Sec. 388.304. - Vessels Interfering with navigation.

In addition to the provisions of Section 28.723 ("Boating"), and the limitations on docking as described in Chapter 615 ("Docking"), (a) On the waters of the county, except in case of emergency, a person may not anchor, moor or ground, or allow to be anchored, moored, or aground, a vessel in a manner which unreasonably or unnecessarily constitutes a navigational hazard or interference with another vessel, that hinders access to a public right-of-way or to public utilities, or creates an imminent danger to public safety or to the environment. (b) Anchoring, mooring or grounding a vessel under bridges or in or adjacent to heavily traveled channels constitutes a navigational hazard or interference with another vessel if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances. The term under bridges includes bridge approaches, bridge fenders or piles driven or placed for the protection of bridges or their approaches or in the area between the bank or shore owned by a public authority and the bridge fender system. (c) Anchoring or mooring a vessel to any marker or other aid to navigation constitutes a navigational hazard. (d) On the waters of the county, except in case of emergency, a person may not anchor or moor, or allow to be anchored or moored, a vessel to a floating structure. Vessels in use by a licensed marine contractor, or agent thereof, for water-dependent construction or shoreside vessel operation that are anchored or moored to a commercial or governmental floating structure that is in use by the licensed marine contractor, or agent thereof, for water-dependent construction or shoreside vessel operation are exempt from this subsection. Floating structures owned or operated by the City of Jacksonville to which watercraft are permitted to be moored, such as within the definition of dock, in Section 28.701 , are exempt from the prohibition on anchoring or mooring to floating structures under this Part. (e) A mechanical failure that poses an unreasonable risk of harm to the vessel or the persons onboard such vessel may constitute an emergency. The owner, operator, or other person legally responsible for such vessel may anchor, moor or be aground, on the waters of the county, for five business days or until the vessel is repaired, whichever occurs first, unless the vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily constitutes a navigational hazard or interferes with another vessel. Imminent or existing weather conditions in the vicinity of the vessel that pose an unreasonable risk of harm to the vessel or to the persons onboard such vessel may constitute an emergency. However, during a hurricane or tropical storm, weather conditions are deemed to no longer pose an unreasonable risk of harm when the hurricane or tropical storm warning affecting the area has expired. (Ord. 2025-432-E , § 5)