COVID-19

More Access for Florida Boaters

Florida Boating Access

Boaters launch at River Park Marina boat ramps in St. Lucie County, Fla. Photo by TCPalm.com

Boaters in Port St. Lucie, Fla., got some good news this morning when the city announced that municipally managed boat ramps re-opened this morning at 8 a.m. The city closed all four of its ramps on March 24 because it received complaints of boaters not observing social distancing guidelines.

Four Ramps Open

The ramps in Port St. Lucie that are now open are at Canal Park at 500 SE Oakridge Drive, Oak Hammock Park, 982 SW Villanova Road, Veterans Park at Rivergate at 2200 SE Veterans Memorial Parkway and River Place Park, 690 N.W. Bayou Country Lane.

Rules In Place

Since the initial closure, Florida governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide executive order that boaters must remain 50 feet apart and have fewer than 10 passengers on board. Additionally, boaters are reminded to maintain a safe distance others while loading the boat or fueling and that they should wash or disinfect their hands after touching equipment like a fuel pump.

Florida Boating Access

In late March, a gathering similar to this one at the Stuart Sandbar forced Port St. Lucie officials to close the ramps.

In a release, the city of Port St. Lucie said that law enforcement will be visible on the waterways to remind boaters to adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Distancing guidelines. The Port St. Lucie police department’s marine patrol will be near launch sites while St. Lucie County and Martin County sheriffs will be patrolling local sandbars. Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission will enforce laws as it sees fit.