RECREATIONAL BOAT TRAFFIC SURVEYS OF … · RECREATIONAL BOAT TRAFFIC SURVEYS OF BROWARD COUNTY, ... Boat Traffic Surveys of Broward County, ... Florida Power and Light Company

RECREATIONAL BOAT TRAFFIC SURVEYS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION CONTRACT 03193

FINAL REPORT

Submitted to: Dr. Elsa M. Haubold Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) 100 8th Avenue Southeast St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Submitted by: Mote Marine Laboratory

Center for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441

(941) 388-4223 FAX

Jay F. Gorzelany

Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236

6 June 2005

Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report Number 1017

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Title Of Project: Boat Traffic Surveys of Broward County, Florida

Principal Investigator: Jay Gorzelany, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson

Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236

Goals Of The Project: To characterize boating patterns in Broward County, Florida and

provide information leading to the completion of the Broward County Boat Facility Siting Plan

and Manatee Protection Plan (MPP).

Introduction:

Assessments of recreational boating activity and boater compliance have been identified

as important tools for both waterway management and manatee protection (USFWS, 2001). In

spite of the fact that watercraft-related deaths still account for 25 to 30 percent of the annual

manatee mortality, (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute data), information regarding on-

water boating activity is lacking during the development process of county-wide manatee

protection plans. Counties typically rely upon the numbers of registered vessels, and the quantity

and distribution of boat facilities (marinas, boat ramps, etc) within the county in order to

“characterize” boat use. Spatial and temporal patterns of boating use, however, are frequently

unavailable. Where regulatory speed zones have been established, either no determination of

boater compliance has been performed, or information is limited to data provided by law

enforcement agencies during on-water activities. Recent studies of recreational boating activity

and boater compliance (Gorzelany, 1996, 1998, 2000; Morris, 1994; Shapiro, 2001; Tyson and

Combs, 1999) have provided valuable information that has lead to improved management of

Florida waterways.

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With more than 266 miles of fresh and estuarine waterways and thousands of natural and

man-made lakes, Broward County, Florida has an abundance of surface waters used for many

purposes by residents and visitors, and by the fish and wildlife that depend on these waters for

survival. With the exception of a few natural, freshwater ponds and remnant rivers, the majority

of waterways in Broward County are comprised of hardened shoreline and man-made canals.

The extensive canal network throughout Broward was constructed in the early 1900s for flood

control and drainage to facilitate land development (Broward County DPEP). Recreational

boating is a significant business in Broward County, representing an estimated $8.8 billion

economic impact. Estimated at 1,000 marine businesses, Broward County is the leading

contributor of marine sales in Florida with 29 percent of all marine-related sales (Marine

Industries Association of Florida data). Approximately 1,400 megayachts visit South Florida

annually, relying upon area boatyards for service, refit, and repair. Of the 46,347 registered

vessels in Broward County, 30 percent are designated as greater than 26 feet in length (Florida

Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data).

Manatee use in Broward County is well-documented, and this area has been designated as

one of 13 “key” counties in Florida required to develop a comprehensive Manatee Protection

Plan (MPP). Information on the distribution of manatees throughout the county is available from

a series of aerial survey projects which were conducted by the Florida Department of Natural

Resources (now FWC) in 1988-90 and by Broward County DPEP in 1991-92. Additional aerial

survey information on winter season distribution is available from a series of statewide manatee

synoptic surveys that are managed by the State of Florida, and from aerial surveys funded by

Florida Power and Light Company (FPL). Synoptic survey data from Broward County extends

back to 1991, while FPL surveys in proximity to Broward County power plants have also been

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conducted annually since 1977 (Reynolds, 2004). These studies provide a long term database of

information on manatee abundance and trends in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Radio and satellite

telemetry data from tagged manatees utilizing Broward County waters has also been collected

(Reid et al., 1991, Deutsch et al., 2003). Finally, a database of information on manatee mortality

in Broward County extends back to 1974 (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute data).

While evidence suggests that some manatees are found in Broward County year-round, the

population is essentially seasonally migratory, with large winter aggregations of animals

occupying the areas adjacent to two power plants (Mezich, 2001).

A total of 144 manatee deaths have been reported in Broward County between 1974 and

2003. Of these, 66 deaths were attributed to human-related causes (54 watercraft-related deaths,

6 flood gate / lock deaths, and 6 deaths from other human-related causes). While the absolute

number of human-related manatee deaths in Broward County is relatively low (ranked 8th among

the 13 key Florida counties), the relative proportion of deaths from human causes (47%) is

relatively high (ranked 3rd among the 13 key counties). By comparison, human-related deaths

account for 35% of all manatee deaths among the 13 key Florida counties and, and 30% among

all Florida counties combined. The counties with the highest proportion of human-related

deaths are all located in southeast Florida (Dade, Martin, Broward, and Palm Beach). This is an

indication that areas of conflict between manatees and human-related activity are particularly

common in some of the most highly developed areas of the state and suggests an ongoing

resource conflict between human activity (boating) and manatee use in these areas.

