Offshoreonly.com - Gov. Bush BACKS SAILBoaters!!

Interesting Reading:

Bush grants clear sailing to 10 boat dwellers

By Jackie Hallifax | The Associated Press
Posted November 27, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- Ten people who live on boats in Matanzas Pass got a break Tuesday when the state agreed to make an exception to the policy against letting people moor boats in one spot on state waters year-round.

The issue came before Gov. Jeb Bush and the Cabinet because the submerged land underneath the water belongs to the state.

The town of Fort Myers Beach, on a 7-mile island south of Sanibel Island, needed a lease from the state to move ahead with plans for a mooring field in Matanzas Pass.

The unregulated harbor now has dozens of boats that drop anchor anywhere, sometimes disturbing sea grass beds and blocking navigation, said Don Hughes, the town's mayor.

The state Department of Environmental Protection liked the town's proposal -- except for the provision that would allow 10 boats that are permanent homes to continue.

State regulations limit "liveaboards" to six months and DEP Secretary David Struhs said the agency feared that making an exception in Matanzas harbor would lead to similar requests from throughout the state.

For instance, there are probably about 80 barges and houseboats on the Apalachicola River that are more or less permanent, Struhs said.

But Fort Myers Beach officials argued for their residents who live aboard Blue Weaver, Black Out, Sundance, Slippery Jack, Eden and other sailboats.

Secretary of State Jim Smith made a motion to accept the staff recommendation, which would limit the permanent liveaboards to a six-month mooring.

Making an exception to the state policy would open a Pandora's box, Smith said.

But Comptroller Bob Milligan argued that the town had addressed the issue with good judgment and common sense by developing a plan to create a mooring field that would improve conditions in the harbor.

The governor and Cabinet approved with a voice vote Milligan's motion to allow the liveaboards to stay put.

Funny, how Jeb defended these sailboater's right to use the Fl. State Souviergn waterways as they NEED TO. (the RIGHT to Moor/"Squat") BUT POWERBOATERS rights aren't defended, (the RIGHT to put your "Planeing " Hull , up on plane, and travel a WHOPPING 25 MPH)!?

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!
MD