Nobody wants derelict boats on Florida’s waterways, but the Florida Legislature’s current bills dealing with anchoring issues could eliminate overnight anchoring in large parts of the state. If passed, HB 481, SB 594, and SB 164 would dramatically change where and how boaters can anchor, disrupting cruising traditions and negatively impacting Florida’s marine economy.
These bills don’t just target derelict boats—they threaten the rights of responsible, law-abiding boaters. By restricting anchoring and returning rule-making authority to local governments, the state would create a chaotic patchwork of inconsistent laws that will make navigating Florida’s waters increasingly difficult.
If you boat, sail, or cruise in Florida—whether seasonally or year-round—these bills deserve your immediate attention.
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A Breakdown of the Bills
HB 481 – The 30-Day Rule That Could Sink Boaters
House Bill 481 would limit anchoring to just 30 days in any six month period in counties with a population over 1.5 million or areas designated as a “critical state concern.” The problem? These terms are vague and overly broad, potentially applying to most of Florida’s most popular anchorages.
Consider this: If you’re waiting for a weather window, need to make repairs, or are simply enjoying Florida’s waters, you may inadvertently violate the law just by staying in one place too long. With Florida’s ongoing shortage of marina slips and mooring fields, many boaters have no choice but to remain at anchor longer than 30 days. For example, there are over 500 boats at anchor in Biscayne Bay, some over 100 feet LOA, because even short term slips are not available.
This bill doesn’t address the root causes of abandoned boats—it only punishes responsible boaters who are following the law.
But that’s not all, there’s worse. Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this bill is that it seeks to return anchoring rule-making authority to local governments—an authority that was removed in 2006 for good reason.
In the past, local governments across Florida enacted wildly inconsistent and often extreme anchoring restrictions. Some cities banned anchoring outright, while others imposed arbitrary time limits, requiring boaters to move every 24 to 48 hours. The result? A legal and navigational nightmare for boaters trying to navigate from one stop to the next.
If you overstay under these proposals, you become subject to local rules. If that rule is that you must leave the municipality or county, you have no options, other than to move to a marina or ALA, which in many crowded areas won’t be possible.
By reinstating local rule-making authority, HB 481 will again create a confusing patchwork of rules where what’s legal in one city could be illegal in the next. The challenge for boaters will be immense:
- How will boaters keep track of different anchoring limits in every city?
- Will local police have the resources or expertise to enforce maritime law correctly?
- What happens when transient boaters unintentionally violate rules they didn’t even know existed?
- There are cities such as Miami Beach that will completely outlaw anchoring after 30 days, forcing hundreds of boats to move, but where will they go? Musical Chairs is a child’s game, not a process that creates a good outcome.
Returning anchoring decisions to local governments is a step backward, undoing nearly two decades of progress in fair and consistent maritime regulation.
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SB 594 – Expanding No-Anchoring Zones Around Seaports
Senate Bill 594 (SB 594) would impose a 5,000-foot no-anchoring zone around seaports, including:
- Port Miami
- Port Everglades
- Port Canaveral
- Port of Tampa Bay
- Port of Jacksonville
- Port of Palm Beach
- And many more
This broad restriction may violate federal law, which generally allows anchoring unless specifically prohibited by the Coast Guard or other maritime authorities. Furthermore, SB 594 provides no justification for these restrictions.
Why should boaters be forced to avoid these waters when there is no evidence of safety, security, or environmental concerns? This bill doesn’t distinguish between a derelict boat and a responsible cruising vessel—it simply bans all anchoring in massive sections of Florida’s waterways.
SB 164 – Florida’s New Anchoring Rule Raises Concerns for Cruisers
Florida’s proposed SB 164 introduces a new long-term anchoring permit for vessels anchored 14 or more days within a 30-day period. While intended to address derelict boats, the rule may create unintended challenges for responsible boaters waiting for a mooring ball or safe weather to travel offshore.
Many popular harbors in Florida have long waitlists for mooring balls, often exceeding two weeks. Additionally, offshore travel requires careful weather planning, and forcing boats to move before conditions improve could pose safety risks. Under the new rule, boaters in these situations would technically be in violation, even if they are actively preparing for a safe departure.