While significant progress has been identified, the Broward County MPP remains

incomplete. One component that has been identified as lacking is a better understanding of boat

traffic patterns within the county. This report summarizes a one-year study of boating activity in

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Broward County conducted during 2004 and 2005. The purpose of this work was to provide

critical information necessary for the development and implementation of a comprehensive MPP

for Broward County.

Methods:

Task 1: Aerial Surveys

County-wide low-level aerial surveys were performed using a Cessna 172 fixed-wing

aircraft. The single observer/videographer method, used successfully during similar boating

surveys (Gorzelany, 1998, Gorzelany and Flamm, 2004) was employed. For this method, a

single observer / videographer was seated in the right front seat of the survey aircraft. A

standard survey route was flown over the entire county, and an image-stabilizing Digital 8 Sony

camcorder with date and time imprint was used to record all vessels in-use. A vessel “in-use”

was defined as either 1) a vessel underway, or 2) a stationary vessel in the process of being used.

This included fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, or similar recreational activities, along with

vessels at short-term dockage or anchorage sites such as waterside restaurants, fuel docks,

waterside bait and tackle shops, fishing piers, boat ramps, beaches, spoil islands, or sand bars.

“In-use” did not include stationary vessels located at long-term storage facilities such as

anchorages, wet and dry storage marinas, or yacht clubs. Stationary (moored) vessels located at

single family or multi-family residential docks also were not considered “in use”. The observer

also provided voice-over audio recording of both location information and vessel information

through a remote microphone attached to an aircraft headset.

Aerial surveys were typically flown at an altitude of 1000 feet (304m), however altitude

was occasionally modified (either higher or lower) when instructed by local air traffic control

towers. All major waterways in Broward County were surveyed, including the entire length of

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the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Hillsboro Inlet, Port Everglades, Stranahan River, Dania

Cutoff Canal, New River, Middle River, Cypress Creek, Pompano Canal, and all adjacent

residential canals. The typical survey area is provided in Figure 1. The flight path was also

modified at times in order to avoid air traffic conflicts with both Fort Lauderdale International

Airport and Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Due to occasional air traffic conflicts, the upper

portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal, New River, and Middle River were inaccessible at times and

surveys of these areas were somewhat limited.

A total of 17 county-wide aerial surveys (four surveys per quarter plus one holiday

weekend survey) were conducted. Two weekday and two weekend day surveys were conducted

during each quarter. Two individual surveys were flown per day (morning and afternoon). Start

times were also varied between flights. Pre-flight coordination with Port Everglades Security,

Broward County Law Enforcement, and Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Tower was

necessary in order to gain accessibility to restricted airspace within Broward County.

Once completed, original Digital 8mm aerial survey footage was transferred to DVD-R

format and analyzed for GIS mapping. Each recorded vessel in use was hand plotted onto a

series of digital orthophotos using ArcView GIS 8.3®. Data were linked to a Microsoft Excel

2002® spreadsheet, which provided vessel type, size, activity, relative speed, direction of travel

(if any) and a unique alphanumeric code for each vessel in- use observed.

Vessel type categories were identified as:

• Small Powerboat (SP) • Large Powerboat (LP) • Sail Boat (SA) • Personal Watercraft (PS) • Other (OT)

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Vessel size categories were identified as:

• less than 11 feet • 12 feet –15 feet • 16 feet - 25 feet • 26 feet – 39 feet • 40 feet – 64 feet • 65 feet – 109 feet • greater than 110 feet

Vessel activity was identified as:

• Anchor / Drift (A) • Travel (T) • Ski / Sport (S) • Commercial (C)

Vessel speeds were identified as:

• Idle / Slow (SL) • Plowing (PW) • Cruising (CR) • Planing (PL) • Under Sail (US)

Along with vessel data, environmental conditions including weather, wind speed and

direction, and surface conditions, were recorded. Boating conditions were also qualitatively

evaluated as (Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent). To ensure accuracy, a minimum of 50 percent of all

plotted data were rechecked against the original video footage.

All GIS data, including .shp, .shx, .txt files, and associated metadata and dictionary files

were provided as a deliverable to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. All original

video footage (in both Digital 8 and DVD-R format) was retained and archived.

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Task 2: Fixed Point Surveys

Three fixed point boat traffic survey sites were established. Survey sites were located

along the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, along the lower New River at Colee Hammock Park,

and at John U. Lloyd State Park (Figures 2 and 3). The Colee Hammock site provided

observation of all vessel traffic along the New River. The Hugh Taylor Birch survey site

provided observation along the ICW between Port Everglades and Hillsboro Inlet, and the John

Lloyd site provided observation of vessel traffic along the ICW south of Port Everglades, and of

all vessel traffic entering and exiting the Dania Cutoff Canal.

