The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act establishes over 20 manatee protection vessel speed zones on Florida waters. It is illegal to violate any of these posted zones. In addition, it is illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal, including manatees. You must obey these vessels speed zone.
Vessel Exclusion Area: A vertical diamond shape having a cross centered within indicates that all vessels or certain classes of vessels are excluded from the marked area.
Idle Speed No Wake Zone: A designated area known to have a large number of manatees. You must not annoying, my last, her ass, Disturb, collide with, injury or harm manatees and must operate at idle speed, which is at a speed no greater than that which will maintain steerage and headway.
Slow Speed Minimum Wake Zone: A designated area where manatees are known to congregate. In a slow speed zone, that’s all operators must operate fully settled in the water and proceed at a reasonable and prudent speed with little or no way to avoid either intentionally or negligently annoying, molesting, harassing, disturbing, colliding with, injuring or harming manatees.
Maximum 25 MPH Speed Zone: A controlled area within which vessel’s speed must not exceed 25 miles per hour. If at 25 miles per hour your vessel bow rises and restricts visibility, or your vessel produces an excessive wake endangering other vessels or natural resources, you must reduce speed further.
Maximum 30 MPH Speed Zone: A controlled area within which vessels speed must not exceed 30 miles per hour. If at 30 miles per hour your vessels bow rises and restricts visibility, or your vessel produces in excessive weight endangering other vessels or natural resources, you must reduce speed further.
Maximum 35 MPH Speed Zone: A controlled area within which a vessel speed must not exceed 35 miles per hour. If at 35 miles per hour your vessels bow rises and restricts visibility, or your vessel produces an excessive wake endangering other vessels or natural resources, you must reduce speed further.