Raft and mooring permits?

[offmycloud]

About 20 years ago we had a raft and a mooring in front of our house. Now that my kids are old enough to enjoy them I want to put them back out. Does anyone know if I can just stick a raft back out there? Do I need a permit? I know I do for the mooring but not sure if I can get one anymore.
Thanks!!

[Mink Islander]

You need a permit for the mooring but not the raft. See this link for the application. http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/moorings/forms.html

[offmycloud]

That's great - thank you!

[LIforrelaxin]

I am not completely positive on this, but although you don't need a permit for the raft, I do believe they require that contact information be posted on the raft. Such as name and address.

[Mink Islander]

Yes, that's right. You need to have at least your name and phone number on it (a good idea whether req'd or not) and I believe you must have reflectors on all sides too.

[offmycloud]

Thank you - I need to go buy a raft now. I'm going to try that place off 25 just outside Center Harbor. Do you know of a better place?

I think my mooring is still good - just a bunch of cinder blocks. I'm stuck in IL until Memorial Day weekend but fun to plan this stuff.

[Skip]

Yes, that's right. You need to have at least your name and phone number on it (a good idea whether req'd or not) and I believe you must have reflectors on all sides too.

Mink Islander offers sound advice, clearly annotate your contact information and use proper reflectors.

Unfortunately the Administrative Rule that governed swim rafts is currently expired and the title to the rule is being held in reserve until a new and acceptable rule can be put in place.

Some may remember the controversy that surrounded this issue when changes and registration issues arose about this particular regulation. The result is now we have no regulation.

That said, whenever you knowingly place an object, especially a fixed object like a swim raft, in the water you obviously assume some level of civil liability.

Follow Mink's advice and utilize a bit of common sense on when & where you place it, then enjoy! :)

[nightrider]

Reflectors work great on things like ice fishing shanty's because snowmobiles have headlights. Boats DO NOT! Mooring balls and floats beyond 150' from shore, in my opinion, are a safety hazard at worst and inconsiderate of boaters at least. Reflectors, while a great idea, are good only when there is light for them to reflect.

[parrothead]

Could you put solar lights on a raft, or would that make it to confusing for an approaching boater? I have small solar lights in my yard that stay lit through out the night. That would do a good job of highlighting that there is an object in the water. They come in multipacks and have both a spike drive them into the ground as well as a mount that can screwed into a deck.

[offmycloud]

Solar lights a great idea - would have to figure a spot where no barefoot kids hurt themselves. This raft going in quiet cove where barely any boats go during the day much less at night. Also, less than 150 feet from shore.

[KonaChick]

Solar lights a great idea - would have to figure a spot where no barefoot kids hurt themselves. This raft going in quiet cove where barely any boats go during the day much less at night. Also, less than 150 feet from shore.

I'm not sure about lights on a raft..you might want to check into the rules pertaining to rafts before you go do that. I seem to recall another post about lights on the end of docks. I guess what I'm saying is before you invest your time and money into that make sure it's allowed. :)

[offmycloud]

True - I've never seen it before so there must be a good reason why not.

[Mee-n-Mac]

I'm not sure about lights on a raft..you might want to check into the rules pertaining to rafts before you go do that. I seem to recall another post about lights on the end of docks. I guess what I'm saying is before you invest your time and money into that make sure it's allowed. :)


There is a regulation prohibiting lights on docks (and further onshore even !) which may be confused with a boat's navigation lights. Still I see docks with red and green lights on their end. I think solar lights on a raft that's close to shore is a good idea.

So a question for all Certified Safe Boaters - Does the below mean you can't have a white light onshore ?

270-D:7-a Shore Lights. –
No person shall display, at any point on the shore visible from the water, any lights that resemble in color or configuration the required navigation lights of any vessel.
Source. 2006, 283:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007