Sec. 614.132. - Regulations on operation of boats.

(a) The Council finds that the recent increase in boating activity and water skiing activity on the tributaries of the St. Johns River, all in Duval County, has created increased congestion and safety hazards for the boating public. Further, when dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Mill Cove flow channel may attract more power-driven vessels attempting to transit the cove at much higher speeds than was possible before the dredging. It would be in the best interest and safety of the citizens and the boating public in Duval County to establish certain slow speed minimum wake zones and certain no skiing zones, on the tributaries of the St. Johns River. This concept has been recommended and endorsed by the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. (b) As used in this Section: (1) Slow speed minimum wake zone means a restricted or controlled zone which has been established to protect the interest of the public in which a vessel must not proceed at a speed greater than that speed which is reasonable and prudent to avoid an excessive wake or condition under the existing circumstances. A motorboat in an area designated as a slow speed minimum wake zone: (i) That is operating on a plane is not proceeding at slow speed minimum wake speed. (ii) That is in the process of coming off plane and settling into the water, which action creates more than no wake or minimum wake is not proceeding at slow speed minimum wake speed. (iii) That produces no wake or minimum wake is proceeding at slow speed minimum wake speed. (iv) That is completely off plane and which has settled into the water and is proceeding without wake or with minimum wake is proceeding at slow speed minimum wake speed. (2) No skiing zone means a restricted or controlled zone which has been established to protect the interest of the public in which no water skiing, aquaplaning, or other similar activity shall take place utilizing such devices as water skis, aquaplaning, or other similar activity shall take place utilizing such devices as water skis, aquaplane, innertube, sled or similar device. (3) The definitions contained in subsections (b)(1) or (2) of this Section shall not apply to a motorboat or performer engaged in a supervised professional exhibition, official regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition in such zones or to a person practicing for such event, so long as the event has been approved, authorized or sanctioned by the City for occurrence in such restricted zone. These restrictions shall also not apply in the case of an emergency or to patrol or rescue vessels. (c) The following areas are hereby designated as slow speed minimum wake zones within the waters of Duval County: (1) On Pottsburg Creek from N. 30°17′16″ latitude, W. 81°34′15″ longitude on the North to N. 30°17′11″ latitude, W. 81°34′15″ longitude on the South (area of Beach Boulevard Bridge crossing). (2) On Pottsburg Creek from N. 30°18′48″ latitude, W. 81°35′42″ longitude on the North to N. 30°18′44″ latitude, W. 81°35′45″ longitude on the South (area of Atlantic Boulevard Bridge crossing). (3) Under the Grand Avenue Bridge on the Ortega River, located at N. 30°16′49″ latitude, W. 81°42′21″ longitude. (4) Within 100 yards parallel to the marinas situated on the Ortega River, from N. 30°16′49″ latitude, W. 81°42′21″ longitude on the North to N. 30°16′25″ latitude, W. 81°43′02″ longitude on the South. (5) Within 100 yards on either side of the marinas located adjacent to the San Juan Avenue Bridge on the Cedar River, located at N. 30°16′55″ latitude, W. 81°44′27″ longitude. (6) On the Sweetwater Branch of Julington Creek from N. 30°08′00″ latitude, W. 81°35′51″ longitude on the West to N. 30°08′00″ latitude, W. 81°35′34″ longitude on the East (Hood Landing boat ramp area). (7) Cedar River from the San Juan Bridge to the headwaters of the Cedar River from April 1 to August 31 only. (8) The waters of Mill Cove south of a line beginning at Lat. 30°23′38″ N./Long. 81°37′06″ W.; passing through Lat. 30°23′35′ N./Long. 81°36′33″ W., Lat. 30°23′23″ N./Long. 81°36′18″ W., Lat. 30°23′11″ N./Long. 81°35′49″ W., 30°22′52″ N./Long. 81°35′16″ W., Lat. 30°22′34″ N./Long. 81°34′08″ W., Lat. 30°22′19″ N./Long. 81°33′34″ W., Lat. 30°22′21″ N./Long. 81°32′48″ W.; and, ending at Lat. 30°22′46″ N./Long. 81°32′22″ W. (9) Within 100 yards (300 feet) on both sides of the Shad Creek Bridge on Heckscher Drive, located at Lat. 30°16′49″ N./Long. 81°42′21″ W., from shore to shore. (10) Within 100 yards (300 feet) on both sides of the Cesery Bridge on Cesery Blvd., located at Lat. 30°19'22" N./Long. 81°35'51" W., from shore to shore. (d) The following areas are hereby designated no skiing zones within the waters of Duval County. (1) Beginning at a point located at N. 30°17′47″ latitude, W. 81°34′36″ longitude (commonly known as the Osprey's Nest) on Pottsburg Creek and continuing upstream therefrom to the headwaters of Pottsburg Creek. (2) Under the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge on Pottsburg Creek, from N. 30°18′48″ latitude, W. 81°35′42″ longitude on the North to N. 30°18′44″ latitude, W. 81°35′45″ longitude on the South. (3) Beginning at a point located at N. 30°13′12″ latitude, W. 81°42′46″ longitude on the Ortega River and continuing upstream therefrom to the headwaters of the Ortega River. (4) Beginning at a point located at N. 30°08′05″ latitude, W. 81°34′47″ longitude on the Sweetwater Branch of Julington Creek and proceeding easterly upstream therefrom to the headwaters of Julington Creek. (5) Beginning at a point located at N. 30°07′33″ latitude, W. 81°35′41″ longitude on the Durbin Creek Branch of Julington Creek and proceeding easterly upstream therefrom to the headwaters of Julington Creek. (e) Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of a noncriminal offense punishable by a civil penalty of $35, which civil penalty shall be paid to the Tax Collector in a manner similar to the provisions for payment of civil penalties as prescribed by F.S. § 327.73. (Ord. 86-881-661, § 1; Ord. 87-848-384, § 1; Ord. 88-423-178, § 1; Ord. 2001-457-E, § 2; Ord. 2001-525-E, § 1; Ord. 2008-572-E, § 1; Ord. 2019-463-E , § 3; Ord. 2023-216-E , § 3)