Rule change lets boats approach Naples Pier, sparking worry

NAPLES, Fla. Fishing, bird-watching and dolphin-spotting are some of the reasons why people go to the Naples Pier.

But a recent change has some concerned about their safety.

A longstanding rule prohibiting boaters from approaching the pier ended last week when a 60-year-old sign was taken down.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has to approve any signs posted on the beach, but they were unaware of the sign at the pier, which read “boats keep back 150 feet,” City of Naples Harbormaster Roger Jacobsen said.

The city fielded a complaint about the sign, prompting it to be taken down. Without the sign to warn boaters, there’s no way to enforce the rule. So, the city took the rule off the books.

Boaters still aren’t allowed to tie their vessels to the pilings or go underneath the pier. But frequent visitors worry boaters will take advantage of the situation and threaten fishermen.

“It could be dangerous if you’ve got a lot of lines out there with hooks on them, they could get hooked,” resident George Adams said.

If the change generates complaints, Jacobsen plans to take the issue to City Council, Jacobsen said.