Staten Island, NY, anchoring. I was told to get out! Am I wrong to anchor?

[Cool Hand Luke]

So I anchored near Staten Island, NY, and a park ranger from a truck on the beach told me to move. Was he right? Did I have to move? Am I not allowed to anchor near a beach? I wasn’t planning to go on shore and no dinghy with me. Just wanted to swim around the boat.

What argument do I have next time?

Please help...

[Cool Hand Luke]

Just to add... I anchored where it says RUINS on Navionics.

[a64pilot]

A lot of times there are local laws prohibiting boats within a certain distance, usually from swimming beaches.
Here in Ga at St Simons Island I think it’s 200 ft. but it may be 200 yds.

Whether an LEO is right or not is irrelevant, he says move, move. you can’t win, however you can get into trouble, ruin your day and likely cost you significant money.
If you are polite and ask while your obviously preparing to move, he will likely tell you.

[nelly]

I've seen several boats in that spot swimming. Not sure if they were anchored, didn't get very close, but saw people/kids in the water.

Probably just a bit too close.

[nelly]

Follow up: we've recently anchored north of the Coast Guard station on Sandy Hook. Great spot. There is a small sign that marks the restricted area on the beach. You are not permitted on the beach south of this area.

The sand bars are fine spots to swim ashore to or to bring your dinghy and anchor it close. You are not allowed to beach any craft with an engine, but you can definitely get close enough to walk the beach.

Thought I'd share, water is clean and great swimming!

[Hartleyg]

Looking at your track and pictures, it looks like you were pretty close in - about even with the outer end of those jettys. My guess is, you ran afoul of some local ordinance which prohibits anchoring within X yards of the beach (done to keep hordes of small power boats from endangering swimmers).
As an amusing side note, Active Captain shows an anchorage at that position (albeit a bit further offshore - about the 10-foot mark).


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[hellosailor]

As I recall, no vessels are allowed within 1000 feet of the high water line for all NYS parks with official swimming beaches. Rockaways, Jones Beach, all of them. I'm not sure if that is city, state, of federal (Gateway) but IIRC there are designated swimming beaches on that part of SI.

[JPA Cate]

I looked at your screenshot, and it looks like where you were is inside a security line. But, I think probably hello sailor has nailed it for you.

In the past, we've been required to pay entry fees to a Nat'l Park, having arrived over the water.