Boating

Boating Safety

We gather and evaluate statewide boating accident statistics in an effort to identify problem areas and trends. This information is used as a basis for the development of initiatives designed to improve boater awareness, minimize risk of accidents, and help make Florida's waterways safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Anchoring/Mooring Pilot Program

The pilot program is intended to explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of non-live-aboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields.  The pilot program are to encourage the establishment of additional public mooring fields and to promote the establishment and use of public mooring fields, promote public access to the waters of this state, enhance navigational safety, protect maritime infrastructure, protect the marine environment, and deter improperly stored, abandoned, or derelict vessels.

• Local Governments Who Sent Letter of Intent (111KB)
• Potential Anchoring/Mooring Pilot Program Participants (102KB)
• Cover Letter (181KB)
• Field Questionnaire (180KB)
• Summary Charts   (175KB)
• 327.4105 - Pilot Program for Regulation of Mooring Vessels Outside of Public Mooring Fields

Waterway Management

We oversee and coordinate statewide regulatory waterway markers to insure compliance with the uniform marking system and to improve compliance of state boating and resource protection zones for the long term well-being and benefit of all waterway users and the fish and wildlife resources.

• Paddling Trail Information
• Report a damaged marker
• Palm Beach County Boating Safety Zones ADOPTED
  • Palm Beach County Boating Restricted Areas - 68D-24.017 (157KB)
• 68D-21 (Approval of Ordinances) and 68D-23 (Uniform Waterway Markers)
  • The next public meeting will be held on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 5:15PM
    • Discussion of Draft Rule 68D-21
    • Discussion of Draft Rule Amendments to 68D-23 (439KB)
    • Discussion of Rule Repeal 68D-18
  • The deadline to submit written comments is May 28th. Comments can be emailed to Waterway.Management@MyFWC.com
  • Supporting Documentation
    • Section 50.011 – 50.031, Florida Statutes
    • Section 327.33, Florida Statutes
    • Section 327.46, Florida Statutes
    • United States Coast Guard Rule 6 - Safe Speed and Rule 9 - Narrow Channels
    • Code of Federal Regulations
    • USCG Aids to Navigation Manual - Administration Manual (COMDTINST M16500.7A, March 2, 2005)
    • USCG Aids to Navigation Manual - Technical Manual (COMDTINST M16500.3A, February 11, 2005)
    • USCG Aids to Navigation Manual - Structures (COMDTINST M16500.25A, November 7, 2005)
• Written Comments Received following Jan 26, 2010 Workshop
  • 68D-21 (167KB)
  • 68D-23 (117KB)

To be added to the email distribution list to receive information concerning this issue; please send an email to Luke.Davis@myfwc.com

Boating Access

FWC works to improve boating access by identifying potential sites for new boating access facilities; identifying facilities in need of renovation or expansion; constructing and renovating boating access facilities on State-owned lands; and administering grants programs for boating access and boating-related activities.  We provide recreational boating access in Florida by maintaining over 200 freshwater boat ramps. 

• Florida Boating Access Facilities Inventory and Economic Study, including a pilot study for Lee County - 2009
  • A Process for Public Access Investment Decisions
  • Economic Contribution of Registered Boater Spending to the Florida Economy
  • Online Boating Economic Impact Model
  • Executive Summary (5.47MB)
  • Full Report - Boating Access Facilities Inventory and Economic Study (32.4MB)
  • Appendices (44.0MB)

Boating Grant Programs

Grant programs to enhance boating access and other boating-related activities from the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP), funding for transient tie-up facilities for boats 26' or longer from the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BigP), assistance for removal of derelict vessels from the Derelict Vessels Removal Grant Program, and other boating-related grant programs. Follow this link for additional information on application submission dates.

When a tropical storm or hurricane affects our state, Florida's boat owners and operators have more to be concerned about than just their homes and families.  The FWC has gathered the following informational resources to help boaters prepare for storms and be better able to deal with the aftermath.

• Storm tracking through the National Hurricane Center.
• Preparing your boat for an impending storm. Boat US Hurricane Resource Center
• Storm warning information from the U.S. Coast Guard Storm Center.
• What Florida law says about mandatory marina evacuations. Chapter 327.59, F.S., Marina Evacuations
• Florida Hurricane Debris Clean-up Information.
• Marina eligibility for disaster relief through Small Business Administration loans. SBA Disaster Assistance
• Reporting missing and/or damaged waterway markers.
• Report storm damaged boats that may be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement.

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