Palm Beach police boat removal: 50 violations, 15 vessels towed from Lake Worth Lagoon
by Sophie Pendrill
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 8:28 AM
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The debate over boat removals in the Lake Worth Lagoon is intensifying, after Palm Beach police announced they are moving beyond warnings and actively towing vessels under a new anchoring ordinance. (WPEC)
PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The Palm Beach Police Department has been actively working to enforce new vessel regulations in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
The Town of Palm Beach approved the ordinance in November, under which vessels can no longer anchor within town waters for more than 30 days within a six-month period, and illegal moorings are strictly prohibited.
During a Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, officials gave an update on the recent enforcement actions since the latest Town Council Meeting, which include:
21 vessels have been identified for enforcement action.
16 Notices of Violation have been issued, bringing the total to 50.
Three citations have been handed out for illegal moorings.
7 vessels have been removed and towed, totaling 15 vessels removed so far.
The number of vessels currently within Town jurisdiction has decreased to approximately 70, down from 168 during initial enforcement efforts.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is engaged in managing four derelict vessels identified in collaborative actions.
Officials stated that these enforcement initiatives are aimed at ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws, addressing issues such as unlawful anchoring, derelict vessels, and environmental hazards that affect the Intracoastal Waterway.
Key objectives of the enforcement efforts include:
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Tracking and monitoring vessels that exceed the 30-day anchoring limit.
Confiscating illegal mooring balls.
Addressing live-aboard activities that do not comply with the Town Code.
Taking action against derelict or abandoned vessels.
Reducing navigational hazards in the waterways.
Tackling environmental and sanitation concerns in the Lagoon.
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This YouTube image reveals the demographic the authors were seeking to capture. Be skeptical.
You can say this: That YouTube AI master in Slovenia really knows how to push our buttons. For 20 minutes, you watch and listen to a seemingly plausible argument that international regulators are using algorithms and bureaucratic trickery to sideline older sailors and solo sailors.
The regulators, you see, are conspiring with Big Insurance.
The channel is Yachts & Boats. The video is entitled: “The ‘Solo-Sailing’ Ban: Why New 2026 Regulations Target Older Captains.” This from the video summary:
The era of the independent solo mariner is under a coordinated, systematic attack. New 2026 maritime regulations are now being weaponized to target a specific demographic: the experienced, older captain who values the absolute freedom of the open sea. By exploiting the fine print in “Physical Competency” mandates and aggressively redefining COLREG Rule 5—the “Proper Lookout” clause—international regulators are effectively engineering a solo-sailing ban. These bureaucrats claim this is about safety, but the cold reality is that insurance conglomerates are using these rules to force “high-risk legacies” off the water, clearing the way for a more controlled, corporate-friendly maritime environment.
In this deep-dive investigation, we expose the “Article 14 Amendment” and the secret “Lloyd’s Pivot” of 2025 that began pricing independent sailors out of their own passion. We break down the invasive “Solo Surcharges” and the new AIS-tracking technology used to flag older captains who dare to maintain a traditional, independent watch. You’ll discover why a veteran with 40 years of sea-sense is now legally considered a liability, while a novice with a “certified” sensor is the industry’s new golden child. This isn’t just a policy change; it’s a calculated assault on the last frontier of human independence. Learn the truth about the 2026 mandates and how you can maintain your mechanical and legal sovereignty before the door to solo-sailing is locked forever.
To ensure maximum credibility, the guy from Slovenia used an old marketing trick that has been proven to work on American audiences. His AI narrator has a British accent. (If only you knew some of the Brits I have known!)
The problem with the narrative is that it doesn’t contain a single checkable fact, at least not that I could discern. I emailed the guy in Slovenia for copies of documents upon which the video is based and received no reply.
For a reality check, I asked Loose Cannon friend Sean Welsh to watch the video. The retired telecom/satcom professional and full-time cruiser is the go-to guy for answers to regulation questions. Welsh said:
There is no “Marine Transport Authority” as appears in a “safety circular” and I could find no such circular. I found no “Article 14” anywhere nor any “Physical Competency” standards.
