Hi Brains Trust,

I recently anchored my boat here and then got a call from department of transport demanding I move it, does anyone know where I could find the regulation or rule that says this spot is an illegal anchoring point?
-32.27239009264474, 115.71516247351394

I was mindful not to anchor in the adjacent mooring fields, I also anchored well enough West that I wasn't an obstruction to boats going in and out of the boat ramp, I checked my nautical maps and there was no reference to it being a non-anchoring area, and even searched regulations for anything saying I cannot anchor there, and came up with nothing, therefore believing its okay to drop the pick.

I then got a call from an officer from the department of transport who informed me I was definitely not in the mooring area, but the area is a waterski area and you cannot anchor in a water ski area. I have no intentions of being the guy who blocks a water ski area, its a danger to my own boat and others, but I was anchored on the edge and not in the way, and this is a 1500 acre water ski area so plenty of room to still ski, plus I would have to go over 1km offshore to be outside of the waterski area which I think is excessive.

My question is, can anyone find any information that dictates you cannot anchor in a waterski area? or specifically the mangles bay area? I have done quite a lot of searching and found nothing that says I cannot, and believe this officer is just making up his own rules. When I asked him where I can go to find the information, legitimately and not to be a smartass, so I could work out where I could anchor, he refused to tell me, instead saying "I am telling you its a rule so its a rule", anyone have an idea where you can get the final ruling on where you can and can't anchor?

Rockingham W.Aust.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_South_Metro.pdf
Apparently this is the updated version of a Rockingham Boating Guide, from your dept of transport.
Comparing your coordinates on GoogleMaps with the above map, it seems you were inside the waterskiing area.

Usually there will be markers onshore and buoys delineating the zones, if they were not missing and you had binoculars.
The map says there are public mooring buoys available to you, otherwise there is nothing apart from mooring and water skiing.

Select to expand quote

FabulousPhill said..
Rockingham W.Aust.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_South_Metro.pdf
Apparently this is the updated version of a Rockingham Boating Guide, from your dept of transport.
Comparing your coordinates on GoogleMaps with the above map, it seems you were inside the waterskiing area.

Usually there will be markers onshore and buoys delineating the zones, if they were not missing and you had binoculars.
The map says there are public mooring buoys available to you, otherwise there is nothing apart from mooring and water skiing.

Thanks Phil, I looked at the same map, I was definitely in the waterski area, what I am trying to ascertain though it if you can anchor in that area. The only thing on that document was you cannot anchor in fairway or channel, and I cannot find anything that defines a fairway as a waterski area (classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg/nwr1958274/)

Additionally that map uses the T markers that indicate areas that are excluded from anchoring, and the yellow area of the waterski area is not surrounded by that marker type. The map specifically calls out you cannot anchor in a mooring, but does not state waterski area. So unless a subset of a fairway is a waterski area, there is no rule against it, so to be thorough I did check this as well and there is no definition in the regulations of what is a fairway is, and on other nautical maps fairways are explicitly called out or assumed to be the areas around a boat ramp or end of a channel, so is a fairway legally a waterski area? And are the only places you cannot anchor according to DoT transport maps those areas that are moorings, channels, fairways and special areas surrounded by T markers?

You obviously shouldn't anchor in a waterski area, because it is on the map as a waterskiing, transiting area without hindrances such as anchored yachts. We can't have a cake and eat it too. That yellow area is for waterskiing - nothing else. No anchoring in the mooring area, but as a concession there are courtesy moorings. You can anchor on the white and light blue areas except for mussel farms, etc. And obviously we can't anchor in Navy jurisdictions or within about 500m of a commercial jetty (post 9/11 security provisions).

I suppose there would be in legislation/regulations the coordinates of waterskiing areas, just like marine national parks, and the rules about what you can and cannot do in that delineated area. So, only waterskiing in marked waterskiing areas. And vice versa, no waterskiing in your favourite anchorages either. My understanding of a 'fairway' is a transiting area, not to anchor.
But there are many other places to anchor, plus the courtesy moorings at this popular harbour.

Seems a bit overzealous of DoT considering a small ship has been anchored in the middle of the "waterski area" for years

Select to expand quote

longwinded said..
Seems a bit overzealous of DoT considering a small ship has been anchored in the middle of the "waterski area" for years

My thoughts exactly longwinded, at $60 a day, for at least 5 years that I know of, that's about $110k worth of fines if that is an illegal spot to anchor. Seems the rules apply to sum but not others.

@fabulousphil The courtesy moorings are only for 4 hours max, or overnight from 7pm to 7am, so do not suit my purpose, and anchoring outside of the 1500 acre waterski area is over 3kms offshore which is a treacherous trip in a 4hp inflatable tender with kids, especially when the wind there averages 22knots offshore most afternoons.

I don't want to be the guy who is an obstruction to genuine water skiers, but its a massive area of over 1500 acres which covers the prime anchorage spots in the entire bay, no clear regulation that explicitly stipulates you cannot anchor there, and as longwinded pointed out, precedent shows other boats anchoring right in the centre of the waterski area for over 5 years with no issue.

Jake, just for clarification, the courtesy moorings are 72hrs max.

Select to expand quote

Toph said..
Jake, just for clarification, the courtesy moorings are 72hrs max.

thanks toph, I had read that they are for use for 72hours max, but you cannot leave your vessel for more than 4hours unattended according to www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_G_Boating_South_Metro.pdf so again, still don't meet my needs.

Soon the changes will be implemented where if you are mooring owner you can pick up any of the moorings in the area with the correct coloured disc on top if you are part of the mooring program, which I have been allocated, but those are the ones that stipulate 4hrs max except for 7 to 7,

Interesting discussion.
We used to launch a Hobie 16 in Hiilaries boat Harbour launch ramp. To get through the 5 knot restricted area and into open water was very difficult in a strong breeze. Got chipped by the water police a few times. On one occasion we had to drift out backwards ( got to be 500 meters)to satisfy one officious clown, to keep the speed below 5.

Like you I can't see any restriction on anchoring in the water ski area. Johnson's landing in Albany gives one no option if the moorings are full. Either go aground or anchor outside the moorings in the ski area.
lets us know if you find a rule.

Really, what goes through these clowns minds. Who could possibly think a ski area right next to a mooring area is a good idea. I take it wake board boats are banned in WA? Yes?