Anchoring Julington Creek Mandarin Jacksonville

ppmarks · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011

Anyone have any information on the legality of anchoring off Mandarin park (Julington Creek ).We have had our small boat out there on a mooring for 2 years now. We take the boat out for three months year.
Yesterday my son was told by the local police marine patrol that we can’t keep the boat there.

Harborless · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011

There are many sailboats moored right off of the Marina at Julington Creek. I had heard they are planning on re-dredging that channel to make it a bit wider so maybe if your mooring is too close to the proposed constructions that is why. Other than that it beats me.. Unless you've been poaching that mooring all this time

saillife · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011

I did a search about this and found this 'article'. Note the guy was anchored. http://www.ssca.org/downloads/ccc/CC..._anchoring.pdf

I did some research into moorings a couple of years ago and what I away with was that the CG says you can put a mooring in anywhere you want as long as it isn't in a marked channel. The local officials may have a different viewpoint.

Me I'd give the marine police a call and see what their story is.

travlineasy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011

The installation of mooring balls vary from state to state, but in most instances the riparian owner of the adjacent property owns a certain amount of the bottom, which in some instances can be as far out as 600-feet from shore. I would check with the marine police first, but they sometimes tend to NOT know a lot about these things, so you may want to check other sources as well. In Maryland's portion of Chesapeake Bay, COMAR (Code Of Maryland Regulations) would be the ultimate source of information, but I'm not familiar with the sources for other states.

Gary

imagine2frolic · #5 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011

The marine police in this area are not all that friendly. I have seen them do some ugly, and taxpayers money wasted to the extremes. A very heavy power trip is owned by the authorities. They have the mindset thaqt everyone is the enemy.The poster would be better off getting a hold of Ken at the local news station........i2f

CaptainForce · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011

I've found the Marice Police (Florida Wildlife Commison) that parol this area to be friendly, professional and welcoming inquiries. I have spoken directly to one of the local officers who has his patrol boat based out of Fleming Island Marina across the river from Julington Creek. He has specifically stated that there is no restriction to anchoring or mooring in the Julington Creek area or any locations outside of marked channels and restricted zones. The requirement that is causing the problems among most anchored vessels in Julington Creek is the absence of a proper anchor light. It's important to note that the little solar powered garden lights sold at Home Depot no not have sufficient candlepower or a full night's longevity to be adequate. Make some polite inquiries. These people are not gestapo thugs and their purpose is to serve and protect the boating public. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

imagine2frolic · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011

It seems no matter what barrel you look into there will always be a few bad apples. I was wrong in coming across each & everyone is a bad apple. The authorities used our marina several times for practice, and nearly all were arrogant & cocky. This is also across from Julington Creek.

Someone called the auuthorites on a tenant for smoking pot in our marina. The authorites arrived with a scarab boat with several 200+hp outboards. a half a dozen police cars, helicopter that flew over the boat for well over an hour, a dog, and nothing found on the boat. One past member on the forums had the police sneak up behind him, board his boat without him noticing until they actually had their hands on the boat.........i2f

ppmarks · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011

Thanks for your help guys. I talked with Florida Fish and Wildlife. The officer told me I was fine as long as I am at anchor, not on a fixed mooring. Which some of those guys on the Creek are! Most of those guys on close inspection are on some kind of anchor buoy. So I will do that. FYI the officer I talked to was very courteous and helpful. He did say that the officer that stopped my son may have been looking for something to give us a ticket for . Our boat is coast guard compliant, and the beer was still at the dock
Thanks guys

saillife · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011

Did you ask what the difference between anchoring and mooring is?

I admire your courage if you're relying on just an anchor. I've always thought that an anchor is an invitation for the boat to drag it free while you're away.