Of course, we merchant mariners are required to pass routine physicals, and any number of things will cost us our tickets. But none of that applies to private owner-operators. Even in the U.K., where proficiency must be demonstrated to operate private vessels offshore, I found nothing.
To their credit, many who commented on the video made the same points.
A sampling of other videos on the Yachts & Boats channel.
There are a slew of other videos on the Yachts & Boats channel, so you might assume that they are equally questionable. Yet, as a former Catalina 22 owner, I found nothing amiss in it’s treatment of the 22’s history.
My assumption is that the Channel owner fed AI a bunch of magazine articles on the subject, and a narrative was thus regurgitated. Some human with graphics sophistication ensured that AI didn’t include stupid illustrations (as it is wont to do) in making the video.
The offending video is included here, not to drive up the channel’s numbers per se, but to show what we are up against as media consumers in the 21st century.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
The City of Gulfport and Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always has a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
MARCH 2026 Gulfport History Museum & Gulfport Arts Center Newsletter
Gulfport Arts & Heritage is seeking board members Are you interested in Gulfport history and culture? Do you have ideas for expanding Gulfport Arts & Heritage’s programming and membership? Consider joining our board of directors! Send a statement of interest to amanda@gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.
Documenting Stillwagon Murals With the restoration of a Keith Stillwagon mural underway, Gulfport Arts & Heritage is assisting in an effort to identify and document murals by this iconic artist located throughout town, and help property owners find resources for restoration. Do you own a Stillwagon mural, or know someone who does? Contact amanda@gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.
March Porch Party: 3/20
The Mysterious Origins of Florida Friday, March 20 at 7:00 PM at the Gulfport History Museum Please let us know if you’re attending! Your RSVP allows us to provide enough space, seating, and refreshments for everyone.
Florida is so much more than what we see. It’s one of the most incredible pieces of property on the planet Earth. Created out of the collision of continents, it was then torn apart when the Americas were ripped away from Africa. This is a tale of powerful forces and deep time. This is a story of massive earthquakes, volcanoes, and asteroid impacts. This is a chance to discover the real depths of Florida’s very beginnings.
Gulfport Arts & Heritage is thrilled to welcome our neighbor, Hermann Trappman. Trappman’s journey began when his family relocated to Florida from Rochester, NY. His fascination with fossils was sparked when he found a mammoth toe bone in a construction site at the age of nine and Indian arrowheads on his elementary school playground. Since then, he has been on a lifelong quest to uncover Florida’s geology, ancient creatures, and indigenous people. His artwork can be found in museums and parks throughout the Southeastern United States, in films, books, and publications.
This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the program begins at 7:00pm.
Original Gulfport Walking Tour: 3/14
The next historic walking tour is Saturday, March 14 at 3:30 PM and starts at the Gulfport History Museum.
Join Gulfport Arts & Heritage on a stroll through history in the heart of Gulfport. The tour lasts for approximately 1.5 hours.
$15 for non-members, free for GAH members. Registration is required. Check in begins at 3 PM on the museum porch. Please note the museum will be closed. Public restrooms are available in Chase Park.
Did you know that you can browse and search hundreds of photographs, postcards, and objects from the museum’s collection online? The catalog is updated regularly and is available to view 24/7.
See someone or something you know? Have a story? Share your knowledge with us and the community by emailing HistoryMuseum@mygulfport.us. Email links are also available at the bottom of each entry in the catalog.
We are asking for donations of recyclable goods in preparation for a TBA kids and family art event in collaboration with Eckerd College’s Gulf Scholar Program, centering on creating art with trash often discarded on shorelines.
Donations may include bottle caps, soda tabs, soda rings, plastic or aluminum lids, plastic bottles, egg cartons, wrappers, plastic or mesh bags, plastic fruit containers, snack boxes, toilet paper rolls, plastic straws or cutlery, etc.
Donations may be dropped off at the Gulfport Arts Center during open hours.
