95-21690 RESO Incomplete
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Jose Garcia-Pedrosa
City Manager
Seymour Gelber I'" /)
Mayor '?
July 18, 1995
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AgendaJtem - July 26, 1995 Commission meeting
Please place on the July 26 Commission agenda the report on water safety in Miami Beach.
SG/mpb
AGENDA
ITEI1
DATE
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
TO:
SEYMOUR GELBER
MAYOR
FROM:
MICHELE PULDY-BURGER ~~
AIDE TO MAYOR & COMMISSIb'j;
DATE:
JULY 18, 1995
RE:
WATER SAFETY IN MIAMI BEACH
In response to the boating accidents in Miami Beach a meeting of all parties that share interest
and jurisdiction over our local waters was scheduled in May 1995. Representatives from the
Miami Beach Police DepaJ1ment Marine Patrol, United States Coast Guard, State of Florida
Marine Patrol, Department of Environmental Regulation Management (DERM), Miami Beach
Marine Authority, Miami Beach Jewish Community Center (JCC) Shane Watersports Center,
Miami Beach Rowing Club, Horizon Parasail, and Fun Rentals were among those who attended.
At the meeting these representatives were requested to submit a list of ideas that would enhance
and promote water safety for our residents and tourists, In addition, Steven Hurwitz, Staff
Assistant to the Mayor & Commission, and I toured waterways in the City and researched the
subject of water safety. Every professional agrees that education is the key to water safety.
Below are the observations that developed as a result of several meetings and the memoranda
from entities who wish to enhance water safety in Miami Beach.
Signage over local waters is obviously very critical to both local residents and visitors. There are
several areas where signage is illegal or not visible. The procedures to obtain new signage that is
not part of the intracoastal waterway can be initiated by resolution or ordinance in local
municipalities. Illegal signage that is not part of the intracoastaI waterway can be eliminated by
the municipality. Signage that is part of the intracoastal waterway must be addressed through the
State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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Watson Island (City of Miami jurisdiction) - Boaters and personal watercrafts
enter Miami Beach waters via Watson Island. There is no signage for slow speed
and/or minimum speed and/or no wake zone, Note: As of July 18, the City of
Miami Marine Patrol met to discuss the steps which may be taken to make this
area an exclusionary zone to personal watercrafts.
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Southwest of Palm and Hibiscus Islands - The state placed signage around the
boundaries, but no signage within the boundaries (slow speed signs).
West of Star Island, Waters east of Monument Island - No slow speed signs. Note: This is
one of two areas in Miami Beach designated "watersports" area. The second area is 50th
StreetlBiscayne Bay,
East of Belle Isle and Morton towers - No slow speed signs. Inside zones of all islands
and behind Belle Isle (high traffic for boaters and personal watercrafts), there is a need for
"reminder" signs.
Goverument Cut Buoy - There should be signage such as "Warning High Current" or
"Danger". Presently, there is no signage. High traffic area by personal watercraft
operators.
Interstate - 195/Julia Tuttle Causeway - Re-evaluate existing signage. Signage is
currently perpendicular to the causeway and not visible to boaters,
Dade Boulevard Canal- No signage under bridge.
East and West of Palm and Hibiscus Islands - Additional signage needed to remind
boaters of the existing Manatee Protection Zone.
East and West of Collins CanaI- Additional signage needed to remind boaters of the
existing Manatee Protection Zone,
Waterways in 41st and 63rd Streets, Chase Avenue and walk-over bridges - Signage
needed to remind boaters of the existing Manatee Protection Zone.
Meloy Channel, west of North Bay Road - "Manatee Zone" signs are unclear and
confusing to boater:>.
West of La Gorce Island - Signage refers to "channel" but it is unclear to which channel it
may be referring. It is either Meloy Channel or another unidentified channel.
North of La Gorce Island and Allison Island - Signage needed to remind boaters of the
existing Manatee Protection Zone.
Inside zone waterways surrounding Allison Island, La Gorce Island and Indian Creek
Drive have no signage. Especially critical need in water area behind Shane Watersports
Center,
Due to high traffic by rowers in the area behind the Shane Watersports Center, there is a
need for "reminder" signs to stress a "No Wake Zone".
Shane Watersports Center - "Designated Rowers Channel" sign needed.
l11egal signage is posted on a piling on the northeast end of Allison Island indicating
"Excessive Wave Prohibited".
l11egal signage under 63rd Street bridge - Signage is perpendicular to the bridge and not
visible to boaters.
Idle speed regulations are needed for bridges at MacArthur Causeway, Venetian
Causeway, Julia Tuttle and 71st Street. Currently there are no speed restrictions,
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Miami Beach Marine Patrol Observations:
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Communications - They do not have cellular phones assigned to them by the
department, If an officer has a personal cellular phone, his calls are not being
reimbursed. Note: As of this month the Marine Patrol has requested action and is
awaiting reply from Major Robbins. Sources of communication are VHF radios,
(which other water safety enforcement officers carry on vessels) and police radios.
As of July 18, one VHF radio was inoperable and both police radios were
inoperable. Note: Officers do carry personal police radios.
Training - The Florida Marine Patrol Officers receive 560 hours of training after
they have completed the CJSTC (Criminal Justice Standards Training
Commission) Police Academy. There is limited Miami Beach Marine Patrol
training.
Manatee Zones - An awareness campaign should be designed to inform boaters of
existing Manatee Protection Zones.
Staffing - A sergeant and three (3) officers constitute the Marine Patrol. They are
in need of more enforcement officers and clerical support. Currently, there are
only day shift officers on duty. If there were night shift presence theft would be
deterred.
Twenty-foot Zodiac inflatable boat is seldom used and the patrol could benefit
from an additional speed boat, Two twenty-five foot Contender boats are used
daily. Note; U.S. Customs is downsizing and the City may be able to obtain an
additional boat (i.e, Indian Creek). Note: As of July 19, fourteen (14) Miami
Beach Police Patrol officers will train on the Zodiac boat.
When jet ski operators purchase their jet skis they are required by law to
purchase a sound producing device (whistle) and fire extinguisher. No one
is required to issue the buyer safety education guides or maps of local areas,
Note: The Coast Guard and Kawasaki produce such guides that are distributed at
no charge,
South Pointe Park/Government Cut - Poles or barricades should be reinstalled to
deter personal watercrafts from entering the waterways in Govemment Cut.
Miami Beach Marine Patrol issues countless citations in this area to those driving
carelessly. The drivers jump the larger boats' wakes and perform to audiences on
the rocks.
The awareness campaign designed to better educate the public to the need for safe
boating via the Beach Patrol and coordinated with the Power Squadron and City's
Public Information Office should also include the Marine Patrol and the rental
companies for personal watercrafts.
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Coast Guard and Florida Marine Patrol Observations:
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Personal waterfront class is offered for a minimal fee and it should be publicized
in an awareness campaign,
Vehicle registrations can be obtained from the State of Florida Bureau of Boat
Registration to implement a campaign to vessel owners,
Although Manatee Season ends at the end of April, the zones are enforced
year-round in many areas.
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In conclusion, the City may initiate a range of positive actions to promote and enhance water
safety in Miami Beach, According to the professionals in the industry, education must be a
priority. The overall philosophy is not to issue citations to every vessel and personal watercraft
operator but to educate people on the water, Enforcement is a tool that must go hand-in-hand
with education to be applied effectively,
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