Well, this is one of the most jaw dropping reports we’ve ever put up here on the Cruisers’ Net. Will this guy ever go away????!!!!

We were stuck in Venice anchored in Roberts Bay in front of the expensive homes sharing their view when the Sheriff stopped by our boat to ask us a few questions. This was the first few days in March 2010 when those terrible north winds were blowing at over 30 knots, a front was on the way with expected cloud to water lightning, possible tornadoes and water spots which is what the Sheriff and I discussed. He was concerned for our safety and most helpful, even suggesting that we move over to the free dock and tie up to be a bit more secure. He said the city wouldn’t bother us considering the weather conditions. Well we moved to the free dock and it still has a sign limiting the time you can tie up there to 18 hours in a ten day period. Now as to why I’m writing this: The water Nazi still lives but is now driving a yellow cab! Here is what happened. We called a taxi to go down on Venice Avenue where we spent a few hundred dollars on meals and goodies to send to grandkids. When we returning to our boat in a cab, we were talking with the cab driver and we mentioned that the sheriff said we should tie up until the storm was over and the cabbie got real quiet (up until this part of the conversation he had been most friendly)until he dropped us off at Higel Park. Not 5 minutes after the cabbie left there was a siren and a police car pulled up and a fellow got out with a camera and proceeded to take a picture of the name on the stern of our boat. He didn’t say a word to us, just took the picture and left. So did we. We got the ‘˜H’ out of there. The water nazi is still operating in Venice, now he is driving a yellow cab and he will still report you even after giving him a good tip. Wish I hadn’t given him that tip, would have felt a lot better if I had stiffed him!
Total time at the dock? Less than 5 hours, no other boats present. Have to wonder what they are thinking at this point; no dockmaster, no mooring balls, just a beautiful city waiting to be explored and an ordinance that will keep some boaters from a wonderful experience and who loses? The city of Venice and their shopkeepers, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
Please note, We love Venice! The people are great, the city is beautiful and that is the only negative we have ever experienced here. We are a shallow draft vessel and usually anchor in 2 to 3 feet of water in Roberts Bay. We shall return!
Capt. Phil & Capt. Linda
`BloMee’ (Sailing Catamaran)

I was surprised at the recent commotion about overnight tie up at Higel Park. We were run out of there years ago by a land cop. The `anchorage’ off the Venice yacht club was full of derelict live aboards. Had an ugly confrontation with a waterski jerk who felt he owned Roberts Bay. Couldn’t reach the Sheriff or the Venice CG station with a 65 foot tall VHF antenna. We have avoided Venice for 10 ish years. Never met any of the `friendly’” great’ people that Capt Phil talks about.
Bill

Would it have been considered out of line to ask him what the issue was and why the sirens and photo? I think most states have laws about when to use a siren and I don’t think they are to take photos. Did you get the name of the Sheriff that told you it would be okay to tie up?
John Meirhofer

VENICE IS LOOKING INTO A PAY DOCKING FACILITY
Georg McCay

We recently stayed at the dock in late Feb.& learned that the city was about to change the regs to 6 hrs. We also read via the Venice News as well as this site that there is a plan to put 14 moorings in the area where the derelict boats are now moored. We shall see when that happens. We agree with Capts.Phil & Linda that the city & its businesses are the ones who will lose out big time on this decision.
Capts. Steven & Diane Koch