As of Jan. 1, vessel owners anchoring in Florida waters for 14 days or more within any 30-day period are now required to obtain a no-cost electronic long-term anchoring permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The new permit system was established to improve vessel accountability, reduce derelict and abandoned boats and support the safety and environmental stewardship of Florida’s waterways.
Permit applicants must complete an online application that includes basic vessel and owner information. The process is free, quick and available through the FWC’s website.
Vessel owners who fail to obtain the required long-term anchoring permit may be cited under section 327.4111, Florida statutes (F.S.), for a non-criminal violation. Owners who receive three or more citations within a 24-month period risk having their vessel removed and disposed of by the FWC under public nuisance vessel laws (s. 327.73(1)(gg), F.S.).
The permit is valid for one year and must be updated if the vessel relocates more than one nautical mile from its original registered location. Apply for a long-term anchoring at myfwc.com/boating/lt-anchoring-permit. For questions about the long-term anchoring permit, please email LTAP@MyFWC.com.
