§ 7-138. Managed mooring field in North Yacht Basin.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish a mooring field in order to reduce the potential discharge of pollutants into the water, prevent damage to bottom dwelling sea-life that may otherwise become damaged from dragging anchors, provide boaters with maximum protection from unsafe actions of other boaters, and to encourage boaters to visit downtown St. Petersburg by providing them with a designated place to moor and access to upland facilities.

(b)

Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Anchoring means the use of a heavy device fastened to a line or chain to hold a vessel in a desired position.

Mooring means the permanent ground tackle where vessels are kept at anchor.

Mooring field means the designated area in the North Yacht Basin where the City may place up to 26 permanently anchored buoy systems in accordance with a mooring field management plan. A map of the designated area shall be set forth in a mooring field management plan.

(c)

Assignment of space at the mooring field. The POD has the authority to assign a mooring space. No vessel shall occupy any mooring space without the approval of a permit from the POD. The vessel operator shall fill out all required forms and obtain a mooring permit. Subleasing of any mooring space by the permittee is prohibited. Any permittee wishing to transfer to a different mooring space other than the one assigned must obtain the prior authorization of the POD and fill out the required forms. The POD may reassign a vessel from the assigned mooring space to another mooring space within the mooring field whenever the POD determines that it is necessary for the efficient or safe use of the mooring field.

(d)

Vessels prohibited. Any vessel exceeding 60 feet in overall length is prohibited from occupying a space in the mooring field.

(e)

Mooring methods. Vessels in the mooring field shall be moored only by securing their bow tie point to the provided buoy line. The buoy line is used to attach a vessel to the mooring buoy and has one end permanently attached to the mooring buoy. No vessel shall be moored by the stern or be tied to more than one buoy or to points on the vessel other than the most forward tie point. There shall be no dropping or placement of additional anchors or anchor systems from any vessel in the mooring field. All vessels within the mooring field shall use only the established mooring buoys and anchoring systems provided by the POD. Only one vessel shall be secured or tied to each mooring buoy and vessels may not tie abreast of one another, or tie the bow of one vessel to the stern of another. Dinghys tied to the stern of a vessel moored to a buoy shall not cause the total length of vessel and dinghy(s) combined to exceed 60 feet in length for a 60-foot mooring space and 40 feet in length for a 40-foot mooring space.

(f)

Anchoring prohibited. Except in emergency situations, as determined by the POD, the dropping or placement of anchors from any vessel in the mooring field is prohibited.

(g)

Rules and regulations. Any permittee who is assigned a space in the mooring field shall comply with the mooring field rules and regulations. Failure to comply with rules and regulations is a violation of this section.

(h)

Abandonment of vessels. If a vessel is left unattended for more than 72 continuous hours without the prior approval of the POD, the vessel shall be considered abandoned. If any vessel is determined to be abandoned, it may be towed and stored in a secure location or commercial marina. The POD shall make a reasonable, diligent effort to locate the owner of the vessel. If the abandoned vessel is not reclaimed within 30 days, the vessel shall be sold under the process prescribed by applicable laws, which will cover the cost of unpaid rental fees, as well as any fees due for towing and storage and reasonable expenses incurred in disposing of the vessel. The owner of the vessel shall be responsible for the payment of these costs.

(i)

Liability of City. The City assumes no liability for use of the mooring field by permittees or their guests. The City is not liable or responsible for personal possessions, vessels, dinghies, or their contents or use while said vessels are located within the mooring field or while permittees or guests use the upland facilities. Persons using the waters of the City assume all risk of personal injury and damage or loss to their property. The City assumes no risk due to accident, fire, theft, vandalism, acts of God or any other reason.

(j)

Use of dinghy dock. All permittees shall have free use of the dinghy dock located in the North Yacht Basin for the sole purpose of temporary dockage of small dinghys or dinghy-type boats while their mooring permit is valid. Permittees shall comply with the dinghy dock rules and regulations. Failure to comply with rules and regulations is a violation of this section. Use of the dinghy dock without a permit is also a violation of this section.

(k)

Compliance with state law. The provisions of this section shall be read in pari materia with F.S. ch. 327.

(l)

Penalties. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be deemed to be charged with a non-criminal infraction and be subject to the penalties and procedures set forth in F.S. ch. 327 and section 1-7.

(Ord. No. 1023-G, § 2, 8-4-2011)