I sure hope this isn't the begining of the kinds of restrictions that Florida has put on boats over the last twenty so years.
" Aug. 19, 2008 -- The Planning and Natural Resources Department plans big changes effective Oct. 1 at three St. Thomas bays, Christmas Cove, False Entrance and Secret Harbor, banning boats that people live on. "There will be no more liveaboards," said Roberto Tapia, assistant director of the Planning and Natural Resources Environmental Enforcement Division, on Monday. "
Comments like "There will be no more liveaboards" are really alarming. At the same time that the government is closing anchorages to long term use, they have also recently turned down permits for a renovation and expansion of one of the major "livaboard" marinas on the island. Neither of this decisions looks good for boaters in the long run. It appears that it is getting more difficult and in turn will get more expensive to keep a boat here. Although I have to say that I agree that Christmas Cove should be kept as a short term anchorage and moorings can be easier for and less disruptive to marine life than anchoring, I rarely believe that additional government regulation is a good thing.
Read the full story in the St. Thomas Source
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