October 27, 2011

NEWS from BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS Press Room at www.BoatUS.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

City of Sarasota Considers Anchoring Limit:
Boaters, Marine and Tourism Interests Urged to Attend Nov 3 Meeting

Anchoring Restrictions and "Set Backs" on Agenda

Photo Caption: As part of a statewide anchoring/mooring pilot project, the City of Sarasota will be allowed to develop an ordinance limiting anchoring within the city limits. Boaters have a chance to weigh in at a meeting Nov. 3.Photo Credit: Ebyabe
Download hi-res photo.
 

SARASOTA, Fla. October 27, 2011 – On November 3, the possibility of anchoring regulations for recreational boats will be discussed at a meeting hosted by city officials. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says that the agenda will center on proposals to limit the number of days a boat can remain on anchor as well as to determine a “set back” limit on how many feet an anchored boat must stay from private or public land. BoatUS is urging boaters, cruisers and sailors, as well as those who benefit from visiting boater spending, to attend this public meeting to have their voices heard.

 
The City of Sarasota is participating as one of five cities in Florida’s mooring and anchoring pilot project, which gives the municipality the ability to limit anchoring.
 
“The challenge is to come up with a solution that works for all parties,” said BoatUS Executive Vice President Margaret Podlich. “There is no concrete written proposal to comment on at this time. However, the proposed $18-$25 daily fee at the Sarasota mooring field for visiting boaters in combination with limits on the number of nights you can anchor outside of the mooring field as well the minimum distances from upland property, mean that it is vitally important for boaters to be at this meeting. We don’t expect another chance for boaters to be heard before the anchoring plan is drafted by the City.”
 
The meeting will be held Thursday, November 3rd, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers at 1565 First Street in Sarasota. For more information contact Tony Russo, project manager, at 941-465-2200, extension 6367.
 
Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Russo at: anthony.russo@sarasotagov.com.
 
For more background information on anchoring laws in Florida, see the “2011 BoatUS Anchoring Information” sheet at www.BoatUS.com/gov/florida.
 
To get more information from the Florida Wildlife Commission on the pilot mooring program, go to www.myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring.
 
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About BoatUS:
 
BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.