The following are the proposed, or what are expected to be proposed, for the locations noted.
Current hotspots are highlighted in red.
The following information on Stuart comes from the PDF sent out by Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Within Stuart
- no anchoring (300) feet outside of the marked boundary of any properly permitted mooring field.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within three hundred (300) feet of any maritime infrastructure.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with operability and safety requirements.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with marine sanitation requirements.
Within Unincorporated Martin County - no anchoring (300) feet outside of the marked boundary of any properly permitted mooring field.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within three hundred (300) feet of any maritime infrastructure.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with operability and safety requirements.
- all vessels shall demonstrate compliance with marine sanitation requirements.
- anchoring and mooring of vessels is prohibited within one thousand (1000) feet of the shoreline in the Indian River Pilot Program Area
To send an email registering your thoughts on these proposed ordinances, click here
According to Boat US -
City of Sarasota Considers Anchoring Limit:
Boaters, Marine and Tourism Interests Urged to Attend Nov 3 Meeting
Boaters, Marine and Tourism Interests Urged to Attend Nov 3 Meeting
Anchoring Restrictions and "Set Backs" on Agenda
SARASOTA,
Fla. October 27, 2011 - On November 3, the possibility of anchoring
regulations for recreational boats will be discussed at a meeting
hosted by city officials. Boat Owners Association of The United States
(BoatUS) says that the agenda will center on proposals to limit the
number of days a boat can remain on anchor as well as to determine a
"set back" limit on how many feet an anchored boat must stay from
private or public land. BoatUS is urging boaters, cruisers and sailors,
as well as those who benefit from visiting boater spending, to attend
this public meeting to have their voices heard. The City of Sarasota is participating as one of five cities in Florida's mooring and anchoring pilot project, which gives the municipality the ability to limit anchoring.
"The challenge is to come up with a solution that works for all parties," said BoatUS Executive Vice President Margaret Podlich. "There is no concrete written proposal to comment on at this time. However, the proposed $18-$25 daily fee at the Sarasota mooring field for visiting boaters in combination with limits on the number of nights you can anchor outside of the mooring field as well the minimum distances from upland property, mean that it is vitally important for boaters to be at this meeting. We don't expect another chance for boaters to be heard before the anchoring plan is drafted by the City."
The meeting will be held Thursday, November 3rd, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers at 1565 Front Street in Sarasota. For more information contact Tony Russo, project manager, at 941-465-2200, extension 6367.
Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Russo at: anthony.russo@sarasotagov.com.
For more background information on anchoring laws in Florida, see the "2011 BoatUS Anchoring Information" sheet at www.BoatUS.com/gov/florida.
To get more information from the Florida Wildlife Commission on the pilot mooring program, go to www.myfwc.com/boating/
St. Augustine - (update, October 24, 2011)
The St. Augustine ordinance can be broken down into general segments and effect.
- Definitions
- Clarifying language
- Set Backs
- Applicable to stored or occupied vessels (See definitions of occupied vessel and stored vessel in ordinance)
- 50 feet from the navigation channel in the San Sebastian River
- 100 feet from mooring field boundaries
- 500 feet from shellfish harvesting area
- 50 feet from marine infrastructure
- Time Restriction
- Applicable to occupied vessels (See definition of occupied vessel in ordinance)
- Applicable after 10 consecutive days in 30 consecutive days (occupied vessel can stay for 9 consecutive days move into mooring field or outside of City boundaries for one day then return for 9 consecutive days. This may be repeated without violating the ordinance)
- Relocate to mooring field or outside city boundaries
- Medallion Program
- Applicable to stored vessels (See definition of stored vessel in ordinance)
- Vessel gets underway twice a year to city marina (February and March)
- Vessel uses its own propulsion system
- Marina staff verifies contact information
- Marina staff verifies ability to get underway
- Free Medallion certifying completion
- Enforcement and Penalties
- Enforcement by St. Johns County Sheriff, City of St. Augustine Police, and FWC.
- Penalties
- First offense: $100.00
- Second offense: $250.00
- Third or subsequent offense: $500.00
Munroe County - the Keys
"designated anchorages" in Boca Chica, Sunset Cove and in Key West
USCGA boat safety examination or similar
Pump out log
St. Petersburg (update, October 20, 2011)
creation of a mooring field in Vinoy Basin. They are proposing 13 moorings in the Vinoy Basin.No anchoring in Vinoy Basin.
There is talk that anchoring restrictions outside of Vinoy Basin will be enacted.
Local police representatives have told this site the City is looking at a possible 30 day time limit.
Local police rep has asked this website for more input on the 'three day mobility' suggestion
mentioned elsewhere on Suggested Solutions page of this site..
Sarasota
up to a five mile buffer zone around the mooring field
mooring field so large it eliminates any possible anchoring in Sarasota
As of October 12, 2011, there are no proposals put forward yet for Stuart/Martin.
Additionally, other cities are installing mooring fields, including Titusville and several west coast locations. That means that these cities can legislate anchoring within the mooring field proper.
Any and all of these proposals that become law will remain in force in their respective jurisdictions until 2014. At that time, the Florida State Legislature can choose to make them permanent throughout the state of Florida. The danger is that these laws will restrict our ability to anchor in the entire state at that time.
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