While managing derelict vessels is important, some in the boating community worry that this provision does not account for the practical realities of cruising and safe seamanship. Clarifications or exceptions for temporary delays could help ensure that well-maintained, transient boats are not unintentionally penalized under the new regulation.
The Real Reason Behind These Bills: Pressure from Waterfront Homeowners
While these bills claim to address derelict vessels, the real driving force behind them is pressure from waterfront home and condo owners who don’t want boats anchored in “their view.”
Homeowners in areas like Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Naples have long pushed for restrictions that would remove anchored boats near their properties. The problem is, they don’t own the water. Florida’s waterways are public resources, and anchoring is a legal right under state and federal law.
Many of these homeowners cite derelict boats and pollution as their main concern, but Florida already has laws to deal with abandoned vessels and environmental violations. Instead of enforcing these existing laws, these bills take the easier route—eliminating the rights of all boaters, regardless of whether they are breaking the law or not.
This is not about derelict boats. It’s about forcing law-abiding boaters out of sight because some people don’t want them there. How about instead we enforce existing rules, rules that have been proven to work? Those include the Propulsion Test, the At Risk Vessel determination, the Vessel Turn In Program – all programs that if used will remove problem vessels from Florida’s waterways.
The Economic Impact: How Florida’s Marine Industry Will Suffer
Florida’s economy is deeply tied to boating, with an industry worth over $23 billion annually. These bills would have devastating consequences:
- Marinas, boatyards, and waterfront businesses will lose customers. Many transient boaters stop at anchor before refueling, stocking up, or dining at waterfront restaurants. If anchoring is severely restricted, boaters will simply avoid Florida altogether.
- The Bahamas, Georgia, and South Carolina will benefit instead. Many cruisers heading south for the winter rely on Florida anchorages. If they no longer have places to stop, they may bypass Florida entirely, opting to go offshore instead.
- Local businesses in places like Boot Key Harbor, St. Augustine, the Keys and elsewhere will see a decline in business. Fewer boaters anchoring means fewer dollars spent in these communities.
Florida’s marine economy thrives because boaters can navigate freely. Restricting anchoring will drive away tourism, reduce spending, and hurt businesses that profit from the business of transient cruisers.
A Smarter Solution: Target the Real Problem
There are ways to address derelict boats without punishing responsible boaters. Florida should focus on:
- Stronger Enforcement of Existing Laws – The state already has laws allowing removal of abandoned and unsafe vessels as noted above. Proper enforcement would solve the problem without creating unnecessary restrictions.
- Zoned Management Approaches – Instead of blanket bans, Florida could implement managed anchorages, ensuring boats are properly spaced and monitored.
- Reasonable Limits, Not Overreach – Instead of extreme rules, Florida could implement reasonable, enforceable anchoring regulations that reflect the real needs of cruising boaters.
These solutions will protect boaters while addressing real concerns, without unnecessary overregulation.
Take Action: Fight for Your Right to Anchor
These bills cannot pass unchallenged. Every boater, yacht club, and marina business needs to speak up NOW.
What You Can Do:
- Call Your State Representatives – Let them know you oppose HB 481, SB 594, and SB 164 and their companion bills.
- Email Your Legislators – A personal message makes a difference.
- Sign Petitions & Join Advocacy Groups – Organizations like BoatUS, CRNNA, SSCA, MTOA and the AGLCA are fighting these bills.
- Spread the Word – Share this information with your boating community.
- I have published a white paper, “Anchoring a Solution,” to legislators outlining a more balanced approach to anchoring regulations. You can download a copy here: https://crnna.com/white-paper/
The time to act is now. If these bills pass, the days of freely anchoring in Florida could be over forever.
Florida’s waters belong to all of us, not just those fortunate enough to live on the water. Let’s stand up and protect our right to anchor.
Fair winds and following seas to all, but let’s first make sure we still have a place to drop the hook after a great day out on the water.
The author, Wally Moran, regularly travels from the Great Lakes to Florida and on to the Bahamas, Cuba and the Caribbean. He is a much in demand speaker at boat shows for his expertise on the ICW, Bahamas and boating issues in general. He is also the founder of the Cruisers Rights Network, which advocates for boaters rights, including anchoring, and can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/savefloridasanchorages
While Southern Boating supports individuals’ right to express their views, the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Southern Boating.
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