Anchoring Laws in Florida

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by GordMay

How often have you been told to move along, and presented the BoatUS document?
To what effect?

I second this question on who has been approached and asked to move along and gotten to stay because they had a copy of "the law"!

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

Just got rousted from Belle Isle North anchorage after three days, some very young cop with an Austrian accent told us we were not in an anchorage. We told him we already spoke at length with the police at the station and that they told us we were fine. He promptly announced that he was the "boss" and wanted us to describe the offending officer. .

Haven't been visited by the authorities there the last few years. I always anchor off Belle Isle. When Miami Beach first established their by-law they used to visit but were very polite and a bit sheepish about it. They said it was five days if I remember correctly and also said if the weather was bad we could stay longer. I've found the best approach is to smile and listen. The authorities know the legislation better than we do so you're wasting your breath quoting statutes to them. They know what force the local by-laws have but are required to hassle cruisers by their elected masters. No use challenging them, it only gets their backs up. They may be selective in who they approach. Big steel mothers are on their list, Lorenzo.

[AnchorageGuy]

lorenzo, It was probably that red hull that got them all excited. Chuck

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by GordMay

How often have you been told to move along, and presented the BoatUS document?
To what effect?

Happened 2-3, the last time to our sailing club raft-up in Lake Sylvia. We asked the officer to present the city statute saying we cant anchor there, and he said nothing. I provided the laminated printout and they then said they're doing head inspections. We were all buttoned up and they left. Frustrating as all hell since it took about 2 hours to inspect all boats in the raftup.

I'm finding that this season, however, they're being less pushy...especially since more and more people are prepared with knowledge rather than attitude.