Miami is taking significant steps to manage the growing number of unregulated vessels living in Biscayne Bay by proposing an Overnight Anchoring Limitation Area.
On October 9, the Miami City Commission will review an ordinance aimed at establishing this designated area within the city’s portion of the bay. This move aligns city regulations with new state legislation that permits large counties to impose restrictions on overnight anchoring, significantly impacting countless boaters who currently live or anchor for extended periods offshore.
The legislation highlights a critical issue, stating, ‘the lack of regulation has created a haven for unregulated vessel living, which leads to pollution, both physical trash and human waste, being directly emptied into the city waterways, causing continued harm to the environment.’
As a consequence of this unregulated activity, the city has been forced to allocate additional resources—both human and financial—to monitor and maintain its waters. Officials note that the unrestricted long-term anchorage has also resulted in an increase in derelict and abandoned vessels, which the city must handle and finance their removal.
Under the proposed ordinance, vessels would be prohibited from remaining anchored in designated city waters for more than 30 nights over a six-month period, specifically between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Additionally, boats would be barred from anchoring within 300 feet of a public mooring field.
However, exceptions are outlined for commercial and recreational fishing vessels, government boats, and vessels seeking shelter from severe weather or those completing permitted marine work.
In terms of enforcement, violators of the anchoring regulations could face fines of up to $500 per day, which is the maximum allowed under Florida law. The enforcement responsibility would fall to Miami’s Police Department and Code Compliance Department, which would have the authority to issue written warnings or civil citations.
Commissioner Damian Pardo, who is sponsoring the legislation, emphasized that the proposal builds on the recent authority granted by the Florida Legislature. This amendment allows local governments to create and enforce regulations regarding vessels ‘to promote the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life in their communities.’
Specifically, the new law restricts ‘vessels anchored for a period of one hour or more between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise for more than 30 days in any six-month period within the jurisdiction of a county with a population of 1.5 million or more,’ excluding time spent in a marked mooring field or for permitted marine work.
The ordinance mirrors similar recent efforts in Miami Beach, where concerns about the proliferation of encampments on the water prompted action. Commissioner David Suarez played a key role in drafting the state bill in response to complaints from residents.
During a September 23 discussion with Mr. Pardo, Suarez noted that numerous residents had approached him during his campaign expressing concerns about the encampments on local waterways. He pointed out the trend of individuals purchasing boats at low costs—often between $500 and $1,000—towing them to Miami Beach’s waterways, and then renting them out on platforms like Airbnb.
Some boat owners have also used additional vessels for storage, creating clusters of derelict boats. ‘If you look at Google Maps 10 years ago, there were maybe five boats,’ Mr. Suarez remarked. ‘Just a little over six months ago, there were, I think, over 200.’
In response to these issues, Mr. Pardo stated that Miami’s initiatives were a direct result of the actions taken in Miami Beach. He expressed gratitude for Mr. Suarez’s leadership and emphasized the pressing need to address these challenges.
If approved, the measure will return for a final vote this fall before becoming law, marking a critical step towards managing the environmental impact of unregulated vessel living on Biscayne Bay.
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