CS/SB 164 — Vessel Accountability Effective July 1st 2025

Imagine a salty sailor discussing her upcoming four week boating trip.

“Our planning includes fuel, food, safety, communications, money, fun. You know, the stuff we have implemented in previous trips. We have to consider the weather, where and how many days to anchor or moor our sailboat. But, now Florida has passed SB 164 and that directly affects our decisions. How long can we anchor?, do we need a permit? Should we expect any marine agency to board our boat?”

CS/SB 164

We all need to understand the implications of this new law and how it affects our sailing plans. Definitions are given to provide clarity. Some examples are: ”derelict vessel”, ”portable toilet”, ”prohibited activity”, ”resident”, ”long term anchoring”, and a vessel at risk of becoming derelict.

The first part of our trip might involve “long term anchoring” due to possible weather concerns. Do we need a permit and how do we get one. Well that is solved. Seems we can electronically apply for a permit that guarantees a stay in one place for more than 14 days in a 30 day period: unless we move to a new location. then a second application is needed. Penalties exist if a Permit is not obtained. Private docking and mooring are exempt.

Of course, I could not find any 'Online Permit application' process as of today, June 3rd.

Remember all those boats crowded forever in West Palm Beach, ICW’s best free anchorages? New penalties / fines are given to owners who have 3 violations within a 24 month period at anchor. The vessel is then declared a “public nuisance”. The “owner” of a public nuisance is not permitted to live aboard. Florida officials also have enhanced legal means to identify and remove a “derelict vessel”. An officer may board when the owner is present to test “effective Propulsion”. “Owner” is held responsible for all associated costs of remediation, or removal and destruction. Penalties apply if the owner does not pay.

So who may bear the cost if a vessel is removed? The owner does. Note the FWC participates in a state grant program that includes prevention and a voluntary turn-in program.

Well, I will still have to navigate to an anchorage with a good depth for us. And we may have to pay for a private mooring ball if there is little room in free areas. Of course, do a pump out on the outside before we get there.

Here’s a link for the rest of us. https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2025/html/3668