Yet another demonstaration of how “friendly” Sarasota is to visiting crusiers (grin!)!

For those List members not in the harbor you may not know that 2 nights ago the SPD initiated “Operation Anchor Light.” Reports are police boats moved through the harbor shortly after sunset visiting those aboard that did not have an all around white light, or an anchor light, illuminated. The citation is in the $75 area, and some were told that the owners of the unoccupied boats without the light on would be receiving the ticket by mail. I assume Marine Police Officer Ken Goebel, cc’ed here, participated and is invited to offer any corrections or additional information to our community.
Anchor lights are not required in a designated anchorage, but as far as I know our harbor has never received this official title regardless of it’s status as an anchorage for decades. Maybe even a century.
Ken

This item perpetuates a popular myth about anchorages. It is simply not correct that `Anchor lights are not required in a designated anchorage’. The ONLY except for the required anchor lights specified in the Nav Rules is for `special anchorages’ that are designated by US law. There are currently only seven such anchorages in Florida waters.
The seven special anchorages are at specific locations in the St. Johns River, Indian River (2 areas), Stuart, Marco Island, Manatee River, and Apollo Beach.
In every other location, including mooring fields, anchor lights are required by federal law.
Gene Fuller