Anchorage Restrictions

[Group9]

As a former Florida resident, my take, is that the thing to remember about Florida (especially as related to anchoring restrictions) is that it is really two different states.

North of St. Pete and the pan handle are still mostly native Floridians, with the native Floridian (and, mostly laid back) attitudes. South of there is increasingly populated with New York and New Jersey escapees, who bring their completely different set of attitudes with them.

 

[twistedtree]

The problem in San Diego is the number of boats anchored outside the breakwater. When the winter storms hit, some of them break loose and wind up on the beach at North Island. With no paper trail, the cost of removal falls on the U.S. Navy (read taxpayers.)

Wouldn’t those boats be registered if documented, and hence have a paper trail? And if not properly papered, ticketed and dealt with by the multitude of enforcement agencies in CA waters?

 

[twistedtree]

The same thing is happening here on the "other" coast.



In Maine the problem is the proliferation of "destination" moorings. Even a remote anchorage falls within the borders of some town. All you need to do is show up at the town Harbormaster's office and fill out a form, slap down a few bucks, and you're the proud owner of a mooring. This gives you exclusive rights, 365 x 7, to your little patch of water.



If it's in a remote location away from town or shoreside houses, the locals don't care. They're happy to take your token mooring fee. But it means those formerly great anchorages are filling up with moorings which get used just a few weekends every year. The rest of the time, they're preventing legitimate anchoring.



I don't know the solution. Staying in a marina for $100-$150 per night is great when you're on your two-week annual vacation. When you're cruising for months at a time, it can get cost-prohibitive.

The solution seems simple, or at least it works here in Mass. A mooring needs to have “habitual use”, as one would expect of a mooring. It’s not just a place to tie up for an hour or day.

 

[CaptTom]

The solution seems simple, or at least it works here in Mass. A mooring needs to have “habitual use”, as one would expect of a mooring. It’s not just a place to tie up for an hour or day.

Ironically, most municipalities (and the state of NH) have similar rules. Often, the mooring holder has to identify the one boat allowed to use the mooring. It has to use that mooring for a minimum of x weeks per year. No other boat may use it. The mooring permit is revoked if these rules are broken.

They're pretty much ignored. The town doesn't have the resources to check on any but the visible moorings right off the town dock, unless a shoreside property owner complains. They're not likely to turn away a source of revenue. And in all likelihood, these moorings are used by the neighbors, friends and family of the harbormaster, the harbor commission and the town council or selectmen.

So some cruisers from "away" can't anchor any more. Why should THEY care?