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Punta Gorda council asks staff to pursue anchoring‑limitation strategy to tackle derelict vessels
Summary
After extended public comment, council directed staff to coordinate with Charlotte County and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission on using a new 14‑day permit window and an anchoring limitation area (45‑day limit) to reduce derelict vessel problems and improve safety and hurricane resilience.
Council members and numerous residents spent a large portion of the Jan. 14 meeting debating options to address derelict and abandoned vessels in Punta Gorda’s harbor. Chief Pam Smith of the Punta Gorda Police Department described a two‑part approach based on recent state law and a local anchoring‑limitation area.
"This came about for years we've been having a lot of derelict vessel issues in the area in front of Gilchrist Park," Chief Smith said, describing safety and property‑damage incidents. She explained the new state provision requiring vessels anchored within about one nautical mile…
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