Cruisers petition FL Gov. to veto anchoring ban legislation

Date Posted: 2016-03-11

Source: Seven Seas Cruising Association

UPDATE: Florida anchoring ban legislation is now on "the Governor's desk" awaiting a signature or veto. An online petition is collecting signatures to urge Governor Rick Scott to veto the bill – over 1,000 supporters have signed the petition so far. Also, is urging boaters to contact the Governor – see post: ALERT – Florida anchoring ban bill - action needed.

House Bill CS-1051 passed the full Florida Senate on March 7, 2016, 36 yeas to 2 nays with no amendments or discussion. The bill passed the full House on March 4 – 105 yeas to 12 nays.

The Senate had set aside their version of the bill (SB CS-1260) and substituted the House version last week.

Senate members who voted against the bill: Brandes and Negron. House members who voted against the bill: Adkins, Baxley, Harrell, Hill, Nunez, Raschein, Roberson, Steube, Tobia, Trumbull, Van Zant, and Wood.

(Posted Mar. 1, 2016 - edited) Florida House Bill CS-1051 and similar Senate Bill CS-1260 are heading for their final votes, and opponents of this legislation have one more chance to try to convince Senators and Representatives that it will hinder safe navigation through South Florida and set a precedent that could close dozens of safe anchorages there and perhaps throughout the state. HB CS-1051 has been added to the Special Order Calendar for a full "2nd Reading" vote on Thursday (Mar. 3, 2016).

Currently, the legislation would ban overnight anchoring in several popular anchorages in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, with some exceptions. In the House bill, the legislation would sunset when new legislation is enacted as a result of the recommendations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Anchoring & Mooring Pilot Program, with a report due to be completed by January 2017.

Representatives from boating and cruising organizations are against this legislation and have been working with the legislature to either amend them or strike them down – to little avail. Each of the bills have passed through three committees and are being processed to be presented to its respective full chamber for a final vote, which could happen with a day's notice anytime over the coming week or so.

From Phil Werndli of the Concerned Cruisers Committee of Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) (adapted):

Florida House Bill CS-1051 and Senate Bill CS-1260 will now go to the floors of the House and Senate, respectively, where they will be considered within the next two weeks. The boating community stood in opposition to these bills, but unfortunately they each passed through three committees. This legislation provides for a total overnight anchoring ban in Middle River in the City of Ft. Lauderdale, and in Sunset Lake in Miami-Dade County along with three other areas in that county. It includes a safe harbor provision, anchoring rights for fishermen and emergency vessels but prohibits any other anchoring overnight. While the bills are limited to only five anchorages, Seven Seas Cruising Association along with many other boating organizations oppose this legislation.

The main two reasons is that it sets a dangerous precedent that leaves the door open for other communities to add "no anchoring" areas in the future. Secondly, it is premature for these two areas to receive special treatment to create outright bans on anchoring without any state oversight or review. Since the Florida anchoring pilot program will end in July 2017, it is best for these two areas to wait until a statewide policy is created and passed next year.

Please contact members of the House and Senate now to express your concerns. If you are resident of Florida it is important for you to write your representatives now. Links below will allow you to locate your representatives.

You can use the following as a part of your email and you may add anything else you wish – select Senate Bill CS1260 or House Bill CS1051 as appropriate:

“I am a boater and resident of Florida and am writing in opposition to (Senate Bill CS1260 or House Bill CS1051). Boaters who cruise Florida’s waterways have a right to reasonable opportunities to anchor our boats for recreation and to stage for longer voyages. This bill proposes to remove five major anchorages in Florida which will have a negative impact on the jobs created by business that rely on these cruisers who purchase fuel, food, supplies and seek repairs of their boats.

Closing these anchorages in South Florida will place an undue burden on cruisers travelling the ICW. The stretch from West Palm Beach to South Miami has few very secure and protected anchorages. The removal of Middle River will reduce safe, protected anchorages by 50% in Broward County. Those passing through will probably not be able to find secure anchorages, be forced to anchor near the ICW and in areas not protected from weather. Unexpected storms may endanger these boats and local property. The Miami anchorages are important resting spots for cruisers leaving for the Bahamas. Again, this will force cruisers into unsafe anchorages resulting risk to boats and other property. Please stop this very bad bill today.“

Find your Senator and Representative:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

For more information please contact:

Phillip Werndli, Member

Concerned Cruisers Committee

Seven Seas Cruising Association

[email protected]

850 519-8398