Bullock addresses Village mooring issue

Town Manager Dave Bullock has responded to a complaint lodged by two St. Petersburg boaters that can’t find a convenient space to dock for lunch.

St. Petersburg residents Paul Tournier and Aleth Voarick sent an April 29 email to Mayor Jack Duncan, informing him they are having trouble docking between Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub in Longbeach Village.

“Over the last 25 years, we and our boating friends have had the pleasure of sailing down and anchoring in a small cove opposite Mar Vista and Moore’s, experiencing the pleasure of a nice trip from St. Pete and good meals and drinks at these restaurants,” Tournier wrote in the email. “But this past week is the third time we and two other boats had to pass up stopping because there isn’t any space to anchor to allow for proper swing room for boats over 35-feet.”

Tournier cited the approximately 12 sailboats anchored off the shore of Longboat Key in the area that they call “permanent residents of that anchorage.”

Bullock responded to the request in a May 1 email at Duncan’s request, explaining that boats are allowed to anchor offshore as long as they are not interfering with the marked channel in the intracoastal waterway. 

“During the busy season, Moore’s and Mar Vista attract a large number of customers/boaters who may have to find a spot further away from the restaurant,” said Bullock, who is also an avid boater. “Local governments, including the town of Longboat Key, are prohibited from regulating anchorages within waters of the state except in state designated mooring fields.”

Tournier also questions whether the boats are safe.

“I’m sure the loss of our business to the two restaurants is a minor point and we now go to Marina Jacks,” Tournier wrote. “But it really is a shame to see a beautiful anchorage become a floating slum.”

Bullock said the town’s marine patrol unit “is vigilant in checking the vessels in that area” and is currently working with two boaters to get their boats into compliance.

“An ugly vessel doesn’t equal a derelict vessel,” Bullock wrote.

Police have received complaints about boaters docking their boats in the area overnight for years.

Vessels are allowed to stay overnight in the town’s waterways as long as they have sufficient lighting. Bullock says there’s no evidence that any of the boats anchored in the area live there fulltime.

“They (the boat owners) all have other addresses,” Bullock wrote.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].