"The Office of Boating and Waterways will work to provide safe and enjoyable boating for the people of Florida and its visitors through the effective and coordinated management of our waterways. We will strive to work with all stakeholders when developing rules and making statutory recommendations. We will accomplish this by incorporating sound scientific data, reasonable public input, and common sense. We will work to formulate the best solutions possible without jeopardizing our natural resources or our freedoms to navigate."

Notice of Change Rule – 68D-23 (pdf 30kb)
 

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement has the statutory responsibility for ensuring that the placement of waterway markers within state waters adhere to all state and federal requirements link to (F.S. 327.41.) Waterway marker permits and guidance is obtained through the Office of Boating and Waterways. The Office takes pride in being the "One Stop Shop" for all waterway management issues that include but are not limited to boating safety and education, boating access, and derelict vessels.

Consistency and uniformity of waterway markers correlates with the Office’s goal in providing a safe and enjoyable boating experience. It is important the boat operator observe similar marking systems throughout our waterways; this consistency eliminates confusion, increases compliance, and minimizes the risk of accidents. Navigating without a uniform waterway marking system would be like driving your motor vehicle from a State where stop signs are red octagons with white letters to a State where stop signs are green triangles with yellow letters.

The Office is also charged with insuring that regulatory markers are only posted for specific purposes as defined in law click (F.A.C. 68D23.101.)  This is important to reduce sign proliferation, confusion, and inconsistency.  For example:  regulatory markers noticing boating restricted areas are authorized only for the purposes of protecting human life and limb, vessel traffic safety and maritime property, and manatees click (F.S. 327.22, 327.60), and (370.12.) An example of an illegal marker would include:  those not permitted by this Office, markers not adhering to the United States Aides to Navigation System click (33 C.F.R. part 62), markers not conforming to the Uniform State Waterway Marking System click (33 C.F.R. subpart 66.10), markers posted for reasons other than above. The posting of an illegal marker is a criminal offense click (F.S. 327.41 (4)).               

    For municipalities, counties, or other governmental entities to place any safety, regulatory, informational, and/or navigation marker in, on, or over the waters or shores of the state, must make application for a permit to the Office of Boating and Waterways within the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission  ( F.S. 327.40).

   To ensure that municipalities, counties, or other governmental entities understand the responsibility associated with the placement of uniform waterway markers and they meet the required criteria, please link to 68D-23.104 and 68D-23.105 F.A.C.   Applications for placement of uniform waterway markers are available at this link. 

    In some cases, markings for safety or navigation purposes require permits from other state or federal agencies.  It would be suggested that you contact our office, 850-410-0656, extension 17169 or 17179, for guidance in these instances.