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…