Four days of summer surveys (two weekdays and two weekend days) were conducted

during July and August 2004, and four days of winter surveys (two weekday and two weekend

day) were conducted during February 2005 at each survey site. Summer and winter surveys

were conducted in order to capture any potential changes in boat traffic patterns and boater

compliance resulting from changes in seasonal manatee speed zone regulations affecting portions

of the county during the winter. All three sites were surveyed on the same days. Both morning

(0900-1200hrs) and afternoon (1300-1600hrs) survey intervals were conducted at each site.

Teams of observers stationed at each site recorded each vessel transitioning within an established

viewing area. For each boat observation, the time of day, vessel type, size, origin, destination,

registration number (when possible) and qualitative speed were recorded on standard field data

sheets. Survey parameters were recorded using standard boat survey methods established for

previous compliance studies conducted in southwest Florida (Gorzelany, 1996, 1998, 1999).

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Vessel size categories, taken from standard FWC Law Enforcement size classes, were

designated as:

• Less than 12 feet • 12 to 15 feet • 16 to 25 feet • 26 to 39 feet • 40 to 64 feet • 65 to 109 feet • Greater than 109 feet

Vessel type classes were designated as follows:

• Open Fisherman (OF) • Ski / Sport / Runabout (SK) • Deck Boat (DK) • Yacht / Cruiser (YT) • Pontoon Boat (PT) • Personal Watercraft (PS) • Scarab / Cigarette (SC) • Jonboat (JN) • Sail Boat (SA) • Other (OT)

In addition, each vessel was further designated as either private, commercial, rental, or

enforcement.

Vessel speed definitions were taken from Gorzelany (1999, 2000) and were originally

adapted from the Florida Administrative Code 62N-22. Individual speed categories are described

as follows:

• Idle Speed: The minimum speed that maintains steerage of a vessel, or the speed at

which a vessel is normally docked. Little or no displacement of water is observable from

either the bow or stern, and the vessel remains level in the water at all times. This speed

has also been defined as approximately 1 to 3 miles per hour (Sarasota County, 1994).

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• Slow Speed: The speed at which all vessels are completely off plane and fully settled in

the water. Some minimal water displacement at either the bow or stern (or both) may be

observed. This speed has also been defined as approximately 5 to 7 miles per hour

(Sarasota County, 1994).

• Plowing Speed: An intermediate speed between planing speed and slow speed. The bow of

the vessel typically rides higher than the stern, and substantial displacement of water occurs.

Depending on the size and type of vessel, plowing may occur at a variety of speeds, but is

most often observed between 10-20 miles per hour (Gorzelany, 2000). This speed

designation is used specifically for vessels with planing-type hulls.

• Cruising Speed: A qualitative speed designation uniquely applied to a relatively fast-

moving vessel with a non-planing-type hull (e.g.; a pontoon boat or displacement hull

vessel). It is identified by noticeable water displacement from the bow and/or stern and

an observed speed faster than the previously defined Slow Speed designation. Similar to

those at Plowing Speed, vessels at Cruising Speed most often travel at speeds between

10-20 miles per hour (Gorzelany, 2000).

• Planing Speed: A vessel traveling at sufficient speed to partially raise the bow out of the

water during travel. Vessel planing speeds vary widely depending upon vessel size and hull

design; however the majority of planing vessels travel at speeds in excess of 15 miles per

hour (Gorzelany, 1996).

Standard criteria for boater compliance were established and defined as follows:

• Compliance: Any vessel in-use that was observed to maintain a speed that was consistent

with the posted speed restriction in the study area.

• Technical Non-Compliance: A vessel that was observed to be in violation of the posted

speed at a study site, as defined by:

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1) A vessel transitioning at one speed category faster than the posted speed limit (Example:

a vessel traveling at slow speed in an Idle Speed Zone, or a vessel traveling at plowing or

cruising speed in a Slow Speed Zone); or

2) A vessel at any excessive speed, but only for a relatively short distance within the posted

area (Example: a speeding vessel which extends a short distance into a Slow Speed Zone or

Idle Speed Zone before settling off plane, or a vessel which accelerates out of a Slow Speed

Zone or Idle Speed Zone before leaving the posted area).

• Blatant Non-Compliance: A vessel transitioning at a speed greater than one speed category

faster than the posted limit through a significant portion of a speed-restricted area (Example:

a vessel traveling at planing speed in a Slow Speed Zone or a vessel traveling at plowing or

planing speed through an Idle Speed Zone).

Because of the subjective nature of these definitions, clear distinctions between boat

speeds were difficult in certain instances. On occasions when observers were undecided between

two speed categories, they were instructed to select the more conservative, or slower speed. This

provided a potential underestimate rather than an overestimate of non-compliance (Gorzelany,

1996). By potentially underestimating the number of non-compliant boaters, results will

essentially provide a “best-case” estimate of speed zone effectiveness in a given area.

