Environmental Resources Management

Proper Mooring Buoy Use

Please maintain idle speed with no wake in the vicinity of the mooring buoys. Watch for swimmers, snorkelers, divers and diver bubbles. Follow these instructions:

• Slowly approach the mooring buoy head-on against the wind or current (whichever is stronger and will have the greatest effect on the boat's course). The mooring buoy pick-up line will be pointed toward you in the direction of the current/wind.
• Never tie your boat directly to the pick-up line as this puts too much stress on the buoy anchor system.

Always connect to the mooring buoy with a line from your boat. To secure your boat to the mooring buoy, follow these steps:

• Cleat off one end of the bowline to the bow.
• Use a hook to lift up the pick-up line. 

• Run the free line of the bowline through the eye of the pick-up line.

• Cleat the free end of the bowline to the bow of your boat.

• With the proper amount of scope, the buoy should not be pulled under the water by the action of the boat. During rough weather, add extra scope to the pick-up line to improve the ride of your boat and reduce wear on the buoy system.
• Use buoys at your own risk! Always inspect the buoy system your boat is moored to. Check that the lines and buoy are in good condition and the mooring system is holding as intended. Report any problems to the mooring buoy program manager at reefs@miamidade.gov or 305-372-6864.

Note: Vessel captains are responsible for the safety of their vessels and passengers. Miami-Dade County assumes no liability for the use of any mooring buoy.