Manatee Pocket Mooring Field

Martin County's second mooring field lies in the Manatee Pocket at Stuart, in two parts: 36 moorings across a North and a South Field, open to transient and long-term moorage customers. The North Field takes vessels up to 40 ft, the South Field up to 30 ft, and 40 ft is the maximum length allowed anywhere in it. The county accepts seaworthy, properly titled and registered vessels only.

The moorings are steel helix anchors with Helmken StormSoft upline buoy systems. Reservations go through (772) 320-3144, and a 4-digit code for the amenities comes with the booking. Restrooms are ashore and there is a dinghy dock on site; the laundry is a mile away. Dinghies go on one line, not side-tied, and not in front of the harbormaster's boat.

The county gives an average depth of 5 to 7 ft at mean lower low water. Unlike its Jensen Beach field, it names the datum here. It is still an average over a field, not a sounding at a particular buoy, and the county asks for the vessel's draft when you reserve — along with its length, beam and name.

A mooring is $30 plus tax a day, $180 plus tax a week or $400 plus tax a month. Cancelling carries a one-time recovery charge of $10.00, and a monthly or long-term booking a 20% fee on top. Late arrivals and early departures are not eligible for a refund.

Vessels 40 ft and under — which is all of them here — need insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence. A stay of 30 days or more also needs proof of registration and Martin County named as an additional insured.

A vessel counts as a liveaboard once it is inhabited for any five consecutive days, or ten days within a 30-day period, and that status is limited to not more than six months within a 12-month period.