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Walton County workshop hears split view on captain-license rule for commercial boat operators
Summary
At a Walton County public workshop on boat-launch rules, county staff, charter captains and pontoon-rental operators debated an ordinance that requires commercial-vessel owners to hold a captain's license. Supporters cited safety and enforcement; opponents said the requirement would shutter small rental businesses and urged phased enforcement.
Walton County officials and waterfront business owners debated whether an existing county waterways ordinance that requires commercial-vessel owners to hold a captain’s license should remain in force during a public workshop on boat-launch activity.
The issue matters to safety regulators and to people whose livelihoods depend on short-term rentals, charters and launches from county ramps, particularly Cessna Landing in South Walton, where residents and commercial operators say congestion and passenger pickups have increased.
County staff described the ordinance as adopted previously and still active, and said code compliance has been enforcing permit rules. “The ordinance has not changed,” Beach Operations staff said during the meeting. Staff…
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