Resolution 130-1998
Board of County Commissioners
RESOLUTION NO. 130 -1998
A RESOLUTION URGING THAT THE lEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF flORIDA ADOPT
lEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM AGE OF 21 FOR THE OPERATION OF
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, MANDATORY PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATOR SAFETY
COURSE, AND ESTABLISHING BANS ON THE OPERATION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED AREAS OF STATE WATERS, AND INCREASING LICENSE FEES
ON ALL PERSONAL WATERCRAFT WITH ALL PROCEEDS USED TO HIRE ADDITIONAL
MARINE PATROL OFFICERS
WHEREAS, the reckless use of personal watercraft, particularly in the back country of the
Florida Keys, disturbs wildlife and the quiet pursuits of anglers and other sportsmen; and
WHEREAS, such reckless use of personal watercraft in areas where swimmers, divers and
snorkelers are present constitutes a danger to human life; and
WHEREAS, despite numerous good faith attempts by the personal watercraft industry to
regulate such abuses by personal watercraft users, the abuses continue unabated; and
WHEREAS, there are now pending in the Florida legislature proposed amendments (SB 1880;
HB 3915) to Chapter 327 which address some, but not all, of the above concerns; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1.
The Legislature of the State of Florida is requested to adopt legislation that:
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a) Increases the minimum age from 14 to 16 for all operators of pjlso.trel vSter~ft
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and establishes a minimum age of 18 years for rental of personal watercraft; rrt:;x-< I ""'1
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b) Establishes a mandatory requirement of successful completi~~ a ~rs~1
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watercraft safety course and the display of a photographic identification course-ab~le~n acrd
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for an individual under the age of 21 years to operate a personal watercraft;
c) Authorizes the designation of zones in State waters of the Florida Keys, on which the
use of personal watercraft is prohibited or restricted, such zones to be established by the Department
of Environmental Protection, in consultation and coordination with the governing body in which the
no motor zone is located and, where required, with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in shallow (less
than 3 feet MSL) waters of the Florida Keys, in man-made canals in the Keys, and in other areas
around the Keys that are frequented by swimmers, divers, snorkelers, or fishermen;
d) Prohibits certain types of personal watercraft high-speed operation, ~ wake-
jumping, abrupt turns, weaving through congested vessel traffic, and other hazardous maneuvers;
e) Authorizes the Marine Patrol to enforce the age and education requirements
described above and to enforce the bans and restrictions on the use of personal watercraft from
certain areas of State water;
f) Establishes significant and meaningful penalties for violations of State statutes
regulating personal watercraft operation and the qualifications of the operators with all fines
earmarked for the Marine Patrol to fund enforcement of such statutes;
g) Increases the license fees on all personal watercraft in this State with all proceeds
being used to employ additional Marine Patrol officers.
h) Authorizes local governments in Areas of Critical State Concern to adopt
ordinances governing operation of vessels in waters contiguous to or within the Critical Area, and
consistent with the Governing Principles of that Critical Area, in order to provide a greater measure
of resource protection than is afforded under Chapter 327, Florida Statutes.
Section 2.
The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary is requested to adopt and enforce
restrictions in the operation of personal watercraft. consistent with the above-recommended
legislation.
Section 3.
The Clerk is hereby directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Monroe County legislative delegation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida at a
special meeting of said Board held on the 27thday of March
,1998.
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COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Mayor/Chairman