New law limits how long you can anchor boat overnight in large Florida counties
A new Florida law signed this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis limits how long people can anchor their boats overnight in the state's largest counties - a change that is already reshaping life on the water in places like Miami Beach.
30-day limit targets long-term anchoring
Under the law, boaters in counties with populations of 1.5 million or more - including Miami-Dade and Broward - can no longer anchor overnight in the same location for more than 30 days within a six-month period.
Miami Beach City Commissioner David Suarez, who said he helped craft the bill, argued the law gives local governments more control over their waterways and addresses the growing problem of abandoned or derelict vessels.
"When you're a boater, boaters move. They traverse. These are squatters," Suarez said. "Many of their boats do not function."
He cited vessels left to deteriorate in Biscayne Bay, some of which have sunk or become filled with trash. Suarez said marine patrols are already identifying boats affected by the new rule.
Boat residents say law pushes them out
Some boaters say the law unfairly targets people who live aboard their vessels. Alexi Afonin, who lived on a boat in Miami Beach for nearly a decade, said the growing restrictions forced him to relocate to Marathon.
"I felt like I became a rat. I had to sneak on shore," Afonin said, adding that the new law confirms his decision to leave. "You feel like you get your life going there and then you feel like you got evicted."
CBS News Miami also spoke to another liveaboard resident who declined to be identified. He said the restrictions are pushing him to leave the country altogether.
"I'm going to the Caribbean yes," he said.
Next steps include local ordinance updates
Suarez said the next phase involves updating Miami Beach's local ordinances to reflect the state law, which will help marine patrol enforce the rules and define penalties for violations.
He also noted there are mooring fields available for those living aboard boats, offering alternatives for long-term anchoring.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Trump's new travel ban shakes South Florida families with ties to Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela
Trump's new travel ban rattles South Florida families with ties to Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela Trump's new travel ban rattles South Florida families with ties to Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela Trump's new travel ban rattles South Florida families with ties to Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela The Trump administration's newly expanded travel ban took effect Monday, triggering confusion and concern among travelers at Miami International Airport — especially those with ties to Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti. The ban, which applies to nationals from 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on several others, has left many South Florida residents with family abroad worried about their ability to reunite with loved ones. The first day of implementation brought mixed experiences for travelers, some of whom were questioned by customs agents, while others passed through without issue. Travelers from Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti express fear and frustration Katheleen Areas, who frequently travels to Havana, said the ban has derailed her plans to bring her mother to the U.S. "That was my plan, but now with these new restrictions, we'll have to keep visiting her instead," she said in Spanish. Alexis Alvarez, a U.S. resident who just returned from Cuba, said he was surprised by the lack of questioning upon arrival. "They didn't ask me anything today, not even the usual secondary screening," he said. But his relief is clouded by concern for his family. "My wife and son can't come now. We'll have to wait until Trump is no longer in office," he added. New travel restrictions could block thousands of visas The restrictions vary by country. While Cuba and Venezuela face partial bans due to what the U.S. government calls "inadequate vetting procedures," Haiti is subject to the full travel ban. Haitian travelers reported more scrutiny at the airport. "They checked to confirm whether my visa was valid under the new rules," said Naray Llany, a Haitian national with a tourist visa issued three years ago. He said customs agents asked about the purpose and duration of his trip. The Department of State said currently valid visas will not be revoked, but individual customs officers retain discretion at the border. President Trump has defended the travel restrictions as necessary to protect national security. "It's about making sure we're enforcing our laws," a spokesperson said. Still, critics argue the policy disproportionately affects families. One Cuban woman heading to Havana said her relatives back home have now lost all hope of securing a visa. "They don't have one, and now they won't get one," she said. According to the American Immigration Council, the updated travel ban could impact up to 34,000 immigrant visas and more than 125,000 non-immigrant visas.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Broward Sheriff Tony defends BSO's ICE cooperation after Florida AG questions immigration stance
