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    • A Sailor’s Perspective in Florida House Bill 437

      Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for sharing his letter concerning delinquent vessel removal and anchoring restrictions in a bill currently before the Florida House. Ted is an experienced boater with many hours on the East Coast waterway and in ICW anchorages. See BoatUS: Florida Anchoring Rights Eroding?

      Dear Sirs/Madam:

      My name is Tadashi Arisaka, I am a proud citizen of the USA, resident of South Carolina and a USCG credentialed Master mariner and travel all along the East Coast of the USA on our 42 foot sailboat.
       
      I am writing to you today as I am troubled by FL HB 437.
       
      I fully appreciate the problem with abandoned and derelict vessels in Florida.
      I fully support existing Federal regulations from the Clean Water Act that prohibit overboard discharge of waste.
       
      However, HB437 banning overnight anchoring in Biscayne Bay won’t solve these problems and but only hurt law abiding mariners.  Anchoring is considered part of navigation and free navigation of our waterways is a long standing right of mariners.  Furthermore, what is troublesome is that the burden of the proof of innocence will be placed upon the accused, which is contrary to how I believe it works here in the United States of America.
       
      For this reason alone, HB437, while well intentioned, will be unenforceable and a waste of taxpayer resources.  I suggest you engage various stakeholders, including mariners, to develop a more realistic approach to addressing this admittedly complex issue.
       
      Thank you,
      Tadashi Arisaka

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. G King -  April 5, 2024 - 5:26 pm

        Those poor mansion owners.
        They can't abide looking at our anchored sail boats.
        I'll call my State Senator and let them know those of us in Central Florida will be next to
        be banned from our favorite anchorage.

        Reply to G

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