under florida law, when entering a “no wake” area, what action must a boater take

Under Florida law, when entering a “no wake” area, a boater must reduce speed to idle. This means operating the vessel at the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage and headway, while not creating any wake. The goal is to minimize wake to protect the environment, other vessels, shoreline structures, and ensure safety in congested or sensitive areas. Simply reaching the marker and then chopping the throttle is not compliant; the boat must already be at idle speed before entering the no wake zone to avoid wake. This requirement also helps protect wildlife such as manatees and prevents erosion and damage to docks and other boats. Therefore, the boater must slow down to a speed no greater than is necessary to maintain control and navigation without producing a noticeable wake.