Beach Living

Town reopens mooring field for wet storage

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach began a phased reopening of its Matanzas Pass Mooring Field this past week

The town made 19 new mooring systems available for wet storage, near the Matanzas Pass Bridge, Town of Fort Myers Beach Communications Director Jennifer Dexter announced

Construction of the 19 moorings was completed after Hurricane The moorings can accommodate vessels up to 85 feet in length

Any vessel in the town's mooring field must register online at www dockwa com to provide registration information and payment.

Many of the docks on the island were damaged, including the town's public dinghy docks, Dexter stated The Town’s upland services facilities were also damaged

For more information, contact the town's Harbor Master at 239-224-4118

Lee County issues burn ban

The Lee Board of County Commissioners enacted a burn ban for unincorporated Lee County and municipalities effective immediately due to increasingly dry conditions throughout Southwest Florida

The county’s ordinance bans “outdoor burning ignition sources,” including campfires, bonfires and trash burning Grills for food and backyard fire rings are not included Officials ask all county residents to be mindful of dry conditions and to use good judgment to mitigate potential for significant wildfires

Extended weather forecasts are for continuing dry conditions, and there is an elevated risk of wildfires from fallen trees in undeveloped lands due to Hurricane Ian

The Florida Forest Service offers residents information and tips at:

∫ Be Wildfire Ready: www fdacs gov/ForestWildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Prevention/Be-Wildfire-Ready

∫ Ready, Set, Go! Resources: www fdacs gov/ForestW i l d f i r e / W i l d l a n d - F i r e / F i r e - S a f e t y / R e a d y - S e t - G o !Resources

For the county to enact a burn ban, certain conditions must be met, including a Keetch-Byram Drought Index that reached or exceeds a value of 600 Lee’s index value today is a mean average of 602 out of 800 The county also coordinates with the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Florida Forest Service, both of which support the ban

This ban does not apply to prescribed burns authorized by the Florida Forest Service, authorized public fireworks displays permitted by Lee County and other government agencies, and fireworks sales authorized by state laws

The burn ban is accomplished by the Board adopting a State of Local Emergency Commission Chairman Brian Hamman signed that State of Local Emergency and the burn ban after the Board of County Commissioners voted at its regularly scheduled March 7 meeting to authorize him to do so when conditions were met

County officials will continue to monitor the drought conditions to determine how long the burn ban will be in place

Commission is reminding everyone to enjoy their spring break safely

“Nothing can ruin a great day on the water quicker than a boating accident,” said Maj Alberto Maza, South Region Bravo Regional Commander “So, we are encouraging everyone coming to the beautiful Fishing and Boating Capital of the World to stay safe while enjoying our beautiful waterways ”

Life jackets save lives Statistics show that drowning is the leading cause of death in boating accidents and that most people who drown in these accidents were not wearing a life jacket Boating accidents are unpredictable, so wearing a life jacket at all times is the best protection

“There are many kinds of life jackets now available o n t h e m a r k e t , ” s a i d C a p t R a c h e l B r y a n t , F W C B o a t i n g a n d W a t e r w a y s B o a t i n g S a f e t y L e a d e r “Whether you are fishing, paddling, operating or riding a boat, kayak, personal watercraft or any other type of vessel, there are many comfortable choices available, so make sure to choose the best one for you ”

Know what is going on around you and your boat at all times. The operator of a boat should always maintain 360-degree awareness It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure they are avoiding other boaters, people in the water, navigational hazards and are aware of all posted boating restricted areas, such as manatee zones A leading contributor to boating accidents is operator inattention or failure to maintain a proper lookout

“Unfortunately, each year FWC officers respond to too many tragic accidents that could have been prevented,” said Maj Rob Beaton, FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader “It only takes following a few simple and effective safety precautions to potentially save lives ”

The FWC has zero-tolerance for operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

“Our officers will be looking for impaired operators and removing them from the water by arrest,” said Col Roger Young, FWC Director of Law Enforcement “Operating a vessel while impaired puts everyone around you in danger ”

Have a plan, know where you are going, check your safety equipment and watch the weather Let family and friends know where you are going and when you will return

To report dangerous activity on the water, call 8884 0 4 - F W C C ( 8 8 8 - 4 0 4 - 3 9 2 2 ) o r t e x t 8 4 7 4 1 1 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” followed by the location and any information you can about the violation.

For more information on boating safety or to find out how to sign up for an FWC recommended boating safety course, visit: MyFWC com/Boating f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r