Anchorage Advisory Committee hears maritime report: derelict‑vessel law, mooring maintenance and boat‑ramp plans

At the meeting Curtis Ludwig delivered the maritime operations report, describing vessel counts, derelict-vessel enforcement, mooring-ball maintenance and possible boat-ramp repairs.

Curtis said the back anchorage held roughly a dozen vessels and noted two sunken vessels in the back anchorage that have been tagged and are proceeding through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) derelict-vessel process. "So what that is doing now is it's holding the owners responsible for the derelict vessels or live aboards," Curtis said, referencing the recently enacted measure he identified in the meeting as "house bill 1164."

On maintenance, Curtis said the town secured a contract to start work on mooring-ball systems this week and expects to use American Underwater for a semiannual rotation of maintenance. Committee members asked about Coast Guard involvement for mooring-ball replacement; Curtis said the Coast Guard has work on the schedule but dry-dock timing (March) may delay their visit.

Curtis also reported outreach for grants to repair boat ramps at Matanzas and Coconut beaches, and an in-progress negotiation with Matanzas Inn for a two-year agreement that could include office space, showers, restrooms and dockage; the town attorney is reviewing the contract before a council submittal.

He said the town recovered and repaired an enforcement boat and is exploring dry-storage options at Walker's Cay Marina (also referred to as Fishtail), but the annual slip cost (roughly $1,500–$1,600) is not yet budgeted; code enforcement would share the cost and staff will pursue funding options.

On buoy maintenance, Curtis noted three yellow special-purpose buoys were lost in recent wind events; the maintenance contractor will re-install those buoys this week and coastal engineering has been consulted to examine how the buoys are secured.

The committee asked Curtis to return with additional information later in the budget season on occupancy and rate changes so staff can analyze whether recent price increases affected boater behavior. "We are going to be looking at that, in the summertime when it starts rolling into budget season," Curtis said.

The committee did not take formal policy action on these operational items but directed staff to continue maintenance, finalize contracts through the town attorney and pursue grants for ramp repairs.