Moving to a New Normal: Miami-Dade County opens marinas and boat launches to the public Wednesday, April 29

Informed by recommendations from health experts and pursuant to the emergency order signed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez on April 27, 2020, Miami-Dade County is "Moving to a New Normal" and easing restrictions on its marinas and boat, kayak and canoe launches.

Marinas and boat, kayak and canoe launches are open to the public from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

CDC guidelines requiring the use of masks, six feet of social distancing between individuals and the limit of groups to 10 or fewer people must be followed. Marina patrons should anticipate longer than usual wait times to launch and retrieve their vessels. 

To ensure the safety of all marina patrons and staff, the following requirements must be followed: 

• Boats must remain 50' apart at all times.
• Tying up boats is prohibited.
• Stiltsville is prohibited.
• Rafting up of boats is prohibited.
• Landings are prohibited.
• Beaching of boats is prohibited.
• Only one boat can launch per ramp at a time. Vessels must be prepared in advance to launch (plug secured, dock lines tied, safety equipment and provisions already onboard).
• Facial coverings shall be worn while on shore until the vessel departs the marina and upon return to the marina.
• All passengers must board the vessel once it is  launched.
• Upon returning to the dock, all passengers must remain on the vessel until the boat is ready to be loaded onto the trailer. Once loaded, all passenger(s) shall return to their vehicle(s) and immediately exit the launch facility together.

  Boat capacity will be enforced as follows: 

• Boats 25’ or less: four adults maximum, plus children. Children must be 17 and under. Maximum of eight people on the boat. 
• Boats 26’ – 36’: six adults maximum, plus children. Children must be 17 and under. Maximum of 10 people on the boat.
• Boats 37’ and greater: eight adults maximum, plus children. Children must be 17 and under. Maximum of 10 people on the boat.
• No boat shall exceed the maximum capacity of persons per “maximum capacity label.”

Access to public restrooms will be available, with frequent cleaning (every two hours) by contracted janitorial services. 

Bait and tackle stores and fuel docks will be open. Patrons and staff will be required to utilize personal protective equipment and practice social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Staff may limit the number of persons using bait and tackle shops to ensure social distancing is maintained. Floor markings shall be used to assist customers in observing social distancing.

Jet ski rental operations will be single riders only. Safe CDC guidelines regarding sanitizing must be followed by concessionaires. 

Kayak and canoe launch areas are open. Users must follow CDC social distancing guidelines. 

One person at a time will be permitted to use each fish-cleaning station. Social distancing per CDC guidelines must be practiced at stations.

At fishing piers, persons must wear facial masks while fishing and also maintain social distancing rules of a minimum of 10 feet between persons fishing, with the exception of family members. 

Captain, crew and patrons of charter vessels must wear facial coverings and practice social distancing rules, both on shore and on the vessel. Six-Pack Charter Vessels must adhere to no more than four guests per vessel and follow CDC guidelines.

Drift fishing boats (head boats) will provide for social distancing, which shall include delineating safe social distancing positions, including but not limited to tape or markings for patrons on seats, vessel railings and the deck. All persons fishing shall have his/her own fishing poles and tackle. Equipment rental is prohibited. Fish cleaning and bait table stations will be limited to one person per station at a time and cleaned with soap and water or a disinfecting agent between each charter. If crew members are filleting fish a patron caught, only one person per table. CDC cleanliness guidelines shall be posted in onboard restrooms/heads; restrooms will be sanitized and disinfected at least hourly and after each trip, or more frequently as needed. Soap and water, hand sanitizer or both will be provided for patrons. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, Miami-County Dade Police and Park Rangers will continue to monitor the County’s marinas to enforce compliance with these requirements and to ensure public safety. Those in violation of these requirements may be subject to a misdemeanor fine of $500. 

The above actions are being implemented in an abundance of caution as the health and safety of residents and visitors are of the utmost importance.

For updates or more information on marina openings, please visit www.miamidade.gov/newnormal.

For additional updates on COVID-19, please monitor the County’s website at  www.miamidade.gov/coronavirus.

For Miami-Dade County Parks questions or concerns, please call 305-755-7910. 

About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces:

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 278 parks and 13,769 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on Placemaking, Health and Fitness and Conservation and Stewardship. The non-profit Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade supports Miami-Dade County Parks’ efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors.

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