Cape Haze Slow Speed - Minimum Wake Zone, ongoing
The body of water
lying just off Cape Haze between the mainland and the barrier
islands, and which contains a stretch of the Intracoastal
Waterway channel running north and south, currently requires boaters
to maintain a minimum wake through Cape Haze.
As stated in the
rule defining the zone (rule 62N-24.108, Charlotte County Boating
Restricted Area) the Slow Speed - Minimum Wake Zone exists “from
shoreline to shoreline, in and adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway
…”.
This zone has been created primarily for boater safety, as the area
is heavily trafficked and not so roomy, but it has the side effect
of adding considerably to the quality of life and property values
within our community.
From time to time
over the years, county, state, and federal officials have conducted
public hearings to determine if the slow speed zone should be
maintained as it is, modified, or even lifted. At these
hearings local boaters and fishing guides are very vocal in an
attempt to have the zone lifted completely or to at least allow high
speeds within the ICW channel. Each time, CHPOA as an
organization has successfully lobbied to prevent the lifting of
these restrictions. CHPOA continues to monitor Slow Speed -
Minimum Wake Zone developments.
