Boaters should know the rules of their local waters
For Florida residents, winter is known as “snowbird season.” The season is great for the economy; however, for our manatees, things can get a little dicey.
There are over 1 million registered vessels and an estimated 1 million unregistered vessels in Florida. Because the state doesn’t require every boat operator to take a NASBLA-approved boating course, too many boaters haven’t got a clue about federal, state and local rules and regulations. What surprises me even more is the number of America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons members who haven’t taken America’s Boating Course. This used to be a membership requirement, and it provided members with a baseline of general boating knowledge; information about federal, state and local laws; and knowledge about how to boat safely in local waters.
Recently, during a squadron executive leadership meeting, this education deficiency became apparent. The person sitting next to me was telling me about a neighbor who was trying to attract manatees to their dock with a water hose. I asked, “Did you tell them it was illegal to do that?” Unfortunately, I was not surprised to learn that they didn’t know that.
When I asked if they had taken America’s Boating Course, the answer was, “No, I have a captain’s license.”
I explained that Florida has several unique boating laws protecting manatees as our area has a large population. Currently a threatened species, manatees are protected by federal and state laws. Under Florida law, the neighbor’s behavior is considered harassment.
If you’re planning to boat in Florida, you need to know about laws designed to protect manatees. Although manatees are by nature a migratory species, they like warm water, so when they find it, they tend to stick around and not migrate.
Areas with naturally warm springs have always been favorite spots for manatees. When Florida built coal-fired power plants along the coast, the warm water outflow created wintering spots for manatees.
If you’re planning to boat in Florida, you need to know about laws designed to protect manatees.
As the power plants converted from coal to gas, the discharge water was too cool for manatees, so environmentalists forced the power companies to install industrial heaters to warm the discharge water.
Because manatees are on the threatened species list, the federal government has mandated protection areas around the power plants with designated speed zones. Some speed zones are in force year-round; others are seasonal. If you plan to boat in an area with manatees, it’s good to know where those speed zones are found. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has downloadable maps for each county showing the location of those zones.
If you have never boated where there are manatees, FWC has some helpful information you can download and read before you visit.
Speed zones are not the only protections for manatees. Florida takes manatee harassment seriously; any act that disrupts a manatee’s normal behavior is considered harassment. Violations of these protections are punishable by a fine of up to $50,000, one year imprisonment, or both.
If you don’t want to be found guilty of harassment, do not:
- give food to manatees;
- use water to attract manatees to your boat, dock or marina,
etc., where manatees may be harmed; - separate a cow and her calf;
- disturb manatee mating herds;
- pursue manatees or chase them from warm water sites;
- disturb resting manatees;
- hit, injure or harm manatees;
- jump on, stand on, hold onto or ride manatees;
- grab or kick manatees;
- block a manatee’s path if one or more move toward you;
- hunt or kill manatees;
- use your vessel to pursue or harass manatees; or
- “fish” for or attempt to hook or catch manatees.
If you witness any violations, you are encouraged to report the offender to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submit a tip online.
This nonprofit program was created to encourage citizens to report fish, wildlife and boating violations. Rewards up to $1,000 are offered depending on the violation. Pictures and videos help in the capture and prosecution of offenders.
While boating, if you or someone else accidentally hits a manatee, it’s best to stop and make sure the manatee is not injured. It is also recommended that you call FWC and report the incident. They might ask you to stay on scene until someone comes out to investigate.
DID YOU KNOW?
NEWLY PROPOSED CHANGES BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT COULD IMPACT THE FLORIDA MANATEE. FIND OUT HOW.
America’s Boating Course instructors always stress that you should check out state and local rules and regulations before boating in another state. If you plan on boating in Florida, the rules can be found here.
You will find over 30 clubs and squadrons in Florida, most of these in coastal cities. Reach out to the club closest to where you are staying as they can be a great source of local information on boating rules and conditions.
Finally, please consider this finding reported by FWC: “The boat operator most likely to be involved in a boating accident is a middle-age or older male who has boating experience yet has never learned the most important safety considerations by having taken a boating safety course.” If you haven’t taken America’s Boating Course, please consider doing so, as you might be surprised by what else you can learn.
