As of May 1, the Manatee Slow Speed Zone is in effect for Flagler County we have
three zones. Manatee protection rules are rules that are established by FWC to restrict
the speed and operation of vessels where necessary to protect manatees from harmful
collisions with vessels and from harassment. In areas that are especially important to
manatees, the rules can prohibit or limit entry into an area as well as restrict what
activities can be performed in the area. FWC is authorized to adopt these rules by the
Manatee Sanctuary Act, 379.2431(2), Florida Statutes (FS). The rules appear in
Chapter 68C-22 of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC).
68C-22.028 (a) SLOW SPEED (May 1 – September 7):
1. Hammock Dunes Parkway Area – All waters, including in the ICW channel, south of
a line that bears 70° from a point (approximate latitude 29° 34' 49'' North, approximate
longitude 81° 11' 34'' West) on the western shoreline of the ICW approximately 2,700
feet north of the Hammock Dunes Parkway Bridge, north of a line that bears 70° from a
point (approximate latitude 29° 34' 21'' North, approximate longitude 81° 11' 21'' West)
on the western shoreline of the ICW approximately 300 feet south of the Hammock
Dunes Parkway Bridge, and east of the Palm Harbor Parkway Bridge;
2. North of Lehigh Canal Area – All waters east of the ICW channel south of a line that
bears 70 o through Red ICW Channel Marker “6” (approximate latitude 29° 30' 50'' North,
approximate longitude 81° 09' 00'' West) and north of a line that bears 70° from a point
(approximate latitude 29° 29' 59'' North, approximate longitude 81° 08' 41'' West) on the
western shoreline of the ICW approximately 500 feet north of Lehigh Canal;
3. Lehigh Canal to State Road 100 Area – All waters of Lehigh Canal; and all waters,
including in the ICW channel, south of a line that bears 70° from a point (approximate
latitude 29° 29' 59'' North, approximate longitude 81° 08' 41'' West) on the western
shoreline of the ICW approximately 500 feet north of Lehigh Canal and north of a line
that bears 70° from a point (approximate latitude 29° 28' 34'' North, approximate
longitude 81° 08' 12'' West) on the western shoreline of the ICW approximately 500 feet
south of the SR 100 (Moody Blvd.) Bridge; and,
4. Vicinity of Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area – All waters, including in the
ICW channel except as otherwise designated in paragraph (2)(b), below, south of a line
that bears 70° through Red ICW Channel Marker “20” (approximate latitude 29° 27' 08''
North, approximate longitude 81° 07' 37'' West) and north of the Flagler County/Volusia
County line.
(b) MAXIMUM 25 MPH (May 1 – September 7) – Those waters in the marked ICW
channel south of a line that bears 70° from a point (approximate latitude 29° 26' 36''
North, approximate longitude 81° 07' 03'' West) on the western shoreline of the ICW
approximately 900 feet north of Red ICW Channel Marker “22” and north of the Flagler
County/Volusia County line.
Vessel Speed Restrictions
- Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Idle Speed – No Wake" must
operate at the minimum speed that allows the vessel to maintain headway and
steerageway. - Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Slow Down – Minimum Wake" must
operate fully off plane and completely settled in the water. - The vessel's wake must not be excessive nor create a hazard to other vessels.
Manatee Awareness - Manatees are protected by state and federal law.
- It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal, including manatees.
- Anything that disrupts a manatee's normal behavior is a violation of law, punishable
under federal law up to a $50,000 fine, one-year imprisonment, or both. - Boaters must observe all manatee protection zone requirements.
- Boaters who accidentally strike a manatee are urged to report the strike to the FWC
and may not be subject to prosecution, provided they were operating in accordance
with any applicable vessel speed restrictions at the time of the strike. What can you do?
Abide by the posted speed zone signs while in areas known to be used by manatees or
when observations indicate manatees might be present.
- Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare on the surface of the water, which will
enable you to see manatees more easily. - Try to stay in deep-water channels whenever possible.
- Avoid boating over seagrass beds and shallow areas. Manatees are often found in
shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and coastal areas. - Remain at least 50 feet away from a manatee when operating a powerboat.
- Please don't discard monofilament line, hooks, or any other litter into the water.
Manatees and other wildlife may ingest or become entangled in this debris and can
become injured or even die.
- Do not provide food or water to manatees, as doing so teaches them to seek out human
interaction and brings them into close contact with boats.
What do you look for when trying to see manatees?
Observations may include a swirl on the surface caused by the manatee when diving;
seeing the animals back, snout, tail, or flipper break the surface of the water; or hearing
the animal when it surfaces to breathe.
If you do hit a manatee while boating.
Report accidents online or call 888-404-FWC (888-404-3922). Cellular phone users can
also call *FWC or #FWC, or send a text to Tip@myFWC.com. It is important that you
obtain immediate help for the animal! The sooner the animal is located and its condition
is assed, the better its chances for survival.
Note: You will not be cited if you accidentally collide with a manatee while obeying
speed restrictions.