LONGBOAT KEY – Boaters will soon be prohibited from pulling ashore at two locations on Greer Island, also known as Beer Can Island, along the east side of the Longboat Pass Bridge.
The new restrictions are expected to be in place for the Fourth of July weekend.
The Longboat Key Town Commission adopted permanent restrictions on June 20 prohibiting the operation, anchoring and beaching of motorized vessels in two areas at the southeastern portion of Greer Island. Both soon- to-be-restricted areas are located at or near the popular landing area just east of the Longboat Pass Bridge, across the bay from Jewfish Key.
The town distributed a press release on June 22 regarding the pending prohibition, including a map that highlights in red the prohibited landing areas.
“Buoys marking the motorized vessels restricted areas will be installed prior to the 4th of July weekend. Boaters are advised to be aware of these areas, and that violations will carry a $250 penalty for a first offense and $500 for any subsequent offenses,” according to the press release. “The purpose is to protect public bathers that bathe, wade, lounge and congregate in and on the shallow waters of this portion of Greer Island from dangers caused by increased vessel operations along the beach. These areas will be limited to beachgoers, waders, kayakers, paddleboarders and other non-motorized vessels.”
When contacted by The Sun, Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Department Director Allen Parsons said the map contained
in the press release is helpful for understanding exactly where the new restrictions will apply.
“The two areas in red, that’s where motorized vessels cannot pull up onto the sand. Our goal is to have the buoys put out by the Fourth of July weekend. There is an area on the east side of the bridge where motorized boats can pull onto the sand,” Parsons said, noting the boat landing prohibitions will be permanent.
Parsons said the motorized boat landing prohibitions will not apply
to the long stretch of beach that runs along the length of Longboat Pass on the west side of the bridge, between the bridge and the Gulf of Mexico.
