FWC Home Boating Home Boating Safety Regulations Information Education Downloads Boat Ramps Accidents Waterways Regulations Derelict Vessel Manatee Zones Grants BIGP FBIP Advisory Council Members Application Forms Meetings Presentations

Still have a Question?
Search the Knowledge Base or Ask FWC.

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.

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.

• Notice to Navigation Interests - Restricted Lock Operations, Okeechobee Waterway (3211kb pdf)
• Paddling Trail Information
• Report a damaged marker
• Derelict Vessels
  We maintain a database of all abandoned or derelict vessels in Florida waters. We coordinate for the removal of derelict vessels that pose a threat to navigation or a hazard to the environment. Also, we provide grants to coastal local governments for the removal of derelict vessels from Florida waters.

Important information to note:

Based on considerable public comment to date, we have created this initial draft to initiate further discussion on the topic.  We want your  input, ideas, and possible solutions.  The draft is likely to change form significantly before final legislation is proposed.

• First public meeting is scheduled for September 9th at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort.  The meeting will be from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Staff will be scheduling additional public meetings in the near future.  Individuals and organizations on our list of interested parties will receive notice when these additional meetings are scheduled.
• Staff will not be presenting language at the September 17-19 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Meeting in Jacksonville.  Staff will be presenting a five minute update to the Commissioners on our progress so far.

Anchoring/Mooring (Vessel Management)

FWC is reviewing best management practices for state and local governments to regulate vessel operation, including mooring/anchoring, speed regulations, and vessel exclusion areas.  The review is intended to recommend policies that will provide uniformity in vessel anchoring/mooring regulations statewide.

• Best Management Practices Update
• Vessel Management Brief
• Anchoring Mooring PowerPoint Update

Boating Access

We provide recreational boating access in Florida by maintaining over 200 freshwater boat ramps. For information concerning FWC boat ramps or waterway markers, please call 407-846-5392. Please see the Grants section below for information concerning funding to enhance boating access through competitive grants.

• Grants
• 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.

Boating Related Public Workshop Information

• Workshops for Boat Rental Businesses
• Martin County Boating Workshop
• Martin County Draft Rule
• Okeechobee County Draft Rule
• Martin County Vessel Traffic Study
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Introduction, Part 1
  3. Introduction, Part 2
  4. Data Collection and Inventory, Part 1
  5. Data Collection and Inventory, Part 2
  6. Data Collection and Inventory, Part 3
  7. Boating Safety Risk Analysis
  8. GIS Model Output, Part 1
  9. GIS Model Output, Part 2
  10. GIS Model Output, Part 3
  11. Conclusions and Recommendations
• Martin County Workshop Minutes
  • Martin County Workshop Minutes 7-9-08
  • Martin County Workshop Minutes - 3-25-08
  • Matrix Results - Sea Grant - 3-2008

FWC now accepting applications for BIGP grants.
Deadline to apply is October 10. Click here for more information.

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.

NASBLA Annual Conference
September 6 – 10, 2008
Clearwater Beach, Florida

Counties Required to Report on Vessel Registration Fees

MyFWC.com · Copyright © 1999-2008 State of Florida · Privacy Statement ·  EEO/AA/ADA
Advertising Statement & Disclaimer

Last updated: September 03, 2008 04:17 PM