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Posted by Charmaine Smith Ladd
on August 9, 2009, 6:08 pm
75.249.30.117
It tickles me that the news hails the passing of House Bill 1423 as the savior of saving our anchoring rights in the state of Florida. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cruisers were already protected by State Law from being asked to move on and not anchor in Florida waters. The only thing HB 1423 really did was to establish that Pilot Programs would be set up in five locations in the State. These areas will prohibit anchoring outside of mooring fields. Cruisers will be allowed to anchor, as they are boats in transit and are protected under Maritime Law and the Right to Navigation. But those boats which are deemed "liveaboard" as the state of Florida defines it (a vessel that does not move and or is used strictly as housing or a place of business) are not protected. They can be asked by local jurisdictions to move along or relocate when in Florida waters.
I fought hard against HB 1423 because it opened a door we shouldn't have allowed to open. This will be just the beginning of the Pilot Programs. They will be popping up all over. I still believe in the right for anyone to anchor and stay as long as they want. Enough land has been eaten up and the last bastion of freedom we have for adventure is the water. Now we've let them regulate that too. It's a shame that more people didn't see the big picture here and fight for their rights to the water. But most didn't, so we're stuck with the five Pilot Programs.
It was recently announced that one of the five Pilot Programs will be established in Monroe County. So the big question is where in Monroe County will the powers that be put in a Pilot Program? My guess is Key West.
Boot Key Harbor does not need interference from the EPA when it comes to what we do in our Harbor. I just cannot see those in power wanting outside agencies telling them what to do. We're very laid back in Marathon. We are the heart of the Keys. We know that there are many liveaboards in our workforce who have made Boot Key Harbor their home and who are not a bother to anyone. It would be a big mistake for Boot Key Harbor to be a part of the Pilot Program. This is a voluntary participation Program...we can say NO when they ask!!
I have a feeling that as long as Richard Tanner is Harbormaster, liveaboards in Boot Key Harbor have nothing to worry about. He's a good man with a good heart and he's a boater too. I trust that Harbormaster Tanner has everyone's best interest in mind. Let's hope the City of Marathon can see that having Boot Key Harbor as a Pilot Program site would be inviting rules and regulations we simply do not need. We're just fine the way we are!
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