Beaching a boat is quite common, especially for emergency reasons. It is something that many boat owners would often choose to do to save their vessel in case of damage or when it is unable to deal with high flooding on the beach.
It sounds like a natural and necessary process, but what laws guide it in Florida? Can you beach a boat in Florida?
This article focuses on how to beach a boat laws in Florida, detailing what boat owners can do or not. It is a guide to assist you in operating your boat in Florida and things you must remember as a boat owner or operator.
Is It Okay To Beach A Boat In Florida?
Florida has many public beaches where people can go to relax. You are free to rent a boat and experience the beaches in Florida.
But what happens when it comes to beaching a boat in the state? Can you beach a boat in Florida?
Yes! It is okay to anchor your boat accidentally going ashore. But, one must remember a few laws to avoid complications in operating the water bodies.
There are the Florida Anchoring Laws one must follow before deciding on whether they can beach their boat, including:
- You should never beach a boat within 150 feet of other boat launching facilities such as a boatyard
- Never beach your boat within 300 feet of a place that repairs boats and within a waterline of 120 feet plus
- Never anchor within 100 feet from the area marked as the public mooring field. You can only beach the boat if your boat suffers from severe mechanical issues and the weather conditions are dangerous and extreme.
- Beach the boat at the marked public beaching area, but you must have the proper contractual agreement. There are registration fees that depend on your boat size
- Never moor your boat to unlawful objects that are in the water bodies
- You may not beach a boat at the risk of breaking on or taking in water without a method to dewater it.
All these laws are strict in Florida, and the Division of Law Enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission works together to enforce these laws. Various law enforcement officers ensure that their laws are well-protected, and there are heavy fines on the people who break them.
The main reason for such measures is that the state of Florida is trying to prevent boats from piling up in their water bodies. It means that every boat owner needs to be registered and can account for their choices when on water.
How Do You Beach A Boat?
Going to the beach is fun, especially when the boats are involved. After all, these vessels can take you to various places making things even more enjoyable.
Beaching a boat is a must-know skill that will save you much time when using your boat. However, the beaching process can be a hustle, especially when new.
In that case, this section defines some tips to ensure you successfully beach your boat.
Examine The Shoreline
After going to the beach, ensure you understand all the essentials, like how deep the water is and how fast it takes to shoal.
Identify if there is a straightforward path without many obstacles to protect your boat. Other than boat owners, swimmers need to know these facts.
Approach The Bleaching Process Slowly
To prevent any accident, ensure that you approach things slowly. It doesn’t matter how much you know the place, but taking the necessary safety measures is essential.
Determine The Water Depth
Before the beaching of the boat process, it would be essential to judge the water depth. A depth sounder is a significant investment in your boat to help you estimate the water depth.
You can estimate the waist-deep water if you don’t have a depth sounder. It would help to watch out for strong winds and breaking waves in the ocean since they can mess with the beaching process.
Ensure That You Get A Cream Member To Hold The Boat’s Bow At Waist Deep
It is always great to have technical support when beaching your boat. To prevent accidents, have someone to help you, especially when checking the water depth.
Ensure That Your Boat Is Safe
It is vital to ensure that your boat is secure. The most convenient way would be to have an anchor up your beach.
Another thing is to tie the boat to a stake or other objects. It is a simple but necessary practice that you must remember when beaching your boat.
Properly Float The Boat When It’s Time To Leave
Keeping your boat safe and taking the necessary precautions during bleaching is excellent. But ensuring safety is at its best when you must leave is vital.
Pull the boat free from the attached object until it properly floats.
How Long Can A Boat Stay In Florida?
Can you beach a boat in Florida? Yes, proper registrations are easy, and the beaching process is well-protected by the law.
However, Florida has restrictive laws to avoid piling up the boats on the beaches and other water bodies.
So, how long can a boat stay in Florida? The response to this question depends on whether you are a resident or a non-resident.
If you buy a boat in Florida as a resident, you must take ownership of the boat within thirty days and have all the licenses within ninety days.
Of course, even with the registration and licenses, you must operate with the given laws, especially when bleaching a boat. The bleaching laws are stated in the section above.
As for a non-resident for a boat less than five net tonnes, it must leave the state within ten days or stay in custody for repair for at most twenty days. Larger boats need to leave the state within ninety days but can be extended for one hundred and eighty days.
The buyer must prove that the boat is no longer in the state with the proper documentation.
So, how long a boat can stay in Florida depends on various things, especially on whether you are a resident or a non-resident.