Florida Mooring and Anchoring Pilot Program Survey

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Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
The Florida Fish and Wildlife is looking for input from cruisers on it's Mooring and Anchoring Pilot Program. If you think it's important, you can go to the link here, http://www.myfwc.com/anchoringsurvey and complete the survey. The program is due to expire in July 2014 and the results of the survey may make a difference in any future legislation. Chuck
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
I'm doing one with the hope that we'll make it to Fla this winter.

All U Get

(Edit) I guess the survey isn't meant for wannabees. :D
 
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Jun 3, 2004
71
Hunter 290 Tampa, FL
Yea, it looks like this survey was designed somewhat to help FL continue to use managed mooring fields; all of the questions seemed to be written to highlight the positive aspects of the managed waterways (removal of derelicts, less trash, secure moorings...) without really touching on the impact they had on visiting cruisers or long-term liveaboards who actually use their boats.

While I haven't been able to use my boat much this year (and therefore didn't have much to say about the program), I AM planning to spend the next 5 months cruising around Florida- with many nights 'on the hook' planned in the affected areas (St Pete, Marathon, Key West, St Augustine...). It will be interesting to see how the restrictions and ordinances play out on this trip, and whether or not I will be directly affected by them.
 
Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
Jon and others, At the end of the survey there is a box for you to write comments and you can add anything that the survey doesn't cover. Chuck
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
The problem with 'managed mooring fields' as I see it is: that anchoring in those areas BETWEEN the mooring fields will continue to be a 'crap shoot' subject to the whim and capricious 'local rules' and the 'revenue/extortion/coercion desire' of those municipalities .... AND those areas are simply beyond a 'one day travel' distance on the ICW for sailboats and other 'displacement hulls'. That alone will will 'mandate' that one with a sailboat or 'trawler' MUST be 'tied' to a marina at sundown .... or suffer the consequences of happenstance anchoring in a (now) 'prohibited zone'.

Thanks but no thanks, as my applied practice is to simply BYPASS most of Florida on my way to 'de islands'. Too many stupid 'local anchoring rules', too many landowners who think or assume that they *own* the federal (tidal) waterways just because they own waterway property, with insufficient FEDERAL control and administration of TIDAL waters, etc., ...... and as a US citizen ***I PAY*** in part for these administrations and upgrade to the federal waterways that have been functionally ceded to the 'congenitally greedy'.

Thank you very much; but, I'll continue to spend my $$$$ in the Bahamas, and further south etc. and simply use Florida as a 'port in a storm' to suffer the consequences of landing/anchoring in an area that has obviously become extravagantly HOSTILE to transient boaters (boaters with bucks to spend in the 'local economy') ... simply a 'revenue income source' for such municipalities. I'd state/recommend that those federal waterways in Florida subject to such inane local anchoring laws be DENIED federal funding for waterway management (equal use clause), including BRIDGE 'operation' & maintenance funding, etc. If 'they' want total local control of federal waters, let them spend their own money, not federal funds, for bridge, etc. maintenance, etc. especially if they impede or restrict 'anchoring' on federal/tidal waterways for those who 'travel' upon such FEDERAL waterways.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
SUPERB analysis. Thanks, Rich.

The problem with 'managed mooring fields' as I see it is: that anchoring in those areas BETWEEN the mooring fields will continue to be a 'crap shoot' subject to the whim and capricious 'local rules' and the 'revenue/extortion/coercion desire' of those municipalities .... AND those areas are simply beyond a 'one day travel' distance on the ICW for sailboats and other 'displacement hulls'. That alone will will 'mandate' that one with a sailboat or 'trawler' MUST be 'tied' to a marina at sundown .... or suffer the consequences of happenstance anchoring in a (now) 'prohibited zone'.

Thanks but no thanks, as my applied practice is to simply BYPASS most of Florida on my way to 'de islands'. Too many stupid 'local anchoring rules', too many landowners who think or assume that they *own* the federal (tidal) waterways just because they own waterway property, with insufficient FEDERAL control and administration of TIDAL waters, etc., ...... and as a US citizen ***I PAY*** in part for these administrations and upgrade to the federal waterways that have been functionally ceded to the 'greedy'.

Thank you very much; but, I'll continue to spend my $$$$ in the Bahamas, and further south etc. and simply use Florida as a 'port in a storm' to suffer the consequences of landing/anchoring in an area that has obviously become extravagantly HOSTILE to transient boaters (boaters with bucks to spend in the 'local economy') ... simply a 'revenue income source' for such municipalities. I'd state/recommend that those federal waterways in Florida subject to such inane local anchoring laws be DENIED federal funding for waterway management (equal use clause), including BRIDGE maintenance funding, etc. If 'they' want total local control of federal waters, let them spend their own money, not federal funds, for bridge, etc. maintenance, etc. especially if they impede or restrict 'anchoring' on federal/tidal waterways for those who 'travel' upon such waterways.
 

Eric M

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Sep 30, 2008
159
Island Packet 35 Jacksonville
Thanks for sharing the link to the survey. They have gotten my input. We had been frequent visitors to St. Augustine anchoring out there several weekends a month year round. I looked forward to the creation of the mooring field as I was thinking how nice it would be to tie up vs having to set and retrieve the anchor. After years of trying to abide by the mooring poilcies which don't make it easy to use (you have to go thru the draw bridge twice (once to register, once more to get back to the mooring) for over 75% of the field, we are now trying to avoid staying in the area whenever possible.
 

sd1953

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Nov 8, 2012
30
Endeavour 38 Center Cockpit Ft. Pierce
I've lived in Florida for a while, but only this year as a boat owner. I looked up the "law" in Florida on anchoring. This link shows the law which PROHIBITS local regulation outside the five cities participating in the mooring field program.
http://www.boatus.com/Assets/www.boatus.com/gov/pdf/2013 BoatU.S. Florida Anchoring Information.pdf
So I have to ask, what happened to you trying to anchor in Florida that resulted in the anger I see in these comments, and just as importantly, when did it happen? The law prohibiting local regs is not that old, so I'm assuming (a dangerous thing to do...) that this is not a recent event that has endeared Florida to you. I appreciate your feedback on this.
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
I've lived in Florida for a while, but only this year as a boat owner. I looked up the "law" in Florida on anchoring. This link shows the law which PROHIBITS local regulation outside the five cities participating in the mooring field program.
http://www.boatus.com/Assets/www.boatus.com/gov/pdf/2013 BoatU.S. Florida Anchoring Information.pdf
So I have to ask, what happened to you trying to anchor in Florida that resulted in the anger I see in these comments, and just as importantly, when did it happen? The law prohibiting local regs is not that old, so I'm assuming (a dangerous thing to do...) that this is not a recent event that has endeared Florida to you. I appreciate your feedback on this.
Roger Long wrote some here.
 
Oct 9, 2008
121
Marine Trader Sedan Mystic, CT
I anchored in FL from Ft Myers to Jacksonville and never had a problem. Was never bothered by landowner or law enforcement. The people we met were friendly and as nice as any along the waterway.
 
Aug 8, 2006
340
Catalina 34 Naples FL
I live and sail here in Florida. I am not experiencing any problems here in Naples, ft Myers, charlotte harbor area. even anchor in Marco Island where there was a challenge to local authority. I am not experiencing any aggressive law enforcement on anchoring. But it is at times crowded so if you Northerners prefer to pass by that is fine with me.
 
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