Beach Cruisers Article

The ordinance defines any vessel in city waters for more than seven days as a "live-aboard" vessel that is not exercising its rights of navigation and claims that cruising boaters are "avoiding fees associated with marinas," "invading the privacy" of home-owners, "interfering with views," and are a "nuisance." Enforcement measures planned include impounding and towing vessels.

. contacted city officials directly and launched an e-mail alert campaign to thousands of Miami area members as well as worked with a host of boating groups including the Marine Industry Association of South Florida and Seven Seas Cruising Association.

Reportedly, city commissioners received hundreds of e-mails but ignored boaters' concerns in favor of a few wealthy waterfront property owners who live on private islands in the Miami Beach area.

. argued that a seven-day limit is arbitrary, especially for distance cruisers, is not based on any science or data, and the ordinance could endanger cruising boaters by forcing them to make unwise departure decisions rather than risk impoundment. The ordinance does include exceptions for bad weather, illness or repairs, but how those situations will be assessed by city officials who are non-boaters remains problematic.

Public access to Florida's waterways is under attack throughout the state. Having a major city such as Miami Beach, which ironically collects millions in revenue annually from the Miami Boat Show, also sets a very bad precedent.

The anchoring measure was sponsored by Commissioner Jose Smith () who said waterfront property owners have complained to him about boats too near their homes. Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer () also supported the measure.