Along with vessel data, environmental conditions including weather, wind speed and

direction, and wave height were recorded. Boating conditions were also qualitatively evaluated

as Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent. Additional comments related to vessel identification, type, or

specific activity were also recorded as needed. Incidental marine mammal sightings were also

noted for each survey location.

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Data Management and Analysis

In order to standardize field data collection, each field observer was briefed on proper use of field

data codes and definitions prior to sampling. Experienced observers who had participated in

previous boat traffic studies were initially paired with new observers in order to provide on-site

training and consistency in data collection. The Principal Investigator participated in all field data

collection. At the completion of each sampling event, the team leader for each observation site was

required to review all original field data for accuracy and completeness. Any observations having

incomplete data were eliminated. After computer data entry, a minimum of 10 percent of data from

each survey site was rechecked against the original data sheets in order to ensure accuracy in

computer data entry. Backup copies of all data were maintained. Original field data sheets were

archived for future reference. Fixed point survey data was compiled and entered in spreadsheet

format, sorted, tabulated, and analyzed graphically using Microsoft Excel 2002®.

Results:

Aerial Surveys

A total of 17 aerial surveys of Broward County was completed, including eight weekday surveys,

eight weekend surveys, and one survey conducted over Memorial Day weekend (May 24, 2003).

Boating conditions were evaluated as either “Good” or “Excellent” during each flight. A total of

2,927 vessels in-use was surveyed over 16 regular flights. An additional 525 vessels were

surveyed during the 5/29/04 Memorial Day Weekend flight. A list of aerial survey dates, along

with total vessels surveyed and plotted, is provided in Table 1. Due to conflicts with air traffic

in proximity to both Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Executive

Airport, portions of Broward County could not be surveyed at times. In particular, surveys along

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the upper portion of the Dania Cutoff Canal were limited due to close proximity to the approach

and departure runways at Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport. Similar problems

occurred at times when attempting to survey the upper portions of the Middle River (near Fort

Lauderdale Executive Airport).

Boating conditions were evaluated as “Good” or “Excellent” for all flights. The highest

non-holiday vessel count was observed during the afternoon survey on August 22, 2004 (n=477).

The lowest vessel count was observed during the morning survey on January 24, 2005 (n=63).

Overall highest survey count occurred during the Memorial Day weekend survey on May 29,

2004 (n=525). An average of 104 boats in use per survey were observed during weekdays, and

an average of 261 boats in use per survey were observed during weekends (2.51:1 ratio). A

larger number of boats in use were also typically observed during afternoon survey intervals

(Table 2). Lowest vessel counts in general were observed during winter surveys (December and

January). Of the 2,927 vessels surveyed, 1,102 (38%) were identified as greater than 25 feet in

length, and 149 (5%) were identified as greater than 64 feet in length. The most common size

category was vessels from 16 to 25 feet in length (55% of all vessels observed). Small

powerboats comprised 5 percent of all vessels surveyed. Sailboats comprised 7 percent, and

personal watercraft comprised 2 percent. Vessels identified as “Commercial”, including barges,

cargo vessels, tug boats, tenders, water taxis and buses, and sightseeing/tour boats, comprised

5% of all vessels observed during aerial surveys. Rental boats could not be reliably identified

from aerial surveys. A summary of aerial survey data by type and size category is provided in

Table 3.

A composite GIS map depicting moving (all speeds) versus stationary (anchored/drifting)

boat traffic (all 16 regular survey flights combined) in two key areas (Hillsboro Inlet and Port

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Everglades) is shown in Figures 4 and 5. A composite GIS map comparing slow-moving (idle,

slow) boat traffic with fast-moving (plowing, cruising, planing) boat traffic in the same two areas

is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Anchored / drifting vessels were relatively common in proximity

to Hillsboro Inlet and less common in proximity to Port Everglades Inlet. With the exception of

Hillsboro Inlet, few areas in Broward County were identified with aggregations of stationary

vessels. The majority of boat traffic in the County was comprised of vessels which were

underway. Fast-moving vessels were more common along the ICW and near the mouths of both

inlets. Slower-moving traffic was more common along other inshore waterways, such as the

New River and Dania Cutoff Canal.

Aerial survey data were also standardized and examined quantitatively. First, a series of

40 - one mile radius circles were placed along the entire survey area. The area of inshore water

(Atlantic Ocean not included) was then calculated within each circle. Finally, the number of

vessels observed within each circle was counted in order to calculate the mean number of vessels

observed per survey flight (Figures 8 – 11). Results are summarized in Figures 12 and 13.

