It's the Law: On the Water with Your Vessel

Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

• Anchor a vessel in the traveled portion of a river or channel that will prevent or interfere with any other vessel passing through the same area.
• Moor or attach a vessel to a buoy (other than a mooring buoy), beacon, light, or any other navigation aid placed on public waters by proper authorities.
• Move, displace, tamper with, damage, or destroy any navigation aid.
• Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp, or access to any facility.

Homeland Security Restrictions

Recreational boaters have a role in keeping our waterways safe and secure.

• Slow to minimum speed within 500 yards and do not approach within 100 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
• Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities. Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
• Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in narrow channels.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local FWC office, a local law enforcement agency, or the U.S. Coast Guard.