The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is charged with adopting rules that regulate the operation and speed of motorboat traffic for manatee protection purposes. The rules are designed to protect manatees from harmful collisions with motorboats and from harassment, where manatees are frequently sighted and the best available scientific information, as well as other available information, supports the conclusion that manatees inhabit the area periodically (Section 370.12(2), F.S.). Limited lanes or corridors providing for reasonable motorboat speeds may be identified and designated within these areas whenever such lanes or corridors are consistent with manatee protection needs (Section 370.12(2)(k), F.S.). In addition, the Commission may adopt rules to protect manatee habitat (such as seagrass beds), and may designate limited areas as safe havens for manatees to rest, feed, reproduce, give birth, or nurse their young while undisturbed by human activity.

What do the Speed Zones Mean?
“Idle speed zone” means an area where vessels may not be operated at greater than Idle Speed (the minimum speed that will maintain the steerageway of a motorboat). 68C-22.002 (3) Florida Administrative Code (FAC).

“Slow speed zone” means an area where vessels may not be operated at greater than Slow Speed (the speed at which a vessel proceeds when it is fully
off plane and completely settled into the water and not producing an excessive
wake) 68C-22.002 (8) FAC.

“Motorboats prohibited zone” means an area where the entry of vessels being propelled or powered by machinery is prohibited. 68C-22.002 (6) FAC.

“No entry zone" means a limited area of critical importance as a safe haven for manatees to rest, feed, reproduce, give birth, nurse or otherwise habituate undisturbed by human activity. No vessel of any kind, whether power-driven or non-motorized, ..., including every description of watercraft, barge, and airboat, shall be permitted within the designated area. No other vessel or flotation device, including but not limited to a seaplane, sailboard, surfboard, raft, or any other water toy or other like object intended for or capable of use as a means of transportation on the water, shall be permitted within the designated area, nor shall other human activities including but not limited to diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing ..., and the introduction by persons of food or other objects, that involves disturbance of these waters or the manatees so inhabiting them, be permitted within such a designated area,.... 68C-22.002 (17) FAC.

“Maximum 25 MPH Speed Zone”
means a controlled area within which a vessel’s speed made good over the bottom, measured in statute miles, shall not exceed 25 miles per hour. Although it is the intention of the Commission to allow those vessels capable of attaining a planing configuration at 25 MPH to do so, this speed limit shall not be construed as permitting the reckless or careless operation of a vessel, in violation of Section 327.33, F.S., or authorizing any vessel to travel at an unsafe speed, in violation of 33 U.S.C. s. 2006, as adopted pursuant to Section 327.33, F.S., by reason of:

(a) Having an elevated bow which restricts visibility, or
(b) Producing an excessive wake which endangers other vessels or natural resources of the state. 68C-22.002 (11) F.A.C.

Click here to download the "Manatees, Manatee Protection Rules, The Manatee Program and Funding Sources" Brochure by FWC