Shared Use Mooring Systems (SUMS)

All moorings managed by DoT will be marked by a disc secured to the mooring indicating the maximum size SUMS authorised vessel that can safely and legally secure to the mooring. A mooring marked with a red disc is not available for use.

For instructions on how to attach your mooring disc to your buoy, please watch the video below.

To secure to a participating SUMS mooring the vessel must first obtain authorisation from DoT. A SUMS authorisation sticker will be provided and must be placed on the port hand side of the authorised vessel adjacent to the vessel registration sticker.

Vessels authorised under the SUMS can secure to an appropriately marked mooring for their vessel size for a maximum of four hours during daylight or overnight from 7pm to 7am. When accessing a participating mooring a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) holder must always remain on board and immediately move their vessel off the mooring if the mooring licensee or their specially nominated additional user arrives and requests use of the mooring.

It is advised that vessel owners ensure they have their own lines to safely secure to a mooring as there are no guarantees that mooring lines will be available on the apparatus.

Mooring licensee

A recreational mooring licensee may choose to ‘opt-in’ or ‘opt-out’ of the SUMS at the time their initial or annual licence period. Once a licensee has chosen to opt- in or opt-out, they cannot change their status until their next annual renewal is received.

Licensees who choose to opt-in to the SUMS will pay a reduced annual mooring fee and automatically receive free access to other SUMS participating moorings.

Importantly, the mooring licensee and the approved additional user will always retain priority use of the mooring.

Licensees who choose to opt-out of the SUMS will pay the full annual mooring fee and will not gain access to the SUMS unless they obtain authorisation.

Vessel owner

Recreational boat owners can now obtain vessel authorisation to participate in the SUMS through DoTDirect.

Moorings are available in the following Mooring Control Areas (MCA):

• Swan Canning Riverpark
• Mangles Bay, Rockingham
• Peel
• Oyster Harbour, Albany*
• Carnarvon Fascine*

* Less than 10 moorings available in these locations

The number of participating moorings will be dependent on the number of mooring licensees who opt-in to the SUMS at each mooring licence anniversary and availability depends on usage of the mooring by the mooring licensee.  Vessel authorisation does not guarantee access to a suitable size SUMS mooring at all times.

For further information on the SUMS, please read the SUMS brochure, frequently asked questions below or call the moorings team on 13 11 56.

I am a mooring licensee, why should I ‘opt-in’ to the SUMS?

Mooring licensees that ‘opt-in’ pay a reduced annual mooring licence fee (51.5%), receive free access to other participating SUMS moorings and retain priority use of the mooring.

As a mooring licensee how do I know my mooring won’t be damaged?

A disc system, like that used successfully at Rottnest Island, will show the maximum size a SUMS authorised vessel can be to access a participating mooring. The discs are colour coded to assist in the identification of appropriately sized moorings to use.

To ensure there is no damage, larger vessels will not be able to use the moorings. If the mooring licensee has a maximum vessel length of 11.5 metres the mooring will be marked with a green disc for use by SUMS authorised vessels no more than 10 metres in size.

What happens if I return to my mooring and there is a vessel secured to it?

The mooring licensee and an approved additional user retain priority use of the mooring. It’s a requirement for a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) holder to remain on board an authorised vessel accessing the SUMS mooring so it can be relocated immediately if requested by the mooring licensee.

How do I prove I am the mooring licensee or approved additional user?

It is recommended that you keep a copy of your mooring licence certificate on board your vessel to demonstrate you are the licensee. Approved authorised users should use the DoT letter confirming their approval as an additional vessel for the mooring site.

What do I do if a vessel secured to my mooring refuses to relocate?

On weekdays contact the moorings team on 13 11 56 or email maritime.licensing@transport.wa.gov.au to report the issue.

On weekends the Water Police (9442 8600) will assist if possible but always record the registration details of the offending vessel, the number of people on board and the time and circumstances of the incident and secure your vessel to nearest DoT owned courtesy or emergency mooring. Locations for these can be found on Deckee. Call the moorings team on 13 11 56 or email maritime.licensing@transport.wa.gov.au on weekdays to advise which mooring your vessel is secured to and to explain the situation.

What do I do if I lose or damage the SUMS disc on my mooring?

To request a new SUMS disc for your mooring, call 13 11 56 or emailing maritime.licensing@transport.wa.gov.au.

You can also pick up a new disc from the following Driver and Vehicle Services centre locations:  

• Rockingham 
• Mandurah  
• City West 
• Cannington 
• Joondalup 

What penalties apply for someone who does not relocate from my mooring when requested?

A vessel skipper that does not relocate a vessel from a participating SUMS mooring when requested by the mooring licensee or an approved additional user is committing an offence and may be issued an infringement of $200 or prosecuted in court and may receive a fine of $1,000.  Additionally, they risk having their SUMS authorisation cancelled.

If I am secured to a mooring and requested to relocate by the mooring licensee or an approved additional user can I use another SUMS mooring?

Yes, if requested to relocate by the mooring licensee or an approved additional user, you may use the closest available participating SUMS mooring that is a suitable size for your vessel.

Why does an RST holder need to remain on board an authorised SUMS vessel whilst secured to the mooring?

It’s a requirement for an RST holder to remain on board an authorised vessel accessing the SUMS mooring so it can be relocated immediately if requested by the mooring licensee.

Unlike the system at Rottnest Island, where moorings are used as holiday destination moorings, DoT licensed moorings are primarily used for the storage of vessels and failure to relocate the SUMS vessel may negatively impact on the mooring licensee or approved additional users' ability to store their vessel.

What time limits apply to the use of SUMS moorings?

Vessels authorised under the SUMS can secure to an appropriately marked mooring for their vessel size for a maximum of four hours during daylight or overnight from 7pm to 7am unless the licensee or approved additional user requests the use of the mooring. The system is designed for short stays on moorings whilst not being used for vessel storage. Time limits maximise mooring availability to everyone in the system.

Can I use my SUMS authorisation to moor at Rottnest?

No, the SUMS is only applicable to moorings administered by DoT in the five dedicated MCAs.

• Swan Canning Riverpark
• Mangles Bay, Rockingham
• Peel (Dawesville & Comet Bay)
• Oyster Harbour, Albany (Limited moorings)
• Fascine, Carnarvon (limited moorings)

For information about moorings at Rottnest Island visit Rottnest Island | Moorings.

How much does it cost to purchase authorisation?

To view the current fees associated with becoming a SUMS authorised vessel visit Marine fees and payments.

As a recreational vessel owner, if I can’t find a suitable SUMS mooring, what other alternatives are there for me?

If a suitable SUMS mooring is not available, then you may also secure to a DoT courtesy mooring that are located in all mooring control areas. Time limits apply.