The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has approved a new boating restricted area in Broward County, aiming to improve safety along a busy stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway between the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge and the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge near Lauderdale Beach.
The decision, finalized at the FWC’s November meeting, comes in response to safety concerns caused by heavy vessel traffic in the area. The newly established zone will serve as a slow-speed, minimum-wake area designed to reduce collisions and enhance public safety.
“Ths portion of the waterway experiences a high volume of boats and personal watercraft, creating a significant risk of collisions at higher speeds,” said Maj. Bill Holcomb, leader of the FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “Reducing vessel speed in this stretch of the waterway will provide operators with greater reaction time to avoid collisions with other vessels, land, or shore-based structures such as docks and boat lifts. Our top priority is the safety of everyone on Florida’s waterways.”
The affected area lies between two existing year-round idle-speed, no-wake zones surrounding the bordering bridges. It also overlaps with a seasonal manatee protection zone, where speed limits vary by season. From April 1 through Nov. 14, the limit is 25 mph with a 50-foot slow-speed buffer. From Nov. 15 through March 31, the zone becomes a slow-speed area all day on weekdays and from 7p.m. to 7a.m. on weekends and holidays.
Once the new rule goes into effect, FWC officials will update signs in the area to mark the new restrictions. Officers will initially take an educational approach, informing boaters about the changes before enforcement begins.
The FWC emphasizes that the goal of the new restriction is not to limit recreation, but to ensure safer waterways for both residents and visitors in Fort Lauderdale’s bustling boating community.
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