We are passionate about connecting people with the Ocean and getting out on the waves on a boat is a great way to do this, but we need to make sure we are protecting our Ocean habitats in the places we choose to stop our vessels.
Traditional anchoring and mooring systems cause damage to delicate seagrass habitats, as the chain drags along the seabed disturbing and damaging the plants.
Not only this, but a heavy concrete sinker block is used to attach the mooring to the seabed, which leaves a large and damaging footprint. The damage done to habitats by traditional mooring systems also makes them more prone to the influence of other stressors.
That’s why we have developed the Stirling Advanced Mooring System, which uses a series of mid-water floats to elevate the chain from the seabed and allows seagrass to grow, undisturbed. To mitigate the issues of attaching the mooring to the seabed, we have worked with anchor manufacturers and mooring service providers to deploy helical screw anchors in their place, reducing mooring impacts even further.
The Stirling Advanced Mooring System is a fully customisable and interchangeable solution, making it suitable for any environmental deployment within the UK. We are currently trialling the design in several places around the UK, with promising results recorded so far.
By finding workable solutions like this, it allows communities to continue enjoying the Ocean whilst having a lesser impact on the environment, allowing both people and nature to peacefully coexist.
To find out what else we are doing to protect seagrass meadows, click here.