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From: Bob Austin (no email)
Date: Sat Jul 01 2006 - 23:52:38 EDT
This is not really a new "law"--I discussed this with a Captain of Florida
Marine Patrol a number of years ago. Vessels have the right to anchor where
they wish, as long as they don't obstruct navigation. However they do have to
display proper anchor lights and not be a menace to other property.
I lived on Bayou Chico, the principle boating center of Pensacola for a number
of years. It was rare that a visiting boat anchored there--and if they did,
my dock was theirs to use for securing their dinghy. Today I launched my boat
in Bayou Chico--and could hardly get out of the launching ramp area because of
the several dozen anchored boats. Some are left over from Hurricane Ivan,
some are anchored because they cannot find a slip(but that is wearing a bit
thing two years later) and some are anchored and abandoned, because of
hurricane damage. There were also half a dozen liveaboard boats--several did
not appear to be equipt to go to sea.
This is where the rub is--If you are cruising full time, you boat becomes a
"houseboat" or residence in the eyes of the state of Florida. A government
entity can then restrict your anchorage. I don't see anything in this bill
which will really help the transcient boater. I do strongly feel that every
city needs to have a formal mooring area--either an anchorage or a mooring set
up.
The politics can get pretty wild--but a few years ago, several of us got a 2.5
million dollar federal government grant from the federal fuel tax dollars to
build a free mooring transcient dock in Pensacola. The person who had the
master lease on the several marinas down town, found out about this, and
strongly objected. He had enough weight to presuade the city council that
this was a "bad idea"--He would not be able to collect $2 a foot a night from
visiting boats! The views of home owners, certain merchants who might profit
and people who may not like cruisers or liveaboards often prevent us as
boaters from anchoring or mooring in many areas. South Florida has certainly
become a prime example of this--with decreasing marinas due to condo
developement and restrictive mooring regulations.
Unfortunately once a law is passed, it is very difficult to get it
removed--and the transcient boating population does not know about these
projected laws, or even if they do, they are not constitutants to the
politicians who make the laws.
Good cruising to all! Yep stay out of Florida--keep it a secret!
Bob Austin
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