Slower Blackwater wake zones proposed

MILTON — Watercraft users on the Blackwater River must navigate carefully when slow-speed, minimum-wake zones are active for special events near the Milton Riverwalk. However, the Milton council may vote to make these zones permanent during its 5:45 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.

Wake refers to the ripples that boats and other watercraft leave when traveling. The area in question, labeled 2 C and 2 D, encompasses a portion of the Blackwater River 500 feet from the north end of the Riverwalk boardwalk to 300 feet south of the CSX train trestle.

Councilman Jeff Snow brought the issue before the Milton council during its Executive Committee meeting Monday.

“My issue is, and what I hear from numerous boaters is … you're causing a lot of damage to people’s property on these boats … I'm a boater and I'm a jet skier and that’s the last place I want to be speeding. I think it's a safety issue, also, not just property,” Snow said.

“The issue that comes up is policing that,” City Manager Brian Watkins said of a permanent change. “If you put it up there all the time, (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) … might have more people up here.”

Snow wanted permanent no-wake zones in the areas mentioned but Watkins said the city has worked previously with FWC and he recommended making permanent the currently permitted slow speed, minimum wake zones.

The Blackwater Pyrates, a civic organization dedicated to river cleanup, maritime preservation and boater safety, supports the measure as a step in the right direction.

Capt. Carl Whitson applauded the city’s efforts to slow boaters on the Blackwater River near the Riverwalk to promote property and human safety.

“We appreciate the city moving forward with this initiative … We’re absolutely for no-wake zones, but this is better than nothing,” Whitson said.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Slower Blackwater wake zones proposed