Areas with the highest concentrations of vessels in use were located in proximity to both tidal

inlets (Hillsboro Inlet and Port Everglades Inlet). Relatively high concentrations of vessels were

also located along the lower portion of the New River and Stranahan River. Lowest

concentrations of vessels were found along the upper portions of the Middle River, Cypress

Creek, Pompano Canal, and Dania Cutoff Canal. Relatively low concentrations of vessels were

also observed along the ICW near the south County line. Results were consistent for both

weekend and weekday aerial survey data. It should be noted that aerial surveys along the upper

portions of the Dania Cutoff canal were incomplete due to limited access to this area.

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Port Everglades

Boat traffic in proximity to Port Everglades was also examined separately. For the purposes of

analysis the Port Everglades “area” was defined as all navigable waters between the Brooks

Memorial Causeway and the Dania Cutoff Canal. A composite plot of all vessels in use

observed in the Port Everglades area (all 16 regular surveys combined) is provided in Figure 14.

Overall, non-commercial boat traffic comprised 90 percent of all vessels in use observed in the

Port Everglades area. Commercial boat traffic comprised 9 percent of all boat traffic, and

enforcement vessels comprised the remaining 1 percent.

Large vessels (40 feet in length and greater) comprised 21 percent of all vessels observed

in the Port Everglades area. Smaller vessels (less than 26 feet in length) comprised 60 percent of

all vessels in use. Of the vessels observed in the Port Everglades area which were larger than 40

feet in length, 31percent were identified as commercial and 69 percent were identified as non-

commercial. A summary of vessels in use in the Port Everglades area is provided in Tables 4

and 5. For all large commercial vessels, 96 percent were identified as either at anchor, drifting,

or traveling at slow speed. For all large non-commercial vessels, 62 percent were identified as

either at anchor, drifting, or traveling at slow speed. The remainder (38%) were traveling at

either plowing or cruising speed.

Metadata and data dictionaries for Broward County aerial surveys are provided in

Appendix A and B.

Fixed Point Surveys

A total of 48 survey hours was conducted at each fixed point survey site (8 survey days x

6 hours per day). Afternoon intervals were modified slightly during summer surveys in order to

compensate for severe thunderstorms on July 30. A total of 5,489 vessel passes was recorded,

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including 2,001 vessel passes at the Colee Hammock (CH) site, 1,419 vessel passes at the Hugh

Taylor Birch (HTB) site, and 2,069 vessel passes at the John Lloyd (JL) site. Because the same

vessel may have been observed multiple times, vessel counts are expressed as “vessel passes”, in

order to more accurately describe the number of times which any vessel (whether the same or

not), transitioned through the survey area.

Survey dates, along with total vessels surveyed per date, are provided in Table 6.

Comparisons By Vessel Size

A summary of boat traffic composition by vessel size category is provided in Figures 15-17.

Vessels ranging from 16’-25’ in length comprised the single largest size category at all three

sites. Vessels larger than 25 feet in length comprised greater than 50 percent of all vessels

observed at both the CH and HTB sites. The largest proportion of very large vessels (greater

than 64 feet in length) was observed at the CH site (7%). While a higher proportion of smaller

vessels was observed at the JL site, this site also had the largest proportion of vessels greater than

109 feet in length. Small vessels (less than 16 feet in length) comprised less than 5 percent of

boat traffic at all three survey sites. Comparisons of boat traffic by size category are also

summarized in Table 7.

Comparisons By Vessel Type

Vessel composition was somewhat similar among the three survey sites. The most common

vessel types at all three sites were Yacht/Cruiser and Open Fisherman, which comprised more

than two-thirds of all boat traffic (Figures 18-20). Sailboats comprised less than 5% of all

vessels observed at each site, and personal watercraft comprised less than 3% of all vessels

observed at each site. Vessels identified as “Other” comprised a relatively large proportion at the

CH site (19%). These vessels were primarily comprised of water taxis or similar transport

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vessels which were regularly seen along the New River. These vessels were also relatively

common (9% of all vessel types) at the HTB site.

Vessels were also classified as either Commercial, Non-Commercial (Private), Rental, or

Enforcement. Results are summarized in Figure 21. The CH survey site had the largest

proportion of commercial boat traffic (16%), followed by the HTB Site (9%) and the JL site

(3%). As stated above, commercial traffic at both the CH and HTB sites was largely comprised

of water taxis, transports, and sightseeing boats. Commercial traffic at the JL site had a smaller

proportion of water transport boats, and a higher proportion of fishing charters, dive boats, tow

boats, and cargo vessels related to Port Everglades activities. A summary of common-observed

commercial vessels are provided in Table 8. Several commercial vessels, particularly water

taxis, were observed at multiple sites (CH and HTB). On-water enforcement agencies observed

included the Broward County Sheriff, Ft. Lauderdale Police, Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission, Homeland Security, and Hollywood Police. Enforcement vessels

were observed most often at the JL and HTB sites (2% of all boat traffic). Enforcement vessels

comprised less than 1% of all boat traffic at the CH site. Vessels identified as rental boats

comprised a relatively small proportion of boat traffic at all three sites (1.3% at the CH site, 0.8%

at the HTB site, and 0% at the JL site).

