We have a REAL problem developing in Florida in regards to local communities which are flagrantly ignoring that state’s new anchoring law, a prime example of which you will read about below in Captains Mike and Sue’s message. THIS WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF A MAJOR SSECN EDITORIAL SOON! In the meantime, we would really like to hear from as many members of the cruising community as possible who are being hassled when anchoring!

Dear Claiborne
We have now started cruising south to the Florida Keys. We arrived at the small cove anchorage immediately south of the Sheridan Street bridge in Hollywood on Thursday afternoon with a blown alternator. We have been here 2 nights while we caught buses around Hollywood to get the new parts needed . We went off to West Marine on the bus this morning for some more parts and we got back there was a police launch alongside our anchored and tied back boat. They asked us how long we had been here and we said 2 days while we sorted out our problems and the 2 young policemen told us they had received a complaint about us being anchored here (we are not sure but the only thing overlooking this tiny cove is a large building with apartments in it). We apologized and the police told us that Hollywood has a 24hr emergency anchoring policy only. They had not identified us as a Uk registered vessel, asked if we had a cruising permit and we said no – we had a permission to proceed paper from Lake Worth Customs office. The guys were fine with us and pleasant but advised us to move on tomorrow morning. One of the policeman had boarded our boat and for some reason was doing something on the flybridge when we hailed them from the shore.
As we had been ashore unfortunately we did not have the Boat US Anchoring Information form with us. I did say that we thought the law had changed last October to stop councils chasing cruisers off but they replied Not in Hollywood!!
So we thought you may be interested to know that nothing has changed in Hollywood, FL. Funny enough another cruising motor boat has arrived tonight and anchored next to us – we spoke to the people and told them and they said but this anchorage is in all the pilots including Dozier’s!
Anyway we won’t argue with the police in a foreign country to us so we shall be moving on in the morning.
Kind Regards
Mike and Sue Ward
Mainship 34′ JENNY

Be careful about the lack of a cruising permit. If you did not check in with Miami you are in violation of the Customs act and subject to 10 thousand dollar fine. You must check in at customs ports if stopping for more than 24 hrs in their jurisdiction, you really dodged a bullit there, if those cops knew the law, you would have been in trouble. A cruising permit is the proper document to have on board. I researched this very thoroughly with both Miami and Ft Lauderdale offices including downloading the various sections of applicable acts from Gov’t websites.
So, be really careful and cover your butt.
Dennis Mc Murtry

We too were hassled in Hollywood back in the the spring of 2009. The police told us that there was NO overnight anchoring permitted in the jurisdiction of Hollywood.
Neal & Terri Musto

I’ve often anchored in that location and have been bothered only once, and only minimally, the police left after I showed them I had an anchor signal for my rigging.
Things seem to have changed. I may well be there in a few days, I’ll report back if anything happens.
btw, the Hollywood police are fortunate that Terri (above) didn’t take a round out of them, she’s a feisty lady. Just ask Neal!!
Wally Moran
Tartan 37 Abraxas