Moorings and Anchoring

Anchoring: Many yachts opt to anchor in the wide basin in front of Sam’s Tours (in about 75ft/25m average depth).  Please refer to the Yacht Harbor Photo provided with this pack to see where to steer clear of the reef upon entry to the basin and where anchoring is not permitted by Sam’s Tours.  Yacht owners should be prepared to move their vessels in the event of strong southwesterly winds when the anchorage can become quite rough and untenable. 

Welcome Mooring: RBYC hosts one mooring exclusively for the use of incoming yachts.  Newly arrived yachts may tie to this mooring, if vacant and preferably requested in advance, for up to a maximum of 48 hours. All other moorings are privately owned and not free for the taking.  After using the welcome mooring or anchoring in the basin, you may be able to make arrangements to use a private mooring only with the mooring owner’s prior permission. Even if allowed to use a mooring, you must be prepared to vacate that mooring IMMEDIATELY upon request, no excuses. This can occur at any time, and most likely when strong West to Southwest winds develop. USE OF ANY MOORING, EVEN IF PERMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU MUST INSPECT FOR YOURSELF ANY MOORING YOU TIE TO. REPAIR OR COST OF REPAIR OF ANY MOORING DAMAGED OR BROKEN, REGARDLESS OF PRIOR CONDITION, IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SKIPPER OF THE YACHT ON THAT MOORING.

Non-flashing white lights should be used if you wish to display anchor or deck lighting. Overly bright, flashing or colored lights are annoying to others sharing the anchorage area and can be confused with navigation lighting. Most power boaters do not look up and see masthead lights, but look straight ahead; a deck-level light is more easily seen and works well in the anchorage.

Yachts are to call on VHF 16 to make contact, and then switch to VHF International Channel 17 for boat to boat communications.