A vessel registration number or identifiable name was collected from 4,934 out of 5,489

vessel observations (90%). The remaining 10% of vessels were either recorded as NRD (no

registration displayed) or UNK (registration unknown). In many of these cases, the registration

number was either missing or unreadable. Of the 2,843 vessel passes with recorded non-

commercial registration numbers, 1,063 (37%) were observed more than once, 329 (12%) were

observed more than twice, and 143 (5%) were observed more than three times (Table 9).

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Multiple sightings of the same vessel were also recorded at multiple survey sites. 150 vessels

were observed at both the CH and HTB sites, 114 vessels were observed at both the CH and JL

sites, 94 vessels were observed at both the HTB and JL sites, and 29 vessels were observed at all

three fixed point sites. Of the 2,843 vessel passes with recorded non-commercial registration

numbers, 249 (8.8%) were out-of-state registrations. Vessel registrations from 23 different states

were observed.

Weekday / Weekend Comparisons

As expected, a significant increase in traffic volume occurred on weekends at all three

sites. This trend was similar for both winter and summer surveys. At the CH Site, the number of

vessel passes increased from 23.5 per hour on weekdays to 59.9 per hour on weekends (a ratio of

2.55 to 1). At the HTB Site, an average of 14.8 vessel passes per hour were observed on

weekdays versus 44.4 vessel passes per hour on weekends (a ratio of 2.55 to 1). At the JL Site,

an average of 20.3 vessel passes per hour were observed on weekdays versus 65.9 vessel passes

per hour on weekends (a ratio of 3.24 to 1). For all three sites combined, the mean ratio between

weekend and weekday traffic volume was 2.90 to 1. Other boat parameters (type, size, activity)

remained essentially the same between weekday and weekend surveys. Comparisons between

weekday and weekend boat traffic are summarized in Table 10.

Daily Variations In Boat Traffic

Morning surveys were conducted from 0900 to 1200 hours. Afternoon survey intervals

were typically conducted from 1300 to 1600 hours, though surveys began at 1230 hours on two

occasions during summer surveys in order to compensate for afternoon thunderstorms. While

there was some variation, the volume of boat traffic approximately doubled during afternoon

surveys at all three survey sites. Greater differences between morning and afternoon vessel

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traffic were observed during winter surveys. At the HTB Site, afternoon boat traffic was greater

than three times the volume observed during morning surveys. A comparison between morning

and afternoon boat traffic data is provided in Table 11.

In general levels of traffic increased throughout the day at both the CH and HTB sites.

At the JL site, traffic levels “peaked” in early afternoon (1300-1359 hrs) then decreased slightly

between 1400 hrs and 1600 hrs. Highest volume of traffic (greater than 100 vessel passes per

hour) were observed during winter surveys at the JL site (1300 to 1500 hrs), during winter

surveys at the CH site (1400 to 1600 hrs), and during winter surveys at the HTB site between

(1400 to 1500 hrs). Lowest volumes of traffic (less than 20 vessel passes per hour) were

observed at all three sites between 0900 and 1000 hrs. Hourly comparisons of vessel traffic

from each survey site are provided in Figures 22-27.

Seasonal Comparisons

Four survey days (two weekdays and two weekend days) were conducted at each site

during the summer (July-August 2004) and winter (February 2005). Traffic volume was

consistently greater during winter surveys at all three sites. Differences between summer and

winter vessel counts were most noticeable at the HTB site. Winter counts at this site were more

than 75 percent greater than summer counts for both weekday and weekend survey intervals.

Levels of commercial activity did not appear to significantly contribute to seasonal differences in

vessel counts. A summary of seasonal comparisons is provided in Table 12.

Direction of Travel

Colee Hammock Park Site

Direction of travel at the Colee Hammock Park Site was essentially limited to vessels

traveling either upstream (U) or downstream (D) along the New River. A summary of vessel

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traffic by direction of travel is provided in Table 13. In general, a higher proportion of boat

traffic exited the New River (heading downriver) in the morning, and returned upriver later in the

day. The same trend was observed during both summer and winter surveys, and for both

weekend and weekday surveys. While these morning / afternoon travel patterns were fairly

consistent, the relative proportion of boats traveling in different directions rarely exceeded a 2:1

ratio. Highest levels of traffic in one direction during a one-hour interval were observed for

boats traveling upriver (D > U) between 1400hrs and 1500hrs on winter weekends (an average of

60 vessel passes per hour).

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Site

Direction of travel at this site was essentially limited to vessels either traveling

northbound along the ICW towards Hillsboro Inlet or southbound along the ICW towards the

New River and Port Everglades. While traffic volume generally increased later in the day, no

clear daily travel patterns were observed at this site. The relative proportion of boats traveling

north or south along the ICW was somewhat variable throughout the day. Highest levels of

traffic in one direction during a one-hour interval were observed for boats traveling northward (S

>N) along the ICW between 1400hrs and 1500hrs on winter weekends (an average of 54 vessel

passes per hour). A summary of vessel traffic by direction of travel is provided in Table 14.

