Planning on Celebrating New Year

Looks like we'll have another go at putting the new sails up this weekend.

Plan is to take the boat out on New years Day and anchor somewhere overnight.

I'm a little grumpy while writing this, Just received news about the latest Rich Guys Law being introduced in the Florida House. House Bill 1051

There was a bill that ran it's course this past year which was disguised as a Vessel Anchoring Safety Bill, but it had absolutely nothing to do with Safety, it's sole purpose was to prevent boats anchoring nearby the homes adjacent to the Florida waterways because it spoiled their view!

This new Bill, House Bill 1051, does not even try to disguise itself, there is no mention of safety, it's plain and simply the thin edge of a wedge that would allow future anchoring restrictions.

Like many sail boat owners, we take our boats out to the ocean, but departure from the inland waterways has to be timed within a good weather window. Nobody would suggest that we head out to sea without giving consideration to the conditions out there. But when someone brings their boat from outside of Florida, they have the imperative to head inland if the conditions outside turn nasty. In both cases, being able to anchor overnight is a vital option. It not only saves lives, but it saves tax payer monies too by reducing the number of off shore emergencies when sailors can shelter overnight, one or more nights, to avoid putting them selves and others at risk.

Members of the boating community are well aware of the efforts by the 1%'s to claim ownership of the waterways adjacent to their property. That public ownership is protected by State Law, and so these few home owners are trying to change the law, or add new laws that override the existing law.

The worst part is that it's our Politicians, the people we vote into office, that are enabling these few, most likely in order to gain political fund raising support (there's a word for it). Those politicians seem to have forgotten who voted them into office and why!

This time around the bill is being sponsored by Representative Matt Caldwell,

Capitol Office 

218 House Office Building 
402 South Monroe Street 
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 
Phone: (850) 717-5079

District Office 
Building A 
15191 Homestead Road 
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971-9749 
Phone: (239) 694-0161

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010, reelected subsequently

So he's probably due a job change!

If you want to Email Representative Matt Caldwell, here's the link to his Email Form

I expect that we'll be hearing a lot more from Mr. Caldwell
...and why he sponsored Florida House Bill HB 1051

See you out on the water (but perhaps not anchored in Florida)