Hi all! Looking for Some Info

[luvkraft]

Hi all! New here. I'm looking for information about legal considerations for living on board a sailboat off the west coast of FL near the Tampa Bay area. Any helpful links would be appreciated! Thanks in advance and have a great weekend!

[skipmac]

Hi Luvkraft,

This is a subject that has been covered in hundreds of posts on this and other forums. Here is a link to just one. If you use the search function of the forum using the terms florida and liveaboard or anchoring I'm sure you wil find many more.




http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ida-12343.html

[luvkraft]

Thanks skip. I know - I was hoping someone could help me cut through the chaff and find the most up to date info (yes, I'm cheating!) and maybe be somewhat comprehensive as well. Thanks for the link!

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Luvkraft.

[skipmac]

Well, without more details about your plans or concerns, to cut through the chaff, it is legal to liveaboard a boat anchored near Tampa.

Maybe I misunderstand but it looks like you want someone to give you a comprehensive answer because you don't want to take the trouble to read what is already there? I apologize if I am not reading your question correctly.

If you have no knowledge of the regulations at all and you want a lot of detail I still recommend you read previous posts. If you already understand the basics and have some specific questions then please elaborate.

[luvkraft]

Thanks Skip. lol... no I am researching it but it's very confusing if you're new to this type of stuff. I'd like to move into a liveaboard lifestyle sometime in the next few years and I'm just starting out with the basics - what laws I need to be aware of. Like you've said - there's a LOT of material out there. A lot is dated. So, I'm just trying to eliminate as much waste of time as I can and legaleeze i find most confusing at times. So if anyone would be so kind as to send links, examples, anything I'll be glad to put in the time to run them to ground.

But, heck, IS there a comprehensive answer anyone can provide? Now that you brought it up, does such an answer exist? A man can hope, can't he? If not, well then I'll keep digging. A little disheartening to read through something only to find it was dated 2000, 2001, etc., and wonder if it's even applicable anymore. I hope that explains a bit more.

[luvkraft]

Thanks James!

[skipmac]

A fully comprehensive answer would fill a book. State of FL has regs, the feds have regs.

Some places to start.

1. You have to have to have a holding tank to hold your waste
2. Boat has to comply with USCG safety regs
3. Certain areas are designated mooring fields in FL and you can't anchor there.
4. Have to be USCG documented or FL registered.

[skipmac]

Also, you have to be clear of any channels and it would be wise to anchor away from any high traffic area.

Don't forget to have a legal anchor light.

This should be enough to start and insure that at least you probably won't get arrested.

Other states have other rules. Last I heard, state of GA doesn't allow liveaboards at all.

[luvkraft]

Thakns again skip. That looks like a great place to begin. From my initial investigation I was noting a fantastic mesh of regulations, local ordnances, cautionary tales, etc., with wildly varying time stamps. I suppose in the end I will resort to what I seem to do best ... trial and error. I really hope to avoid a "trial", if you know what I mean...

[zeehag]

look at the manatee river as an anchorage--is mud--therefore holding is great, and no one bothered us while e were there. if ye needs a dock, dunno that one..i just know the manatee river--we used it for hanging out while cruising....

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard CF

[Dkdoyle]

There are many liveaboards in tampa bay area.
Slips are reasonable at the moment. You can anchor out but thats a hard way to go and very hot this time of year.

[Dkdoyle]

Fla law recently changed. You can anchor for a couple nights but then have to move. Better then it was since they used to chase you off