John Lloyd State Park Site

Traffic patterns at the JL site were more complex, with three possible original /

destinations. These three directions were 1) southbound along the ICW toward the south

Broward County line and Dade County, 2) Northbound along the ICW toward Port Everglades,

or 3) Eastbound or westbound to and from the Dania Cutoff Canal. Of the 2,069 vessel passes

20

recorded at this site, 1,200 (58%) either originated or terminated at the Dania Cutoff Canal. Of

the 681 vessels observed departing from the Dania Cutoff Canal, 525 (77%) turned north

towards Port Everglades. For all vessels observed traveling in the direction of Port Everglades

(n=966), 54 percent originated from the Dania Cutoff Canal. Hourly observations indicated a

consistent pattern of vessels departing from the Dania Cutoff Canal during morning hours, and

returning later in the day. Between 1300 and 1500 hours, traffic flow was essentially the same in

both directions. Overall, a higher proportion of boats was observed traveling northward towards

Port Everglades in the morning, and traveling southward from Port Everglades later in the day.

An average of more than 50 boats per hour were observed entering and departing the Dania

Cutoff Canal between 1100 hours and 1500 hours during winter weekend surveys. A summary

of vessel traffic by direction of travel is provided in Table 15.

Vessels Speeds and Boater Compliance

All three survey sites were located within manatee speed zones. Speed zone maps

corresponding to the three survey sites are provided in Figures 2 and 3. The CH and JL sites

were located within year-round Slow Speed zones. The HTB site was located within a seasonal,

weekend-only Slow Speed zone. A year-round 50 foot shoreline buffer Slow Speed zone is also

established in this area. Vessel speed and boater compliance data were recorded from each

vessel and are summarized for each site below:

Colee Hammock Site (CH)

Compliance data from the CH site is summarized in Figure 28. Relatively high levels of

boater compliance were observed at this site (78%), with a total of 1,557 out of 2,001

observations of vessels traveling at either idle speed or slow speed. Only 13 out of 2,001

observations (less than 1%) were of vessels traveling at planing speed (blatantly non-compliant).

21

The remaining 21 percent of observations were of vessels traveling at either plowing or cruising

speed (technically non-compliant). Levels of compliance were noticeably higher during winter

surveys (85.2%) as opposed to summer surveys (67.0%). Levels of compliance were also

somewhat higher during morning survey intervals and during weekdays (Tables 16-18).

Enforcement vessels comprised less than 1 percent of all observations at this site (10 out of 2001

vessel passes).

John Lloyd Site (JL)

Overall boater compliance at the JL site was 59% (Figure 29). Technically non-

compliant vessels (vessels traveling at either plowing or cruising speed) comprised percent of all

vessels observed, and blatantly non-compliant vessels (vessels at planing speed) comprised

percent of all vessels observed. Differences in compliance between summer and winter surveys

was not as significant as it was at the CH site (61.6% compliance in winter vs. 56.5%

compliance in summer). Levels of compliance were also somewhat higher during afternoon

intervals and on weekends (Tables 19-21). Enforcement vessels comprised approximately 2

percent of all observations at the JL site (40 out of 2,069 vessel passes).

Hugh Taylor Birch Site (HTB)

Boater compliance at the HTB site was only evaluated during winter weekend survey

days, when slow speed shore-to-shore regulations are in effect. During this period, overall

compliance was 52 percent. Technically non-compliant (plowing or cruising) vessels comprised

45 percent of all vessels observed, and blatantly non-complaint vessels (planing) comprised 3

percent of all vessels observed (Figure 30). There were no seasonal comparisons made

because the Slow Speed shore-to-shore restriction is not in place during the summer. Levels of

compliance were slightly higher during morning survey intervals, however levels of blatant non-

22

compliance were also higher (Tables 22-24). Enforcement vessels comprised 1.7 percent of all

observations at this site (24 out of 1,419 vessel passes).

For all three survey sites, the operators of smaller vessels (less than 26 feet in length)

tended to be less compliant than the operators of larger vessels (26 feet in length and greater).

The single exception was vessels in the 40’ to 64’ size category, which tended to have relatively

low levels of compliance in particular at the HTB site. This was attributed primarily to a large

number of vessel passes by large commercial water taxis, many of which were evaluated as

technically non-compliant.

