For the past three years, a small group of waterfront homeowners has worked to pass state legislation that would prohibit overnight anchoring near their South Florida properties. HB 1051, which the Florida Legislature will vote on tomorrow, aims to ban overnight anchoring in Sunset Lake, Middle River and between three sets of islands in Biscayne Bay. If HB 1051 passes, it will allow a privileged few residents to bypass an ongoing Pilot Mooring and Anchoring Program that seeks a practical and uniform solution for all Florida residents and boaters. Boat Owners Association of The United States (www.BoatUS.com) is urgently asking Floridians to contact their legislator to vote “no” on HB 1051.

“For a number of years, BoatU.S., our 115,000 members in the Sunshine State, and other user groups have worked to stop local governments from enacting a patchwork of laws and ordinances that restrict the anchoring of non-liveaboard vessels outside permitted mooring fields,” said BoatUS President Margaret Bonds Podlich. “We want to ensure that active, responsible, cruising boaters continue to have an array of options, including anchoring out, using moorings, and tying up at docks. We don’t want to go back in time to having different and confusing local laws that make responsible cruisers unwelcome.”

“We need Florida residents to contact their state representative right now,” added Podlich. “Ask them to vote “no” on House Bill 1051 to stop this anti-boating legislation and protect access to Florida’s public waterways for everyone. BoatUS offers a simple way to contact legislators at www.BoatUS.com/gov.

“The results of Pilot Mooring and Anchoring Program for five areas are due this fall and should be fully reviewed before any new anchoring laws are passed,” added Podlich. “This proposed legislation directly counters the significant time, money, and effort that have been spent to develop consistent and rational anchoring options for cruising boaters.”

The original version of this press release can be found here: www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?ID=1169#.VtdjcpMrK_I