Update on Florida’s Anchoring Restrictions Bill
This Florida senate bill restricting anchoring has been much in the news for several weeks, see /?p=147527 and /?p=147397. This update is from Kim Russo on AGLCA’s Forum
Below is an update provided this morning from the team working on defeating the proposed anchoring restrictions in Florida. Thanks to all the Loopers and our Sponsors who have taken steps to help with this issue. We’ve made
a lot of progress!
1. There are 8 days left in the regular session.
2. On the House side, there is currently no remaining bill that includes the anchoring ban. The bill that most logically could have been a vehicle for such a provision passed 119-0 this morning on the House floor (i.e. vote by the full House). This was after the anchoring ban amendment was defeated in its last committee hearing. Therefore, when it was brought up for a vote of the full House (on the floor) it contained no anchoring ban provisions. Unlike last year, no anchoring ban amendment was filed on the floor although our team was poised, ready to respond rapidly ‘¦ as were the House members who have become champions for the boating and cruising
community. That bill is now going to the Senate for a vote.
3. On the Senate side, the bill containing the anchoring ban made it through the 2nd of its 3 required committees 2 weeks ago. With 8 days left, the bill is not currently scheduled for a 3rd committee hearing.
Currently, that 3rdcommittee is not scheduled to meet again, although that could change.
4. We are working continuously to monitor and track every bill and every potential amendment to a bill that could create the anchoring ban. We are in constant communication with a full host of House and Senate members who are with us.
5. At this stage, broad messaging from the boating community to legislators is not an effective strategy. If, however, any threatening bill or amendment emerges, we will again engage promptly with messaging that is tailored, timed and targeted.
6. The boating and cruising community has done a great job throughout this session. It has strengthened its voice and its effectiveness. It has broadened and diversified its sources of messaging. For example, recently
there was effective proactive messaging from the veterans boating community and the Boy Scouts/Sea Scouts boating community that was influential in conjunction with the balance of the boating and cruising community family.
7. We still have 8 days. Readiness is the key.
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
Comments from Cruisers (3)
Anchoring is an act of navigation, as such it is protected by federal law.
Florida’s anchoring ban defies reason, lacks economic sense, and embodies a mis-application of logic. Therefore; it is no doubt a dream-child of misguided, but powerful, environmental-zealots. These Draconian regulations limit legitimate and reasonable pursuits. The boating public’s rightful interests are being overrun by a political movement that treats the earth, and what is at the bottom of the sea with a kind of irrational, religious-sanctity. Boaters do not dis-respect the sea-floor – people have some right to its use – and it is certainly a reasonable assumption that the vast majority of boaters don’t have the destruction of our habitat at heart. Most want a piece of our shared-earth to ensure our safety, security, and tranquility – and there surely is enough law-enforcement in place to oversee the security of anchorages. The problem of course is; the zealots will not give an inch, and scream louder, and devote life-long energy to denying traditional, and time-honored practices to a generation of boaters who respect the sea as much as they do! Boating advocates must relentlessly argue that our goals are every bit more-sensible than those who oppose reasonable land and sea pursuits.
Captain R.S. Viola
So, if I understand your rambling message. The Florida House has chosen not to pass any legislation with changed anchoring restrictions. But that may or may not change. The Senate has completed 2 of 3 required steps to vote on restrictions to anchoring. They have not scheduled action to complete the 3rd step but may do that.
So if the Senate completed 2 steps to increasing anchoring restrictions what are the issues/roadblacks/incentives to address the 3rd step?? Why take 2 steps and not address the 3rd step?? And, should the Senate pass the 3rd step and vote to introduce legislation to restrict anchoring rights does the House need to deal with the proposed legislation before it can go into the books?
This is all very strange and secretive.