The purpose of this rule is to reduce the incidence of vessel masts coming into contact with high tension power lines. Masts of sailboats and other masted vessels typically contact the high tension power lines when vessels drag anchor during storm ...

Division of Law Enforcement

RULE NO.:68D-24.144

RULE TITLE:Monroe County Boating Restricted Areas

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule is to reduce the incidence of vessel masts coming into contact with high tension power lines. Masts of sailboats and other masted vessels typically contact the high tension power lines when vessels drag anchor during storm events (hurricanes, winter storms, severe local thunderstorms), presenting grave danger to all persons aboard the vessel and to the vessel itself.  These events also have caused power outages affecting thousands of customers in the Lower Keys and present life-threatening dangers to persons in hospitals and to other special-needs patients in the Lower Keys.  The effect of this rule will be to prohibit the anchoring of sailboats and other vessels with masts within a portion of Pine Channel adjacent to high tension power lines.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED:  No Anchoring by sailboats and other vessels with masts within the area between Pine Key and Little Torch Key South of US 1, for distance of approximately 6,000 feet.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY:  327.04, 327.46 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED:  327.46 FS.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPENT DEVELOPMENT IS: Ms. Tara Alford, Management Analyst, Boating and Waterways Section, Division of Law Enforcement, 850-410-0656, extension 17169, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

68D-24.144 Monroe County Boating Restricted Areas.

(1) For the purpose of regulating the anchoring of vessels in and adjacent to the Pine Channel within Monroe County, the following boating restricted area is established:

Pine Channel – Anchoring of all sailboats and other vessels with masts is prohibited in Pine Channel, shoreline to shoreline, between Big Pine Key and Little Torch Key, from the centerline of U. S. Highway 1 south to a line drawn from the southernmost point on Little Torch Key to the southernmost point on Big Pine Key (a distance approximately 6,000 feet south of the centerline of U. S. Highway 1).  If the overhead power lines are removed the zone established in this paragraph shall no longer be in force or effect.

(2) The boating restricted area is depicted in drawing A:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Authority 327.04, 327.46 FS. Law Implemented 327.46 FS. History–New ____________.