New slow-speed zone approved for busy stretch of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a new restricted boating area in Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway. This means that boaters will soon have to slow down in a regularly frequented part of the channel.

The new slow-speed, minimum-wake zone extends from the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge to the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge, which is just west of Fort Lauderdale Beach. The area is known for dense vessel traffic, especially during the busiest times of the year. Officials say the new speed limitations are meant to ease congestion and lessen the likelihood of accidents. In this area, “slow speed” usually indicates going between 5 and 9 miles per hour.

New signs will be put up to let sailors know about the change once the rule goes into force. The commission anticipates the signs will be up by the middle of January 2026. Enforcement will focus on education instead than punishment for the first 30 days after the rules go into effect. Officers will give warnings to help boaters get used to the new laws.

The newly defined zone connects two existing year-round idle speed, no-wake areas near the bridges and also overlaps with a seasonal manatee protection zone. Officials claim that the larger slow-speed sector makes the route a more stable and predictable place for boats to travel.

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For months, city leaders have been asking for the change because of recurring safety concerns. After a youngster died while riding a personal watercraft on the Intracoastal in August, the efforts became more urgent. Since then, the city has worked together with state officials to come up with useful ways to make the water safer.

Local officials say the goal is prevention, not penalties. Law enforcement and marine safety advocates stress that slower speeds give operators more time to react, avoid crashes, and keep people and the environment safe.

As the new zone is put in place, the city is asking all boaters to pay close attention to the signage, stay aware, and drive safely. Officials argue that the boating community has to work together to make the canal safer for everyone.