Boaters Displaced by New Anchoring Rules

St. Lucie County and Fort Pierce's new anchoring restrictions, implemented in June, have inadvertently displaced numerous boaters. These individuals, previously utilizing areas within Fort Pierce Inlet, have moved their vessels to Wildcat Cove on North Hutchinson Island. This influx has drawn the attention of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which has begun issuing citations to owners of "at-risk vessels" in the area.

FWC officers are actively monitoring Wildcat Cove and investigating vessels, noting that enforcement actions in surrounding counties and the new anchoring requirements appear to be driving this shift. Boaters, accustomed to using the cove as a protected anchorage, particularly before hurricanes, are facing challenges as housing and marina costs rise. They suggest the establishment of a managed mooring field as a viable alternative.

However, Fort Pierce officials have stated they are not considering creating a managed mooring field near Wildcat Cove. A managed mooring field is defined as a legally regulated area where boats are secured to permanent anchors via mooring buoys, offering an organized and environmentally sound solution.