Boating

ARTICLE III. BOATING

DIVISION 1. GENERALLY

Secs. 7.051--7.059. Reserved.

DIVISION 2. SLOW SPEED/IDLE SPEED

Sec. 7.060. Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires a different meaning or one is specifically set out herein, then the words and terms used herein are to be defined and applied as set forth in F.S. Ch. 327, and the amendments thereto as may be passed from time to time.

(a) Waters of Wakulla: Any navigable waters of the United States within the territorial limits of Wakulla County, and the high seas when navigated as part of a journey or ride to or from the shore of Wakulla County, and all inland lakes, rivers, and canals under the jurisdiction of Wakulla County.

(b) Vessel: Shall be defined as in F.S. Ð'§ 327.01, and shall include all boats, including sail boats or boards, jet skis, wave runners, airboats, and other personal watercraft capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(c) Slow speed: That speed of a vessel underway which fully off plane and is settled into the water and is operated in a manner so as not to create an excessive wake or otherwise create a hazardous condition which endangers human life or other vessels.

(d) Idle speed no wake: The minimum speed necessary to maintain steerageway and headway.

(Ord. No. 06-24, Ð'§ B1, 4-3-06; Ord. No. 06-59, Ð'§ 1, 11-20-06)

Sec. 7.061. Areas designated.

(a) Slow speed zones: It shall be unlawful to operate any vessel in any manner other than a slow speed, in designated slow speed areas where the proper slow speed signs are located and describing and designating the beginning or length of such designated areas, or within two hundred (200) feet of any swimmer or posted diver-down flag, or to operate any vessel in a careless or reckless manner as defined in F.S. Ð'§Ð'§ 327.32, 327.33, or 327.34.

(b) Designated slow speed areas are:

(1) Buckhorn Creek--Approximately one-half ( 1/2) mile along the residential section of Buckhorn Creek Woods Subdivision between a point at the bend of the creek downstream of the boat ramp (30Ð'o02'03.36"N/84Ð'o28'04.73"W) and extending upstream to the mouth of the small creek branch (30Ð'o02'25.35"N/84Ð'o28'01.34"W).

(2) On the Wakulla River, starting downstream some one thousand (1,000) feet of Highway 98, at a latitude of 30Ð'o10.572'N/84Ð'o14.535'W and continuing up stream, by the development known as River Plantation and the area known as Mysterious Waters to the State Road 365 bridge.

(3) On the St. Marks River, starting downstream some one thousand (1,000) feet south of Highway 98 bridge in Newport at a latitude 30Ð'o11.814'N/84Ð'o10.739'W and continuing upstream, by the town known as Old Magnolia to the county line at a latitude of 30Ð'o16.417'N/84Ð'o08.885'W.

(4) In addition to the designated slow speed minimum wake set forth in this section, the county sheriff is authorized to designate temporary slow speed minimum wake zones for public events.

(c) Idle speed no wake: It shall be unlawful to operate any vessel in any manner other than at idle speed no wake where the proper idle speed no wake signs are located and describe and designate the beginning or length of such designated areas.

(d) Designated idle speed no wake speed zones are:

(1) All five (5) canals on Mashes Island which have their entrances on the Ochlocknee Bay and are located between 29Ð'o58'12.44"N/84Ð'o21'25.64"W eastward to 29Ð'o58'11.10"N/84Ð'o20'44.72"W as well as within two hundred (200) feet of the Mashes Sands public fishing pier.

(2) On the Ochlocknee River at the US 98 (Walker) Bridge five hundred (500) feet on each side of the center span.

(3) Within the canal on Oyster Bay which has its entrance on Oyster Bay, located at 30Ð'o03'58.36"N/84Ð'o18'11.96"W and extending the length of the canal. On Spring Creek starting at 30Ð'o04'27.02"N/84Ð'o19'45.86"W and continuing upstream throughout the remaining creek, its tributaries and canals.

(4) On Spring Creek starting at 30Ð'o04'27.02"N/84Ð'o19'45.86"W and continuing upstream throughout the remaining creek, its tributaries and vicinity canals.

(5) On Log Creek, beginning near the point of land in Stewart Cove at 30Ð'o04'32.16"N/84Ð'o19'18.21"W and extending northward throughout the creek.

(6) Beginning at the western point of the beach at Shell Point and continuing southerly at 164 degrees to the location of channel marker number four (4) at coordinates 30Ð'o03.347'N/84Ð'o17.349'W, thence continuing on a curve to the east northeast to marker number sixteen (16) at 30Ð'o03.585'N/84Ð'o17.061'W continuing to an unnumbered red triangle currently at coordinates 30Ð'o03.684'N/84Ð'o17.133'W thence northerly to the point of land, red triangle and the Paradise Village entrance canal sign located at 30Ð'o03.735'N/4Ð'o17.171'W and encompassing all the waters between these connecting lines and the nearby shore including all contiguous canals and the run basin located to the west and north of this zone.

(7) All canals located at Live Oak Island starting at the west entrance at 30Ð'o03'41.14"N/84Ð'o16'45.27"W extending eastward throughout every canal and extending the full length of each and every canal to coordinates 30Ð'o03'43.86"N/84Ð'o16'27.24"W.

(8) On the Wakulla River five hundred (500) feet on each side of the U.S. Highway 98 bridge between coordinate 30Ð'o10.552"N/84Ð'o14.613"W to 30Ð'o10.627N/84Ð'o14.772W.

(9) On the St. Marks River on each side of the U.S. Highway 98 bridge for a distance of about five hundred (500) feet between coordinates 30Ð'o12.024N/84Ð'o10.651W downstream to 30Ð'o11.837N/84Ð'o10.730W.

(10) Within the cities of St. Marks and Sopchoppy, as designated by local ordinances and properly posted.

(11) At any location where manatees are regularly feeding or resting as designated