News Releases

Miami-Dade to get improved boating signs

News Release

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Media contact: Jorge Pino, 561-723-1417

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin work to remove, repair and install waterway markers in state-adopted manatee protection and boating safety zones in Miami-Dade County. The work begins this month and should be completed by the end of the year.

"There are several areas around the county where officers are issuing warnings only, because the signs are missing or damaged," said Capt. Mark Hodges, of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement. "After completion of the project and an education period, officers will begin issuing citations for speed violations within these zones."

The FWC is replacing signs that have been damaged by storms, have deteriorated from age or are in disrepair due to vandalism. The work also includes the removal of unpermitted and illegal signs, which cause operator confusion and make the state-adopted zones unenforceable. In addition, signs that display incorrect regulatory information will be either removed or replaced, and some markers will be relocated to accurately post the state-adopted manatee protection and boating safety regulatory zones.

Boaters are urged to use caution, particularly in narrow waterways, while the sign construction is under way.

"It's important to slow down vessel traffic in congested areas and where manatees frequent in order to adequately protect the safety of the boating public and manatees," Hodges said. "The construction will create more clearly marked zones, which improves operator compliance."

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating to access state manatee protection and boating safety regulations and maps.