§ 90-16. Boating, docks, and launching ramps.

(a)

No person shall bring into or operate any vessel on any county-owned or managed lands other than those so designated for such use or purpose by the administrator or designee or applicable state law.

(b)

All persons navigating or operating a vessel in county-owned or managed lands shall comply with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee Boating Regulations and U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations as applicable. Said persons shall recognize marked manatee protection zones and boating safety zones, including but not limited to the vessel exclusion zones, combustion-motor exclusion zones, no wake zones, and minimum wake zones identified in chapter 130 of the Code.

(c)

No vessel shall enter marked swim areas or zones, whether designated by the state or county.

(d)

No person other than a concessionaire contracted by the county, shall be permitted to rent, hire, or operate for charge, any vessel on any county-owned or managed lands.

(e)

To the extent authorized by state law, the department may regulate vessel type and motor size within county-owned or managed lands.

(f)

Vessels shall not be operated in such a manner as to molest or harm wildlife or to cause damage to aquatic life, substrate or county property. No refuse, trash, oil or bilge water shall be thrown or pumped overboard within county-owned or managed lands. Sanitary facilities on vessels, which discharge overboard, must not be used while vessels are within the county-owned or managed lands.

(g)

The following standards shall apply to the use of docks and boat ramps within county-owned or managed lands:

(1)

All persons shall use designated boat ramps or launch areas when launching or landing motorized vessels.

(2)

Docks and ramps shall be kept clear of all equipment or gear.

(3)

Boat ramps are for active loading and unloading only.

(4)

Overnight dwelling on vessels docked or moored is prohibited except in areas so designated.

(5)

No person shall moor a vessel within any county-owned or managed land for a period of time in excess of 14 days in any 30-day period.

(6)

Any defacement or damage of piers or of dock property shall be repaired or corrected at the expense of the person or persons responsible for such defacement or damage.

(7)

Docking and mooring facilities shall not be used for commercial activity without prior authorization from the department. No person shall use or occupy any docking or mooring space to the exclusion of other park patrons for an unreasonable amount of time. Barring exigent circumstances, such period of time shall not exceed 30 minutes.

(8)

Fuel containers shall only be used while refueling vessels, and no fuel containers of any type shall be left unattended.

(9)

Storage of vessels and/or trailers is prohibited except in designated storage facilities.

(Ord. No. 10-44, § 1, 9-28-10; Ord. No. 16-40, § 17, 7-19-16)