Close quarters running - what would you do?

[440 Jim]

At Savannah Bend there are over 200 boats in the barn, our 440 is in a wet slip of course. You can spot 'em, no VHF, no Gps, no trolling motor, weekenders.They fly by us, but...most folks observe common courtesy, Savannah Bend, Hinkleys, and Thunderbolt Marina are all right there in the no wake. We try to be aware of our surroudings, operate legally, and give way to smaller craft, as we have a 19' CC, a 23' CC, and a 24' tritoon. We know how it is on the "other side" of the footage, draft, and wake consideration. Always someone at the dock raising cain at the ones that don't reciprocate. I ocaisionally honk at the 'ner do wells myself. Some folks don't get it.

 

[370Dancer]

So, I posed the question to FWC, and this is what I got back. Sounds like I just need to take matters into my own hands at the time of the incident, and perform a horizontal flare gun test towards the offender.

On behalf of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), thank you for your email pertaining to establishing a boating-restricted area within your county.

Our Boating and Waterways Section handles requests for boating-restricted areas. These requests are made by cities or counties based upon public safety needs and following the criteria set forth in 327.46, Florida Statutes (F.S.). These requests cannot be considered for the abatement of noise or for the protection of shoreline, shore-based structures, or upland property from vessel wake or shoreline wash pursuant to 327.33(2), F.S.

The first step in the process would be to work with either your city or county officials and have them evaluate if there is a public safety need based on 327.46(1)(b) F.S., or by credible data that proves by substantial competent evidence that a boating-restricted area is needed for public safety under 327.46(1)(c) F.S. (see 68D-21.004, Florida Administrative Code, for substantial competent evidence).If this area is part of the ICW, pursuant to 327.60 F.S., local governments do not have the authority to regulate vessels on the ICW unless the boating-restricted area is seeking establishment under 327.46 (1)(b)1 F.S. or 327.46(1)(b)2 F.S. If this area meets the criteria outlined in 327.46 (1)(c) F.S., the city or county will need to submit a formal request to petition the State of Florida to enter rulemaking to change or establish a zone. A zone is seeking establishment for public safety under 327.46 (1)(c) F.S., would need to include substantial competent evidence (vessel traffic study data, citation data, etc.) with the formal request.

A public hearing by either the city or county should be held to receive input from all user groups utilizing the waterway in question prior to submitting the request. City or county requests may be sent to our Boating and Waterways Section at the address and email below.

In the case of a vessel operating negligently, given the water conditions, careless or reckless operation of a vessel may be cited. Please coordinate with our local law enforcement office for instances such as these. They may be reached by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922. By calling this number, you can request an increase in officer presence in this area.

Thanks,

FWC Boating and Waterways Section

620 South Meridian Street, Room 235

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

(850) 488-5600

Waterway.Management@myfwc.com

 

[Nater Potater]

"These requests cannot be considered for the abatement of noise or for the protection of shoreline..."

What???

"...have them evaluate if there is a public safety need..."

So, it would seem that the only reason they'd take that into consideration is if people are being put in harm's way through negligent boat operation. I don't know what to say.

 

[ttmott]

So, I posed the question to FWC, and this is what I got back. Sounds like I just need to take matters into my own hands at the time of the incident, and perform a horizontal flare gun test towards the offender.

On behalf of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), thank you for your email pertaining to establishing a boating-restricted area within your county.

Our Boating and Waterways Section handles requests for boating-restricted areas. These requests are made by cities or counties based upon public safety needs and following the criteria set forth in 327.46, Florida Statutes (F.S.). These requests cannot be considered for the abatement of noise or for the protection of shoreline, shore-based structures, or upland property from vessel wake or shoreline wash pursuant to 327.33(2), F.S.

The first step in the process would be to work with either your city or county officials and have them evaluate if there is a public safety need based on 327.46(1)(b) F.S., or by credible data that proves by substantial competent evidence that a boating-restricted area is needed for public safety under 327.46(1)(c) F.S. (see 68D-21.004, Florida Administrative Code, for substantial competent evidence).If this area is part of the ICW, pursuant to 327.60 F.S., local governments do not have the authority to regulate vessels on the ICW unless the boating-restricted area is seeking establishment under 327.46 (1)(b)1 F.S. or 327.46(1)(b)2 F.S. If this area meets the criteria outlined in 327.46 (1)(c) F.S., the city or county will need to submit a formal request to petition the State of Florida to enter rulemaking to change or establish a zone. A zone is seeking establishment for public safety under 327.46 (1)(c) F.S., would need to include substantial competent evidence (vessel traffic study data, citation data, etc.) with the formal request.

A public hearing by either the city or county should be held to receive input from all user groups utilizing the waterway in question prior to submitting the request. City or county requests may be sent to our Boating and Waterways Section at the address and email below.

In the case of a vessel operating negligently, given the water conditions, careless or reckless operation of a vessel may be cited. Please coordinate with our local law enforcement office for instances such as these. They may be reached by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922. By calling this number, you can request an increase in officer presence in this area.

Thanks,

FWC Boating and Waterways Section

620 South Meridian Street, Room 235

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

(850) 488-5600

Waterway.Management@myfwc.com

FFWC is not the place to seek changes relative to boating safety; they are specific to conservation of wildlife and the like. Manatee related speed limits are an example.
State and county are the primary means for establishing boater safety requirements however if the water is federally controlled then they default to the USCG then little gets done.

 

[370Dancer]

I'm just going to dig across that sand spit on the back side, and run that way. NO traffic.