FWC Derelict Enforcement Marathon

[capt-couillon]

Far cry from the old "Dog Patch" days, but there were fewer boats here 20 years ago. Port master and the city both look out for us, and are under appreciated IMHO. Back when the legislature was trying to increase the anchorage clearances from the managed mooring fields the City of Marathon passed a resolution requesting they not change them as it would impinge on the remaining free anchorages. The entire harbor and most of Sister Creek is a "managed" anchorage area, but the restrictions are minor. mostly the requirement for a pump out once a month ($5.00 and the poop boat shows up). Course you have to pay for dinghy access somewhere, but it doesn't have to be City Marina, and no limits on anchorage times. You're still welcome to drop the hook for free. Unlike a lot of FL locations.

Not a perfect system, but what is? Works for me and the other 400 boats or so we will have here in another 45 days. Personally I find the $300 per month fee for a mooring (including weekly pump outs, showers, laundry, parking, etc) too good a deal to pass up and deal with a marl bottom in a hard blow.

Just sayin...

[zboss]

Originally Posted by crabcake

[I][B][SIZE=4]Officer Plussa arrived and arrested the suspect for using, storing, and leaving derelict vessels on state waters. He was booked into the Marathon Jail without issue.

So a boat that is being used is derelict? That's contradictory. Just because my home is a tarp over a steam vent doesn't mean its not my home. Most of the population of the world lives like that.

Don't get me wrong - we need to get some of these boats out of the water. But lets face it... people are living on them and unless we are also willing to pay the bill to house, cloth, and feed these people, we are just whining. Very few people intentionally live like slobs unless there is some other underlaying factor like psychological, addiction, and so forth.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by zboss

So a boat that is being used is derelict? That's contradictory. Just because my home is a tarp over a steam vent doesn't mean its not my home. Most of the population of the world lives like that.

Don't get me wrong - we need to get some of these boats out of the water. But lets face it... people are living on them and unless we are also willing to pay the bill to house, cloth, and feed these people, we are just whining. Very few people intentionally live like slobs unless there is some other underlaying factor like psychological, addiction, and so forth.

Not according to the FL statues:

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

[Sun and Moon]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Not according to the FL statues:
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

327.4107 Vessels at risk of becoming derelict on waters of this state.—
...
(2) An officer of the commission or of a law enforcement agency specified in s. 327.70 may determine that a vessel is at risk of becoming derelict if any of the following conditions exist
a) The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater.
(b) Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time.
(c) The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor.
(d) The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk.

Originally Posted by crabcake

Officer Plussa did a follow-up derelict vessel inspection with the owner present and determined that the absence of motors, power,
rotten wooden decks,substantial dismantling, and the
overall junked condition in dicated it was still derelict. Additionally the suspect was delinquent in virtually all boating safety and registration requirements and had a marine toilet (MSD) pumping right into the bilges of the boat and over board into the water. The suspect had made no efforts to
repair or improve the vessel, and had attempted to scrape off the derelict vessel notice posting.

The guy they arrested may be guilty of various charges, including pollution charges, but the conditions cited by the officer don't match the Florida definition of derelict vessel.

[valhalla360]

We can get into legal technicalities but if it walks like a duck...

The boats in question are all derelict or will be shortly with the owners having no interest or plan to address their final state.

It's not class warfare. The rules apply to everyone. 95% of the time the cost to address the issues is negligible, so it's not a attack on the poo. Spend an hour once a week keeping the boat clean and odds are they won't even get on the radar of the authorities.

We live in a civilized world. I you want to live in it, you live by it's rules. There are plenty of backwaters along the gulf and southern east coast far from civilization where they could evade authorities notice. The people causing the problem don't choose to live there because there is no civilization. You can't have it both ways. If you want the benefits of living in a civilized world, you have to meet the rules of living in that same world.

I commend the authorities as I'm sure the vast majority of voting locals do.

[Sun and Moon]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

We can get into legal technicalities but if it walks like a duck...

The boats in question are all derelict or will be shortly with the owners having no interest or plan to address their final state.

It's not class warfare. The rules apply to everyone. 95% of the time the cost to address the issues is negligible, so it's not a attack on the poo. Spend an hour once a week keeping the boat clean and odds are they won't even get on the radar of the authorities.

We live in a civilized world. I you want to live in it, you live by it's rules. There are plenty of backwaters along the gulf and southern east coast far from civilization where they could evade authorities notice. The people causing the problem don't choose to live there because there is no civilization. You can't have it both ways. If you want the benefits of living in a civilized world, you have to meet the rules of living in that same world.

