WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — The Town of Wrightsville Beach has been a stopping point for Wally Moran for the past several years as he makes his way south. Sometimes he stops in town for just a few nights, other times he stays for weeks, but regardless of the length of time, chances are he is spending money, providing to the local economy.
But recent discussions among the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen surrounding new rules limiting the length of time boaters can anchor in Wrightsville Beach waters has him concerned.
Moran is not only an avid boater but a writer for a national cruising magazine, a seminar speaker at international boat shows, and the creator of “Sailing South – the First Timer’s Guide to the ICW.”
From fuel to food, sailors and other boaters making their way through Wrightsville Beach spend money and help provide income to local businesses. But Moran says that if the Town of Wrightsville Beach proceeds with increased legislation to restrict access for boaters it could end up leaving them with a “black eye” in the boating community.
“If you don’t like looking at these boats, maybe you should buy a house inland. The water and the boats were there long before the houses were,” he said.
Moran has been coming through Wrightsville Beach every season for the past 15 years, he said, but if he had to stay at docks instead of anchoring in the waters, the town would cease to be a stop for his trips.
No small fleet
It’s not just Moran though, every fall he brings 15-20 boaters through Wrightsville Beach, and as boaters make their way south for the winter they use the town’s waters as an anchoring spot.
Much like debates that have continued in Florida, the concerns of homeowners are often less about safety and other concerns, and more about homeowners thinking since they live on the water they own the view, Moran said.
He did not mince his words with his thoughts on residents with homes on the waterways complaining about boats in their view.
“If you don’t like looking at these boats, maybe you should buy a house inland. The water and the boats were there long before the houses were,” he said.
There are some arguments Moran said he could potentially agree with town leaders on including restricting short-term rentals on boats anchored in the water, but other concerns like discharging of waste are already regulated.
There are federal as well as state regulations that dictate when, where, and how often a boat must discharge of its waste tanks. Enforcing regulations already in place would solve any concerns residents might have about that issue.
While the town might have some rights to regulate the waters in its jurisdiction, the rights of boaters have to also be taken into account, he said.
And he’s not alone with his views.
Too many boaters, or not enough enforcement?
Ron Norton is also a frequent visitor to Wrightsville Beach’s waters and he says enforcement of regulations is one of the biggest problems. When it comes to abandoned boats, Norton says they cause just as much of a concern to other boaters as it does the town.
“I have seen the same boat there on my way up to Beaufort and still there on my way back 2 months later so current rules are not enforced. Responsible cruisers dislike these deserted derelict boats as much as you do. They represent a danger to us as well as docks. Enforce the laws already in place to deal with this. Get the registration number. Contact the owner to remove it and confiscate the boat if no response,” he said.
The discharging of waste is a concern for everyone, not just town leaders, again, this is something Norton says most boaters dislike.
“Nobody likes this (dumping waste), we like to swim in our anchorage too. You have a no discharge zone. Why not enforce it? Boats can pump out just around the corner at Seapath or the city could invest in a pump out boat and charge for the service. Give a dated receipt and require weekly pump-out,” Norton suggests.
Norton has sailed and anchored across most of the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and is currently in Grenada. He says the concerns Wrighstville Beach are not unique.
“Communities all deal with these issues differently and mostly ineffectively. I would suggest that the town council discuss their issues with a reputable ocean use organization like BoatUS and/or get input from others who live on and respect the ocean,” he said.
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