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I am just stunned!! Safety? Let me tell you about safety...
In March of last year, I was sailing from Key West to Port Charlotte when I encountered a storm off of Marco Island. I sustained substantial damage to my 34" Ketch rigged sailboat and was forced to come in from offshore. As I required unforseen repairs to my boat, I could not afford to pay for a slip and so I anchored almost in the exact spot Dave Dumas anchored his vessel Kinship. Due to weather and repair time, I had NO CHOICE except to stay anchored for 8 days. This was before the new ordinance so I did not experience any harassment from law officials. I wonder, though, what would have happenned if this had happened after the ordinance was in effect. Would I have been forced to leave and continue my trip in an unsafe boat?

This ordinance is NOT about safety. It is about elitists restricting the freedom of all boaters (particularly those who are not wealthy) from access to PUBLIC waterways. (presumably to keep out the "riff raff") There are lawful means to remove derelict vessels or other hazards to navigation already in place. Just because my boat is not new and shiny doesn't mean that I am not ENTITLED to access to PUBLIC waterways.

I am grateful to Dave for going out on the limb for everyones right to access THEIR waterways and wish him luck. Thanks Dave!!!

I urge the City of Marco Island to rescind this ridiculous (and unconstitutional) ordinance.