PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The Palm Beach Police Department has been actively working to enforce new vessel regulations in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
The Town of Palm Beach approved the ordinance in November, under which vessels can no longer anchor within town waters for more than 30 days within a six-month period, and illegal moorings are strictly prohibited.
During a Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, officials gave an update on the recent enforcement actions since the latest Town Council Meeting, which include:
- 21 vessels have been identified for enforcement action.
- 16 Notices of Violation have been issued, bringing the total to 50.
- Three citations have been handed out for illegal moorings.
- 7 vessels have been removed and towed, totaling 15 vessels removed so far.
- The number of vessels currently within Town jurisdiction has decreased to approximately 70, down from 168 during initial enforcement efforts.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is engaged in managing four derelict vessels identified in collaborative actions.
Officials stated that these enforcement initiatives are aimed at ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws, addressing issues such as unlawful anchoring, derelict vessels, and environmental hazards that affect the Intracoastal Waterway…