All workshops listed are FREE and all materials are provided!
Registration by email is REQUIRED in order to participate in adult workshops as space is limited. Registration for kids workshops is encouraged, but not required, otherwise space is first-come-first-serve.
Jumbled Collages – Adult Workshop FRIDAY, 3/6 @3pm-4:45pm Craft an eclectic collage with jumbled strips of paper.
Foam Stamps – Kids Workshop WEDNESDAY, 3/11 @12:45pm-2pm THURSDAY, 3/12 @5pm-6:15pm Kids will get to make their own stamps with craft foam and create colorful prints with them.
CD Etchings – Adult Workshop THURSDAY, 3/19 @1pm-2:45pm Etch your own design into a CD, then, print with it using our etchings press.
Sock Puppets – Kids Workshop WEDNESDAY, 3/25 @12:45pm-2pm FRIDAY, 3/27 @5pm-6:15pm Kids will combine art and play by constructing an expressive sock puppet.
OPEN COLLAGE GROUP MEETUP
BIMONTHLY, EVERY 1st & 3rd SATURDAY @3pm-5pm
MARCH – March 7th & 21st
Join us for an afternoon of collage-making with all materials provided, completely FREE! Bring your own ephemera to share or swap with others and get to know like-minded creatives in a laid-back atmosphere.
Email us at ArtsCenter@mygulfport.us to be added to our optional RSVP list and receive bimonthly reminders.
A snapshot overview of our last collage meetup of the month of February.
OPEN STUDIO HOURS
Anyone 13+ can use our studio space to work on their own personal art projects during open hours. Studio space is provided on a first-come-first-serve-basis, reservations are prohibited. Artists must bring their own supplies.
Members of the RMHYS enjoy special and beautiful times together in Abaco’s. Membership is open to all. ” Give ’em a shout. You will be glad you did. If you are cruising the Bahamas this winter, consider joining Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, a premier yacht club in the Abacos and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
Did you know?……The Bluff House is now offering RMHYC members a discount on transient dockage in 2026.
For 2026, the Bluff House Marina on Green Turtle Cay is offering a discount on dockage to active RMHYC members. You can find out more details on our club website at Marina Partners Bahamas North. Don’t forget to login and scroll down. When you make a reservation be sure to tell them you are with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club.
There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
Morro Castle guards the entrance to Havana Harbor. (Photo by Peter Swanson)
THIS WEEK’S knuckleheaded attempt to overthrow the vestiges of the Castro regime has once again focused our attention on the fascinating and seriously effed-up island nation that sits astride so many Caribbean cruising routes.
No, Cuba did not want a gunfight, not in the middle of its worst crisis since the Soviet Union pulled out of the place in September 1991.
Given events, I thought this would be a good time to showcase what has to be the most thoughtful coverage of things nautical in Cuba. Here are links to 11 stories, including a couple historical pieces, about maritime Cuba.
There is also a link to my novella “Hemingway: Hunter of Men,” a fictionalized account of the author’s involvement in a political assassination, much of it set in Cuba when the man was hunting German UBoats.
Enjoy, and know that there will be more Cuba stories to come. Consider the stories in this package—none of which are behind a paywall as of today—as an appetizer and an incentive to upgrade your free subscription to paid.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
Spring is on the horizon, and there’s no better time to explore the natural beauty, rich history and small-town charm of Camden County, NC.
We know the perfect way to start your spring story:
Bloom into the Outdoors ~ Stroll scenic boardwalks and paddle peaceful waters along the Dismal Swamp and Pasquotank River. Have your camera ready to capture wildlife sightings and the first blooms of spring.
Step into History ~ From Revolutionary roots to local legends, discover the people, stories and places that shaped our region at the Camden County Heritage Museum. #America250NC
2026 “Capture Camden, NC” Photo Contest ~ Calling all photographers! Submit your best shots showing off nature, people and places that make Camden County unique. Contest opens March 1st and runs through May 21st. We want to see Camden through your lens.
Follow us on:
Plan your visit today and let Camden County be the beginning of your spring story.
