FL boaters get ready to fight again.....

[Davy J]

Updating this thread since it is sticky.

In addition to house bill HB 7025, which targets derelicts, we now have two bills that ban anchoring in certain areas on the east coast.

HB 1051 authored by Matt Caldwell

And it's companion bill in the senate. SB 1260 authored by Wilton Simpson.

Caldwell is on the State Affairs Committee, and Simpson is on the EP Committee. Those bills will most likely have hearings in those committees first. Here is a list of who is on those committees:

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/EP/

Florida House of Representatives - State Affairs Committee

[Waterway Guide]

Thanks Davy. This was posted elsewhere, but I'll post here too – a bit of background on these specific areas targeted for anchoring bans: https://www.waterwayguide.com/latest...horages-update

[Boatguy30]

Some of these are special "water ski" areas. Seems strange to ban anchoring at night as you don't typically water ski at night.

[Davy J]

Update 1/16/2016

HB 7025 (derelict vessels)

the bill has been referred to the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. On the agenda for Jan 20, 2016

HB 1051 (boating safety zones) (prohibits anchoring in a number of places on the east coast)

Has been referred to the Agriculture & Natural Resources subcommittee (not the same as the appropriations committee mentioned above). Not yet on the agenda, however they also meet on Jan 20.

SB 1260 (companion bill to HB 1051)

Has been referred to the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Commission. Not yet on the agenda but they will also meet on Jan 20, 2016.

Committees:

Florida House of Representatives - Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee

Florida House of Representatives - Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/EP/

[Davy J]

1/20/2016 - Florida House of Representatives

First bill up, HB 7025 (derelict vessels)

Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting:

House Video Player: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee - January 20, 2016

Passes favorably, no amendments were added. Only two people spoke, both waive in favor.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Some of these are special "water ski" areas. Seems strange to ban anchoring at night as you don't typically water ski at night.

Purpose is I believe to prevent either long time anchoring or even cruisers form anchoring for a few days, if I can't anchor overnight, then it's not an anchorage.
But for locals who may want to day sail and go to the beach etc., then they can continue as always.

[Davy J]

HB 1051 will be before the Agriculture & Natural Resources subcommittee on Tuesday 1/26/2016.

If you have not yet done so, now is the time to contact the representatives on this committee. Also, if possible, show up in Tallahassee on Tuesday. The committee will meet at 12:00.

Also worth watching, SB 1300, the companion bill to HB 7025 (derelict vessels) will be on the agenda for the Environmental Preservation committee on Wed. 1/27/2016.

[Waterway Guide]

Unfortunately, HB 1051 passed unanimously in a House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing today. Thanks, though, for all your emails and calls – we haven't lost yet...needs to go through 2 more committees and the Senate Bill (1260) needs to go through three. Anchoring ban bill passes FL House subcommittee located in General | Waterway Guide News Update

[AD28]

well, here's yer loophole:

"This (rule) does not apply to the following vessels:

...Vessels engaged in recreational fishing if persons onboard are actively tending hook and line fishing gear or nets."

just hang a line off your boat, no?

[pwerndli]

UPDATE ON FLORIDA ANCHORING LEGISLATION

A bill in the Florida legislature is proposing to ban all overnight anchoring in Middle River in Broward County;Sunset Lake and three others in Miami/Dade County; and Crab Island in Destin. While this is limited, this type bill opens the door for future amendments which could result in a patchwork of restrictions which would gradually erode anchoring rights. This is so serious a coalition of boating organizations including SSCA, MTOA, AGLCA, BoatUS and others are working together to oppose the restrictions. Here is the current information. The last committee in the house where there is a forum to try to change, amend or defeat the bill is probably going to be next Thursday, although that has not been scheduled. If you are concerned please act now.

