I bought and moved onto a
trawler about 6 months ago. I had a waterfront apt in
Miami Beach, and the owner still allows my to tie my
tender up to his
dock when i need to go ashore. So I've been hanging out on the hook in a nearby bay. Eventually I plan to move around more, but I'm still getting everything setup exactly how I want (need to add a
watermaker, etc), and I also want to stay close to homebase during my 1st
hurricane season.
However, waterfront homeowners have been calling the
marine police on me. Multiple cops had said i was
legal in my original location, but i got sick of the harrassment so i moved to a wider part of the bay. I'm now 150yards from any shore, but homeowners are still calling every agency on me. City
marine patrol doesnt even come bother me, they tell the callers directly that i am
legal. The other day the coast gaurd boarded me (at request of a homeowner), but i fully passed the
inspection (I have an electro scan).
Then yesterday, an FWC came, and told me I couldn't be there because "there's alot of wealthy people around here". I asked what difference that makes and he got pissed. It was clear they had nothing to complain about (im quiet, my
boat is operational, etc), except that they just dont like the fact that I am there. To my knowledge, and from what the MB police have told me, the only places i cannot
anchor in MB is Sunset Harbor and around the Star Islands (venetian causeway). However, this FWC officer insisted to me that all the other officers/agencies dont know the law and he does. He claims there is a
Miami Beach law that I can only be anchored in "designated anchorages". He was a real jerk about it threatening to "start writing tickets", but i got him to give me a week to move.
Ok then later that day, I flagged down a Miami Beach
boat cop, and he confirmed that he has never heard of any Miami Beach law which this FWC claims exist. This makes me want to stand my ground.
Id rather avoid negativity and conflict, but this seems like a line in the sand. This FWC officer said I cannot
anchor ANYWHERE in Miami Beach except a couple of "designated anchorages". That would be very inconvenient because my
current location is well protected, has a safe place to tie up my
tender, recieve mail/packages, free street parking, as well as a free place to dispose of trash and fill jugs of
water.
Looking for further advise on whether this FWC has a leg to stand on, or if he is just trying to bully me illegally under demand of "wealthy people"?
Also if I challenge this, are there any boater lobby groups, I should contact? I've read that Boat US has fought FL
anchoring legislation in the past.
Thanks!