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony is pushing back against Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier after receiving a stern letter demanding clarification of Tony's recent public comments that seemed to downplay his office's role in federal immigration enforcement. In a letter sent Monday, Tony said Broward has worked with all federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), since 2019. "It is BSO's priority to address criminal activity within our community, including crimes committed by unauthorized aliens, and to work with our federal partners in this endeavor," Tony wrote. "BSO is not only enforcing the law against unauthorized aliens who commit crimes in the community; it is a leader in this effort." Florida attorney general cites immigration crimes in Broward The controversy began after Tony stated during a June 3 Broward County Commission workshop that immigration wasn't a priority for his office. "We have other priorities in this community that I'm focused on, and immigration is not one of them," Tony told commissioners. He emphasized the department's focus on the "criminal components" of public safety rather than the "administrative components" associated with immigration enforcement. Those remarks drew immediate backlash from Uthmeier, who in his letter accused Tony of potentially violating state law. He cited Florida Statute § 908.104(1), which requires law enforcement agencies to use "best efforts" to support federal immigration enforcement when acting within their legal scope. "Statements to the contrary suggest you misunderstand or intend to flout these requirements," Uthmeier wrote. He called Tony's position a possible "failure of your statutory obligation," adding that noncompliance could lead to "declaratory and injunctive relief, being held in contempt, or removal from office by the Governor." Florida AG highlights cases of violent undocumented immigrants Uthmeier also listed several recent high-profile crimes involving undocumented immigrants in Broward County, including a March 2025 case involving Carlos Jose Abreau, a Dominican national convicted of voter fraud and gun charges; a December 2024 human smuggling case involving 11 Chinese nationals near Fort Lauderdale; and the fall 2024 arrest of a Brazilian man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Deerfield Beach. "Given these realities, it is unclear to me why 'immigration' wouldn't be one of your priorities," the attorney general wrote. He added that with Broward receiving more than $765 million in local funding, "I venture to suggest that there is room… to abide by state law, cooperate fully with the federal government, and protect Florida citizens." Sheriff Tony defends BSO's record and immigration work In his written response sent Monday, Sheriff Tony also highlighted the ways his agency has supported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He pointed out that the Broward Sheriff's Office has housed federal detainees and assisted ICE in apprehending violent undocumented individuals, asserting that his office has fulfilled its responsibilities. "I trust that this response gives you a better perspective and understanding of my commitment to complying with Florida laws and combating crime within our community," Tony wrote. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was copied on the attorney general's letter, has not publicly responded to the exchange.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year's tournament
From left, Atlanta president Dan Corso, North Texas organizing committee president Monica Paul, Houston president Chris Canetti, San Francisco Bay Area CEO Zaileen Janmohamed, Philadelphia executive Meg Kane, (New York/New Jersey CEO Alex Lasry, Miami CEO Alina Hudak, Seattle chief strategy officer April Putney, Kansas City CEO Pam Kramer, Boston CEO Mike Loynd, and Los Angeles vice president Jason Krutzsch meet at the Paley Center in New York a year ahead of the 2026 World Cup, on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum) NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia's host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration may be among the outside events that impact next year's tournament. "There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty,' Meg Kane said Monday at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders, one year and two days ahead of the tournament opener. Advertisement The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games. All matches from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 'Whether it's the Olympics, whether it's a World Cup, whether it's a Super Bowl, you name it, anytime you've got a major international sporting event, geopolitics is going to have a role,' said Alex Vasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey host committee. Kane said the host committees must adapt to decisions made by others. 'One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty,' Kane said. 'I think for each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome. We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.' Advertisement Trump's travel ban on citizens from 12 countries exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. 'We allow for FIFA to continue having constructive conversations with the administrations around visas, around workforce, around tourism,' Kane said. FIFA is running the World Cup for the first time without a local organizing committee in the host nation. Asked in late April whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was available to discuss the tournament, FIFA director of media relations Bryan Swanson forwarded the request to a member of the media relations staff, who did not make Infantino available. Legislation approved by the House of Representatives and awaiting action in the Senate would appropriate $625 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 'for security, planning, and other costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.' Advertisement The 11 U.S. host committees have been consulting with each other on issues such as transportation for teams and VIPs, and for arranging fan fests. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after fans breached security gates. 'Certainly we were not involved in the planning or the logistics for that particular match,' said Alina Hudak, CEO of the Miami World Cup host committee. She said local police 'have done an extensive review of the after-action reports related to that in collaboration with the stadium and so all of the things that happened are in fact being reviewed and addressed and I can assure you that everything is being done within our power to make sure that the appropriate measures are being placed, the appropriate perimeters.' ___ AP soccer:
