§ 5-2. Interference with navigation.

(a)

No person shall anchor, operate, or permit to be anchored, except in cases of emergency, a vessel or carry on any prohibited activity in a manner which shall unreasonably or unnecessarily constitute a navigational hazard or interfere with another vessel.

Anchoring under bridges or in or adjacent to heavily traveled channels shall constitute interference if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances.

(b)

No person shall moor or fasten a vessel to a lawfully placed aid-to-navigation marker or buoy, regulatory marker or buoy, or area boundary marker or buoy, placed or erected by any governmental agency, except in case of emergency.

No person shall willfully damage, alter, or move a lawfully placed aid-to-navigation marker or buoy, regulatory marker or buoy or area boundary marker or buoy.

(c)

No person shall moor or anchor a vessel in navigable waters outside of a designated mooring field overnight or during periods of limited visibility, without displaying a white mooring light(s) in accordance with USCG Rules of Navigation Number 30.

(d)

Restricted areas.

(1)

The city shall have the authority for establishing by resolution additional restricted areas on the waters of the state for any purpose deemed necessary for the safety of the public, including but not limited to, mooring fields, boat speeds and boat traffic where such restrictions are deemed necessary based on boating accidents, visibility, tides, congestion, or other navigation hazards. Each such restricted area shall be developed in consultation and coordination with Citrus County, and appropriate state and federal agencies.

(2)

It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel or to carry on any prohibited activity deemed a safety hazard or interference with navigation as provided above within a restricted water area which has been clearly marked, except in case of an emergency. This section shall not apply to patrol or rescue craft.

(Ord. No. 06-0-31, 12-11-2006)