Birth of a Mooring Buoy

Mooring buoys protect coral reefs by giving boaters an alternative to anchoring. In Hawaii, a group of volunteers has been installing and maintaining moorings at popular dive sites since the 1980's. Malama Kai Foundation coordinates the process, and accepts tax-deductible donations to help fund the materials and costs associated with installation and maintenance. This video illustrates the procedures for installing the "Hawaiian Eye" version of a mooring, in which a hydraulic drill is used to drill into a lava boulder or the sea-floor. Stainless steel eyebolts, or "pins" are then cemented into the 18" deep holes, and lines with sub-surface buoys are then attached. The buoys are available to any commercial or recreational boaters on a first-come, first-served basis.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• coral reef
• anchor damage
• environmental protection
• ecosystem
• Malama Kai
• Jeff Leicher
• tropical fish
• Hawaii
• underwater drilling
• mooring installation
• marine
• boating
• volunteer
• scuba
• diving
• snorkeling