Crystal River officials are exploring new state legislation requiring long-term anchoring permits as a potential enforcement tool against derelict and at-risk vessels plaguing Kings Bay. During the May 11 Crystal River City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Chris Ensing briefed council members on recently adopted state legislation that updates previous laws requiring vessel owners who anchor in Florida waters for 14 days or more within a 30-day period to obtain a no-cost long-term anchoring permit through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The new legislation, which becomes effective in 2026, could provide local governments a clearer enforcement pathway in areas like Kings Bay, where law enforcement has long struggled to track live-aboard vessels that later become navigation hazards. “You have to have an anchoring permit now if you’re going to stay over 14 days,” Ensing said, adding that the system is free but requires online registration and vessel-specific documentation. The permits aim to address the growing problem of derelict vessels that create dangerous conditions for boaters navigating the shallow waters of Kings Bay.
Derelict vessels have become a persistent problem in Kings Bay, creating both navigation hazards and unsightly scenes for the popular waterway. Sunken sailboats with only masts protruding from the water’s surface rest on the bottom of the bay, forcing other boaters to navigate carefully around these obstacles. The new permit system represents a significant step forward in addressing vessel abandonment issues that have plagued the Crystal River area for years.
City officials are now weighing how much additional authority they should add to the state system while ensuring effective enforcement of the new requirements. The council continues to evaluate the best approach to implement these new regulations while maintaining Kings Bay as a safe and attractive destination for boaters and tourists visiting the Crystal River area.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
