Calling Florida cruising sailors- Have your say on anchoring program
by Boat US/Sail-World Cruising on 24 Sep 2013
Anchoring in Florida - what works and what doesn’t? - Have your say! SW
In an effort to gauge the success of the Florida Anchoring and Mooring Pilot Program, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting a two-week survey seeking out comment. If you cruise in Florida, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) urges you to make your views known by taking the short survey at:
http://ffwcc.checkboxonline.com/Anchoring-and-Mooring-Pilot-Program.aspx
The deadline to receive comments is October 7.
WHY: BoatUS believes it is important that active, cruising boaters help the state know what works and what doesn't when it comes to anchoring in Florida. Boaters' responses to the survey will help shape the future of the state's anchoring policy.
BACKGROUND: In 2009, Florida enacted legislation that prevented local governments from restricting the anchoring of cruising boats. As part of that legislation, the Commission created a Pilot Program that allowed five local governments to develop local anchoring regulations outside their permitted mooring field, but only after consultation with the boating community and receiving FWC Commission approval. The five municipalities are: City of St. Augustine, City of Stuart/Martin County, City of St. Petersburg, City of Sarasota and Monroe County/Marathon/Key West. Under current law, these pilot ordinances will all expire on July 1, 2014, unless the Florida Legislature extends the program.
For more information on anchoring laws in Florida and the Pilot Program go to:
http://www.boatus.com/Assets/www.boatus.com/gov/pdf/2013%20BoatU.S.%20Florida%20Anchoring%20Information.pdf.
Information from Florida Wildlife Commission on the Pilot Program:
http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring.
About BoatUS:
BoatUS works at the state and federal level to promote boating laws that make sense. In addition to being the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters, BoatUS provides its half a million members with services such as 24-hour on the water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its member-funded non-profit BoatUS Foundation is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Go to www.BoatUS.com for more.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/114914