Manatee Zones / 25mph ?
 

Hello,
I live in Lee County, Florida, and boat a lot on the caloosahatche. I was just wondering if anyone follows the 25mph regulations, what general opinions are, etc. I know I am "guilty" of running WOT on the river almost every time I go out....

Has anyone ever gotten stoped ? Penalties ? I know i've seen boats out there doing at least 80 so I know I am not the only one.

The way I see it is like on the highways in the 1970's - If they can't follow you they can't catch you and they can't arrest you - even in my chriscraft I run almost 60, and I doubt they can run even that fast. Now i'm not advocating running from authorities, but sometimes you just don't notice things....I do slow for the slow zones though, as those are also for erosion and silt prevention and things - causes that I sympathize with.

Something else I've heard, not sure if it's true, but that Manatees aren't actually natrual species, and that they've only been here (in FLA) a few thousand years themselves (on top of migrating every summer). If this is true, should we be protecting them at all ? Would not they then be an invasive species like the fire ant or the melaleuca?

Even then, 5' above the water with 20' of boat in front of you, with all the sun, it's almost impossible to see them anywayse, at 25 or 75. There were two in my canal, and we were at IDLE speed and we almost missed em (missed seeing them)
Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate the Manatee, but I do like going fast.

Just my $.02 on a potentally severe issue if they decide to start strict enforcement

~Paul

I believe I read where the new "Manatee Zones" on the Caloosahatchee (spelling?)were ruled unenforcable by the courts. Watch out for the Feds though, they are TOUGH. Call the local authorities and check to see what's up.

Feds ? I have never seen a federal Agency out on the water giving Tickets for Manatee Zones ....

No Feds??? We have them everywhere here: Fish and Wildlife depatrment. They're a lot nastier than the cops, too!