continuous Slow Speed: discontinuous Boca Ciega …

1 82 45'0"W 82 40'0"W. Boater's Tips: IDLE SPEED Speed Restrictions Stay clear of the main ship channel when large Vessel speeds are regulated for many reasons ships are approaching. Some vessels entering including safety concerns in high traffic areas, Fishing Piers tampa Bay are as long as two football fields, NO WAKE and to help ensure the safety of swimmers, Public Boat Ramps carry hazardous materials, and are fairly dif- boaters, or manatees. Please refer to motor 6 foot depth line ficult to maneuver.

2 Many clear the 45-foot exclusion zones and shallow water cautionary Seminole Channel deep shipping channel by as little as 4 feet, zones on the map. Intracoastal Waterway and may require a mile or more to stop. Pilot's SLOW SPEED Park Blvd. Mangroves vision may be restricted by the large size of the Idle Speed: A vessel operating in an Idle National Wildlife Refuge Speed No Wake zone must slow to the minimum 27 50'0"N. vessel they are captaining. It is up to the small Seagrass 27 50'0"N. boat operator to keep safely out of the way of speed that will maintain steerage control.

3 An these ships. MINIMUM WAKE example of this is to put a car's automatic trans- continuous mission in Drive and allow it to idle forward. discontinuous Boca Ciega Bay Boater's Guide In case of an emergency, use VHF Channel 13. to communicate with commercial ships. RESUME NORMAL. Slow Speed: A vessel operating in a Slow Speed Zones Speed Minimum Wake zone must come fully Be sure your boat is visible at night and in off plane and completely settle in the water. The No Entry poor weather conditions. vessel's wake must not be excessive, so as not No Internal Combustion Johns Pass Johns Pass to to Passage Passage Key, Key, including including Shell Shell Key, Key, Fort Fort De De Soto, Soto, &.

4 & Egmont Egmont Key Key The main shipping channels are shown on to create a hazard to other vessels. Slow Speed Semino le Slow Speed the map. SAFE OPERATION Minimum Wake and Slow Speed mean the Bridge Idle Speed same thing and require the same operation. The Bay Pines ay Royal Terns, Short-billed Dowitchers, Ruddy Turnstones, and ew B. Keep your boat in good repair with all neces- Welcome to Boca Ciega Bay! Audubon terms are used interchangeably. us War Ca sary safety equipment on board. Veterans Ty ro ne of Florida, St.

5 Petersburg Audubon oca Ciega Bay offers a variety of other birds rely on sandbars as resting areas. Photo by Lee Snyder. Resume Normal Safe Operation: ch NO ENTRY. Memorial Society, and our partners have produced Bl el Park vd boaters' destinations, special habitats, and W.. this Guide to share interesting informa- Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge Park St. N. Watch for changing weather conditions. When exiting an Idle Speed or Slow Speed (NWR) was the tion about the extraordinary natural spectacular natural resources.

6 The bay is BEYOND zone, you will see a sign that states Resume third Federal Bird Reservation created by presidential decree in 1905 by Know your boat's limitations and respect them. Dogleg resources of this special area. The map is located on the north side of the mouth of tampa THIS POINT Normal Safe Operation. At this point you may Madeira Key provided for informational purposes and Teddy Roosevelt. This dynamic sandy barrier island located in the mouth of Beach Bird Bay and is bordered by the cities of St.

7 Petersburg, Jet skis are boats, too, and must follow all increase your speed to one that is appropriate for Little Sanctuary is not intended to serve as a navigation Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Gulf tampa Bay periodically hosts a vibrant ground-nesting bird colony, listed by Bird boating regulations. the sea and vessel traffic conditions. Key Bird chart. Management areas are subject to port, Seminole, and Madeira Beach. Visitors can the FWC as among Florida's six most important colonies.

8 Brown Pelicans, Rookery revision as landscapes and habitat usage The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squad- Key find historic forts, important natural communi- Royal and Sandwich Terns, Laughing Gulls, and Black Skimmers nest here rons offer free boat inspections and boating COMBUSTION No Entry: Boats, people, and pets prohibited. Eleanor by wildlife shifts. The map was designed and formatted by Jacob Tustison, Florida ties, and some of the largest, most diverse, and when Passage Key emerges above the high tide line.

9 Storms in 2004 and 2005. 66th St. N. Island safety classes. These are interesting, fun, and MOTOR Combustion Motor Exclusion: No Marine Research Institute. most important bird areas in Florida. Nearly all of moved Passage Key sands, so the island is now below high tide. The area is a informative. See Resources for information. gas or diesel powered motor use beyond the sign. the Gulf beaches are used by nesting loggerhead designated bird protection area, and the island and surrounding waters are Be careful to prevent spills during fueling and EXCLUSION Electric motors, poling, and paddling allowed.

10 Tyrone Blvd. turtles. Waterways emptying into Boca Ciega Bay closed to visitors year-round, including an off-shore buffer area. The refuge is include Lake Seminole (through Long Bayou), administered as a unit of the Chassahowitzka NWR Complex (352/563-2088). when adding oil. Shallow Water Danger: The areas Cross Bayou, Bear Creek, Clam Bayou, and French . behind the signs are very shallow and have 1st Ave. N. man's Creek. Although major portions of the bay Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park Safety and Security: healthy seagrass beds.