Here's some information sent out by Salty SE Cruisers Net (Waterway Guide sent out similar info) with a link to a survey being conducted by SSCA whose representatives will be attending the meetings in Florida. (note: if the first link doesn't work, try the second one - they should be the same but only the second worked on my Nexus 7). ---------------------------- CRITICAL SURVEY ON ANCHORING RIGHTS Pursuant to the upcoming public meetings on anchoring rights and regulations in Vero Beach and Bradenton, FL, Mike Ahart of Waterway Guide sends our readers this Seven Seas Cruising Association survey. Please open the survey link and submit your opinions. It is critical that cruisers have a voice in these discussions, especially since so many of you are in northern waters during September. The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) has created an online survey to gather thoughts and opinions on Florida anchoring rights and the process being undertaken to propose draft legislation to allow municipalities to restrict anchoring in the state public waters within their geographical boundaries. You do NOT need to be an SSCA member to take the survey, it doesn't ask for your email address, and it takes only about 10 minutes. Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSCAANCHORING2014 SSCA will be representing their membership and boaters in general at the upcoming meetings (Vero Beach, Sep. 3; Bradenton, Sep. 4). It has been working for years with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), landowners, boaters, and legislators to come up with workable solutions to deal with anchored derelict, abandoned and long-term live-aboard boats without affecting cruising boats. SSCA helped immensely with the current FWC Anchoring & Mooring Pilot Program, and, whether you're for or against it, excessive anchoring restrictions were mostly avoided by going through a thoughtful process, in my opinion. It could have been a lot worse. Now, for the "lot worse" - FWC seems to be under pressure from certain municipalities who did not participate in the Pilot Program, but want to restrict anchoring. In the July 2014 meeting, a framework for proposed draft legislation was established and will be further discussed at the upcoming meetings (a public comment period will follow). The proposed concepts for consideration and comment include no-anchoring zone distances from private waterfront property (300' is noted) and public facilities - mooring fields, boat ramps, marinas, etc... - (150' is noted), plus conditions that would exclude boats from being stored at anchor. If you are a Florida resident, please also let your legislators know how you feel about your freedom to anchor. If you are a cruiser anywhere and have not already, consider joining SSCA - it not only helps defend anchoring rights in Florida and practically everywhere else, it is a great gathering of local, coastal and world-wide cruisers with a lot of resources and events. But either way, please take the survey. Here's the link again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SSCAANCHORING2014 These two VERY IMPORTANT public meetings were scheduled as outcomes of a public forum on anchoring held in July in Tallahassee, see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=143720. Very few cruisers will be in Florida on these dates, but if you are near by, we urge you to attend! Anchoring Public Workshops The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement announces two public workshops to which all interested parties are invited. DATE AND TIME: September 3, 2014, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PLACE: Indian River County Administration Complex, 1801 27th Street, Building A, Vero Beach, FL 32960, (772) 567-8000 DATE AND TIME: September 4, 2014, 5:30p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PLACE: Manatee County Commission Chambers, 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, (941) 748-4501 GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will be holding two public workshops presenting a frame work for possible legislation granting limited authority to counties and municipalities to regulate anchoring on state waters in certain circumstances. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed frame work in verbal or written form immediately following the presentation. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise the respective location at least five (5) calendar days before the meeting by contacting: ADA Coordinator, see numbers listed above. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency by calling the numbers listed above. <><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><> Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina MV Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base DeFever 41 Trawler Melbourne, Florida Blog: http://mvsanderling.net/Blog Web: http://cruising.mvsanderling.net/