I commend the authorities as I'm sure the vast majority of voting locals do.

What hypocrisy! "We live in a civilized world. I you want to live in it, you live by it's rules." The cop is part of the legal system, and you're complaining about "legal technicalities"? Last I checked, the cops and the courts are supposed to follow legal technicalities. If you don't like the way the law is written, call your representative and get him to change it. In the meantime, the cops are required to follow the rules the legislature has set down. It's called democracy.

[Three Sisters]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Aaahh, the good old criminalization of poverty. As comedian Yakov Smirnov used to say - "Only in America!".

PS And as is usual - done under the guise of public safety.

Public Safety indeed. Go crap in a legal toilet.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by zboss

So a boat that is being used is derelict? That's contradictory. Just because my home is a tarp over a steam vent doesn't mean its not my home. Most of the population of the world lives like that.

Don't get me wrong - we need to get some of these boats out of the water. But lets face it... people are living on them and unless we are also willing to pay the bill to house, cloth, and feed these people, we are just whining. Very few people intentionally live like slobs unless there is some other underlaying factor like psychological, addiction, and so forth.

is your house plumbing pumping crap out into a public street? His boat is so what the difference?
That "I'm poor" crap is worn out. Earn your way, pay your way, or don't, but don't expect the rest of of the world to support your damned hobbies along the way.
What do we get next? another oh so damned special interest group demanding special right's?
POOR LIVE"S MATTER HA HA HA, freaking pathetic.

[Zephyrcat229]

that's right. Only rich lives matter!

uber alles!

[Tellie]

"targeting derelict and pre-derelict or “At-Risk” vessels."

Pre-derelict vessels?

As Momma always said "Be careful what you wish for.

[denverd0n]

Vessels that are "derelict" and "at risk" are clearly defined in the laws of Florida. This is not some slippery slope.

The analogy to a home that is pumping its waste directly into the street is a good one. Yes, there are places in the world where people live like that. And then there are places where that is not acceptable. If you want to live in Monroe county Florida, you have to accept the fact that it is NOT one of those places.

This is not some sort of discrimination against the poor. This is simply a community that has set certain standards and wishes to maintain them. OOOH! Such a terrible thing! SHEESH!

[Boatguy30]

I'm happy to hear of an active police force, using existing laws and making good use of their taxpayer funded boats!

Wish it was statewide!

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Zephyrcat229

that's right. Only rich lives matter!

uber alles!

Yep... That must be what it is eh?

The State of Florida has passed reasonable rules to ensure (to the extent possible) a civil society and is, finally, enforcing them. If you don't like the rules in Florida, I suggest you abandon your aspiration to live in South Florida and remain in the PNW.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by Sun and Moon

What hypocrisy! "We live in a civilized world. I you want to live in it, you live by it's rules." The cop is part of the legal system, and you're complaining about "legal technicalities"? Last I checked, the cops and the courts are supposed to follow legal technicalities. If you don't like the way the law is written, call your representative and get him to change it. In the meantime, the cops are required to follow the rules the legislature has set down. It's called democracy.

+1000

And the hypocrisy of the crypto-socialists "let's have the gov't solve all MY problems" masquerading as the keepers of the "civilized society" galls me the most. The last time I checked we live in a free capitalist society (supposedly) so the issue of anyone or anything which offends someone else should be solved not by dragging the state into it on one's side but to use one's $$ to solve the issue. They should buy those they consider derelicts out and while at it have that buyout contract prohibit them from ever returning to that area. And if the derelicts do return i.e. break that contract, then and only then ask the gov't, i.e. the courts, to uphold it. And that's IMO is the ONLY way to deal with this issue in a civilized society.

And if those complaining can't or won't spend THEIR own $$ dealing with the issue which only/so concerns them they should not have ANY right to bring the mighty state to solve that issue for them, especially at the expense of the victims of their "Maria Antoinette meets Karl Marx" worldview.

[Island Time O25]

What is also pathetic is that we have presumably wealthy individuals clamoring for the state (i.e. socialistic) involvement in THEIR OWN problems and we have some of the last true spirit "leave me alone capitalists" designated as bums, derelicts, etc. George Orwell is spinning in his grave.

PS This is not an endorsement or support in any way of those boat owners who spew waste which affects others physically. I get that and do not think anyone has a right to directly physically negatively affect anyone else, which untreated waste does. But only support those who supposedly offend others visually, by the fact of their poverty or their freedom stance, of which unsightly (to others) boat is a definite symbol.