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FLORIDA – Skipper arrested for Anchoring for more than 10 days

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-06-26 12:08:23
Countries: USA

Cruising Compass report today that the City of Stuart, FL, have
apologised to Vincent Sibilla after he was arrested for anchoring his
yacht for more than 10 days in the City harbour. Sibilla, who sued the
city last month over its anchoring restrictions, has been awarded
$5,000 and a written apology from the city attorney.

This week Stuart commissioners unanimously approved the proposed
settlement with Vincent Sibilla, 68, who filed suit in federal court
March 3, challenging the city's rules about where boaters can anchor.
Sibilla, who lives aboard his 25-foot sloop, Morning Star, will get
his $3,000.00 in attorney fees paid and the City has agreed to change
it’s ordinance on non-liveaboard boats.

The new ordinance will define the term "in navigation" to be in line
with Florida state law. The old ordinance stated that non-liveaboard
boaters are no longer "in navigation" if they are anchored for more
than ten days.

Captain Herman Diebler and SAMI (Sailing Association of Marco Island),
are key players in the fight against unfair restrictions aimed to keep
visiting cruisers away from Florida’s Anchorages. The most recent
“coup” in the anchoring restrictions fight across the Nation was when
they went to battle with the City of Marco Island over local anchoring
restrictions. Diebler and his committee won the first-ever
“precedent-setting” case against Marco Island.