An amended version of the HB1051 (now CS/HB1051) passed a committee last week. SSCA and AGLCA members along with our other boating partners spoke against the amended bill which included a safe harbor provision and the ability for law enforcement, government boats and rescue boats to anchor overnight. The overnight anchoring provision remained which we don’t support. We are working to modify that provision. At present calls and emails should be directed to members of the House State Affairs Committee stating the following:

"I am (a Florida resident/Florida tourist) and cruise extensively in Florida waters. I oppose the present language in CS/HB1051 because the bill does not give cruising boats the ability to anchor for a reasonable time while in navigation under federal law. We are also concerned that this bill opens the door for communities to pursue similar legislation without adequate justification which would result in unfair, random and unreasonable anchoring restrictions. A better way to address the issues in these areas is to pursue enactment of a comprehensive mooring/anchoring planning and adoption process that would apply to all communities, not just selected ones.”

Note look at the member list below, if you live in one of the member’s area, you should send a separate note to them stating you are a constituent.

Here is link to the committee website:

Florida House of Representatives - State Affairs Committee

Here is contact information for the committee members

Ben.Albritton@myfloridahouse.gov
Michael.Bileca@myfloridahouse.gov
Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov
Neil.Combee@myfloridahouse.gov
John.Cortes@myfloridahouse.gov
Travis.Cummings@myfloridahouse.gov
Brad.Drake@myfloridahouse.gov
Reggie.Fullwood@myfloridahouse.gov
Matt.Gaetz@myfloridahouse.gov
Tom.Goodson@myfloridahouse.gov
Shawn.Harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
Mike.LaRosa@myfloridahouse.gov
Amanda.Murphy@myfloridahouse.gov
Ray.Pilon@myfloridahouse.gov
Jake.Raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
Irving.Slosberg@myfloridahouse.gov
Dwayne.Taylor@myfloridahouse.gov
Clovis.Watson@myfloridahouse.gov

Phone numbers:

Ben Albritton, Desoto County, 850 717 5056
Michael Bileca, Miami 850 717 5115
Matt Caldwell, Ft, Myers, 850 717 5079
Neil Combee, Auburndale, 850 717 5039
John Cortes, Kississimmee, 850 717 5043
W. Travis Cummings, Orange Park, 850 717 5018
Brad Drake, Marianna, 850 717 5005
Reggie Fullwood, Jacksonville, 850 717 5114
Matt Gaetz, Shalimar, 850 717 5004
Tom Goodson, Titusville, 850 717 5050
Shawn Harrison, Tampa, 850 717 5063
Mike LaRosa, St. Cloud, 850 717 5042
Amanda Murphy, New Port Richey, 850 717 5036
Ray Pilon, Sarasota, 850 717 5072
Jake Raburn, Valrico, 850 717 5057
Irving “Irv” Slosberg, Delray Beach, 850 717 5091
Dwayne L. Taylor, Holly Hill, 850 717 5026
Clovis Watson, Gainesville, 850 717 5020

[Davy J]

2/10/2016

HB 7025 (Derelict Vessels) Appears to have made it through House committees.

It's companion bill:

SB 1300 (Derelict Vessels) is on the agenda of the Appropriations Sub-Committee on General Government 2/11/2016 from 10am to 12

It's next stop would be Fiscal Policy Committee, which will meet on 2/17/2016. It may or may not be on the agenda.

HB 1051 (Bans Anchoring) will next go to State Affairs Committee. It is not yet on the agenda.

It's companion bill SB 1260 (Bans Anchoring) has, at this time, not been brought up by the Environmental Preservation Committee. Next scheduled meeting is 2/17/2016. Meeting Packet is not yet available. Will most likely be available by 2/12/2016.

Not sure if correct, but from what I can tell by the schedule, regular committee meetings are over on March 1st.

[Invictus69]

Just saw this on Yahoo news! Anyone aware that this yacht being reported in the past?

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mummy-look...075437689.html

(was looking if this topic was already posted but didn't find anything, so apologies if it is a duplication)

[StuM]

I think this is the 7th (?) thread that people have started on this subject over the last few days

Try http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-161958.html

[Lizzy Belle]

The mods merged 5 or 6 down to 2 or 3 yesterday ...

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-161958.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ht-162078.html

So this makes at least 4 (or 7 counting merged threads) - I only searched 'mummified' so there could be more

Edit: darn, Stu is a very fast typer

[scuba0_1]

Weird story which ever thread fb or New your reading. Imagine the kids thinking they were about you get paid and than that. Scared for life.

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