Manatee Education and Information

Information for Boaters

We must all be responsible boaters…

All boaters participate in the marine ecosystem, a system created by the interaction of a community of organisms with the environment. We are not separate from nature, but a part of it. As boaters, we cannot ignore the effect we have on the environment since the waters that we enjoy may be impacted by our actions. Every boater has a responsibility to learn and use environmentally safe boating practices that will protect these waters for the future.

Personal watercrafts are considered boats. Please see our Information for Jetski and Personal Watercraft for information on how to protect manatees and the environment when operating these vessels.

Boat over a manatee

Causes of Manatee Deaths in Florida

Manatee fatalities and injuries occur on Florida's waterways. Approximately 25-30% of manatee deaths statewide are attributed to watercraft injuries. Injuries from blunt trauma are nearly equal in number to those injuries caused by propeller. The faster a boat goes, the more force is applied to a "strike." For instance, the difference between the force of a strike at 30 miles an hour is exactly twice that of a strike at 15 miles an hour, all other factors being equal.

If the watercraft happens to strike a manatee in the head as it is taking a breath, acute trauma may result and the animal may die immediately. A mid-body strike can even be fatal if ribs are broken or disarticulated. Their internal injuries can result in death from internal bleeding or infection.

Dead Manatee with propeller cuts

It is difficult to differentiate between the blunt trauma caused by different sized vessels after an animal dies. The only thing that can be determined from fresh carcasses struck by boats is whether or not a propeller was involved, where on the carcass a strike occurred, and the size of the vessel on a macro-scale (if the carcass was chopped into large pieces, then it was a vessel with a big propeller, i.e. tanker or cargo vessel).

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What Can You Do?

When Boating or Jet Skiing

Abide by the posted speed zone signs while in areas known to have manatees present or when observations indicate manatees might be present. What to look for when trying to see manatees: Observations may include a swirl on the surface caused by the manatee when diving; seeing the animals back, snout, tail, or flipper break the surface of the water; or hearing it when it surfaces to breathe.
Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare on the surface of the water. this will enable you to see manatees more easily.
Try to stay in deep-water channels. Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and coastal areas. Avoid boating over seagrass beds and shallow areas.
Remain at least 50 feet away from a manatee when operating a powerboat. Don't operate a boat over large concentrations of manatees.
If you like to water ski, please choose areas that manatees do not use, or cannot enter, such as land-locked lakes.
Please don't discard monofilament line, hooks, or any other litter into the water. Manatees may ingest or become entangled in this debris and can become injured or even die. Note: discarding monofilament fishing line into the waters of Florida is unlawful.

If you do hit a manatee while boating, it is important that you obtain immediate help for the animal*

*Note the animal's location and contact the FWC Law Enforcement (1-888-404-FWCC or *FWC on your cellular phone). The sooner the animal is located and its condition is assessed, the better its chance for survival. Please be responsible for your actions while on the waterways and take immediate action if something does occur.

Boating Safety Legislation passed in 1996

The state of Florida passed boating safety legislation in 1996 with the approval of the boater education bill. This bill requires persons under the age of 16* to successfully complete a boating education course, or an equivalency exam, prior to operating a marine vessel with 10 or more horsepower. (*The applicable age will rise one year for five years so that by the year 2001 anyone under the age of 21 would need to comply.) Florida now joins 18 other states that require mandatory boating education courses.

Boating Accidents in Florida

Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, injuries and accidents. A significant number of these accidents occurred because the boat operators were either unaware of or chose to ignore the rules of safe boating operation. (See FWC Law Enforcement Boating Accident Statistical Report)