Reminder for boaters: New slow speed boating zone established along busy Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal stretch

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has put up new signs along a busy part of the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale that inform boaters to slow down.

The new limits apply to the region between the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge and the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge, which is known for having a lot of boats just west of the beach.

With the modification, boats must go slowly and make only a small wake. People usually think that speed is between five and nine miles per hour. Officials say the change is meant to make things less crowded and lower the possibility of accidents in one of South Florida’s busiest boating areas.

There will be a 30-day period of education before enforcement begins. During this time, authorities will give boaters who break the rule warnings instead of tickets. The goal of the strategy is to allow people time to learn about the new laws and change how they act on the water.

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Since a teenager died in a personal watercraft accident on the Intracoastal last August, city leaders in Fort Lauderdale have been pushing for tighter safety regulations.

In the months that followed, local and state leaders worked together to find methods to stop similar tragedies from happening again. The Marine Advisory Board and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department have also backed the slower-speed zone. Both groups have stressed how important it is to control boat speeds in busy waterways.

Officials continue to urge boaters to pay attention when they are in the channel, watch for posted signs, and follow the rules about going slower. The city has a clear message: everyone who uses the Intracoastal must be vigilant and share responsibility to make it safe.