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
This is a Pro Line 24, one possibility for the boat involved in the shootout. Is this the boat you would choose to take 10 men across the Florida Straits to Cuba?
As most readers are by now aware there was a gunfight yesterday off the North Coast of Cuba involving Floridians. Naturally, some Cuban-American congressman in Florida immediately jumped up and called it a “massacre.”
Cuban Coast Guard personnel had shot up a Florida registered boat, killing four men. The congressman and others cried out for revenge.
According to Cuba, their patrol boat had challenged the Florida boat when it was one nautical mile from the Cuban coast. Cuban authorities said that there had been 10 men aboard, six of whom had survived. All of them had been wounded and taken to hospitals.
Personally, I tend to believe the Cuban government’s assertion that the Florida boat fired first. That’s because the junior officer commanding the Cuban patrol boat—who is said to have been wounded in the initial fusilade—would not have had the authority to initiate any action with geopolitical consequences.
He—probably a he—would have had a broad authority to deal with misbehaving Cuban citizens, but if he were able to see the FL 7726 SH registration on the boat’s bow or even suspected American origins, given her position just 30 miles south of Cay Sal, the rules of engagement likely would have been: Do not fire unless fired upon.
Cay Sal is a regular rest stop on the people smuggling route between the mangroves of Cuba’s North Coast and South Florida.
Various political figures in the U.S. called for an investigation, including the assertive Florida attorney general, James Uthmeier. Captain Obvious observed that “the Cuban government cannot be trusted.” Okay, right. However, with Cuba starved for fuel, food and medicine, and the U.S. military racing around the world in sixth gear, the Communists can probably be trusted not to make a move tantamount to state suicide.
The Cuban government identified the men as Cuban citizens living in the U.S. That is likely because Cuba considers anyone born in Cuba to be Cuban citizen regardless of the status they may hold in another country.
One of the men killed was identified by the New York Post as Michel Ortega Casanova, a truck driver and U.S. citizen living in Miami. His brother said Casanova, who had been in the U.S. for 20 years, “fell into an ‘obsessive and diabolical quest’ for Cuba’s freedom,” according to the Post.
According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, which oversees the secret police and Coast Guard (and all fire departments, too), the men from America had military style weapons, improvised explosive devices, body armor and camouflage clothing. Cuba labeled them terrorists and said that most had criminal histories.
(One news account posited that the men were actually on a mission to rescue family members from oppression and bring them back to Florida, but that seems unlikely, given the number of men already taking up space on the small vessel.)
As described, this scenario was a replay of the 1960s, when Cuban exiles from South Florida snuck into Cuban waters aboard small craft, attacked Soviet ships on the docks and machine-gunned oceanfront resorts. The attackers were often trained and funded by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Christopher Baker is a travel guide writer, photographer and bonafide Cuba expert. Baker put yesterday’s incident in historical perspective, writing:
I recall being in Havana during the 1997 hotel bombing campaign directed by Cuban-American arch-villain and ex-CIA agent Luis Posada Carrilles that killed an Italian tourist, Fabio DiCelmo. An unremorseful Posada Carrilles proudly admitted responsibility during a 1998 interview with the New York Times, sneering that DiCelmo “was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Carrilles also masterminded the bombing of Cubana Aviacion flight 455 that killed all 73 innocent civilians aboard in 1976.
Which brings us to the vessel in question—a 1981 Pro-Line that is maybe 23 or 24 feet in length. So far, the Cubans have not released a photo of the actual vessel, so we don’t know if its the center-console or the walk-around cuddy model. Either way, and maybe this comes from too much Hollywood, but if the CIA were sponsoring a covert mission today, wouldn’t the agency find something bigger and newer than an ancient Pro-Line?
The inshore waters near where the fight happened are well suited to a paramilitary staging area. Without a major port nearby, the waters are not heavily traveled, and there are numerous mangrove cays for concealment. Also, the nearest town, Corralillo does not lie directly on the water (even though it was the port of entry for the 18th century slave trade).
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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