Discussion

The composition of boat traffic in Broward County differs substantially from recently-

studied counties in southwest Florida. Compared with Lee and Sarasota Counties, Broward

County is comprised of a substantially higher proportion of larger boats, particularly those

greater than 40 feet in length. In Lee and Sarasota Counties, the proportion of vessel traffic

larger than 40 feet in length was less than 5 percent. In Broward County by comparison, the

proportion of vessel traffic larger than 40 feet in length was greater than 20 percent. In addition,

vessels larger than 64 feet in length comprised greater than 5 percent of all boat traffic in

Broward County, compared with less than 1 percent of all traffic in either Lee or Sarasota

Counties. While Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data indicates that

30 percent of all registered vessels in Broward County are greater than 26 feet in length, vessels

larger than 26 feet in length comprised 48 percent of all vessels observed from fixed point sites

and 38 percent of all vessels observed during aerial surveys.

Along with differences in vessel type and size, the relative proportion of commercial

vessels observed was also substantially higher in Broward County. Commercial vessels

23

comprised approximately 2 percent of all boat traffic observed in Lee and Sarasota Counties

(Gorzelany, 1996, 2002), and greater than 9 percent of all boat traffic in Broward County. The

larger proportion of commercial traffic in Broward County is essentially due to two factors

which do not exist in either Lee or Sarasota Counties. First, Broward County is the location of a

major shipping port (Port Everglades) which contributes a significant amount of commercial

traffic through Port Everglades Inlet. Secondly, Broward County has a well-established network

of water transport vessels (water taxis, water buses, etc.) which Lee and Sarasota Counties do

not. These vessels significantly contributed to the number of commercial vessel passes observed

in particular from the Colee Hammock and Hugh Taylor Birch survey sites.

Broward County is also unique with regard to the nature of the waterway itself. Unlike

recently-studied areas along the Florida west coast which include large expanses of open water

such as Pine Island Sound, Gasparilla Sound, Estero Bay, and Charlotte Harbor, the inshore

waters of Broward County are essentially comprised of a network of man-made canals that

function essentially as a travel corridor. Because of the uniqueness of the Broward waterway,

the identification of travel routes is relatively simple due to the fact that boat traffic is essentially

limited a relatively narrow waterway for passage to and from their destinations. Popular boating

destinations exist in Broward County, including Hillsboro Inlet, the lower portion the Middle

River, portions of the ICW south of Port Everglades, and West Lake Park; however the majority

of boat traffic in Broward County appears to utilize the inland waterway for travel to and from

other areas. This includes travel either to and from the Atlantic Ocean via Hillsboro Inlet and

Port Everglades Inlet, or simply travel along the ICW to and from adjacent counties (Palm Beach

or Miami-Dade).

24

A significant number of recreational vessels are docked along seawalls throughout the

entire waterway in Broward County. As a result, some temporarily moorings and short-term

boating destinations in the downtown Ft. Lauderdale area may have been underestimated

because they could not be distinguished from long-term moorings. This likely resulted in an

underestimate of boats in-use, but docked, in certain locations.

Aerial survey results identified several high traffic areas in Broward County. These areas

include both Hillsboro Inlet and Port Everglades, along with the lower portion of the New River

system and Stranahan River. Moderate levels of boat traffic were observed along the majority of

the Intracoastal Waterway, with heaviest concentrations of vessels in closest proximity to both

tidal inlets. Moderate levels of boat traffic were also observed along the lower portion of the

Dania Cutoff Canal. Boat counts in along the upper portion of the Dania Cutoff Canal is likely

an underestimate due to the fact that aerial surveys of this area were somewhat limited.

Vessel counts from aerial surveys were incomplete in certain areas due to aerial survey

limitations in proximity to Ft Lauderdale Hollywood International airport. As a result, boat

counts along the upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal and New River system are likely

underestimated. Because fixed point survey sites were located along the lower portions of both

the New River and Dania Cutoff Canal, these data should more accurately represent the amount

of boat traffic utilizing these areas.

Fixed point survey data provides additional insight into boat traffic patterns, however

these data should be considered only as general trends because the number of survey days were

somewhat limited (n=8). As a result, seasonal, weekly, and daily comparisons in boat traffic are

based upon a fairly small sample size. In spite of this, results fairly consistently showed higher

25

volume of boat traffic on weekdays versus weekends, afternoons versus mornings, and during

winter versus summer survey intervals.

Fixed point survey data indicate that the Dania Cutoff Canal contributes a significant

number of vessels to the Port Everglades area. The volume of vessel traffic to and from the

Dania Cutoff canal typically exceeds the volume of vessel traffic traveling along the ICW in the

same area. During peak boating periods (weekends) several hundred boats originate from the

Dania Cutoff Canal on a daily basis. The majority of these vessels travel northward towards Port

Everglades.

While levels of boater compliance were relatively low in certain locations (52% overall

compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch site and 59 percent overall compliance at the John Lloyd

Site), the levels of blatant non-compliance were also relatively low (3% blatant non-compliance

at the Hugh Taylor Birch site and 2 % blatant non-compliance at the John Lloyd site). Levels of

compliance at the Colee Hammock site were significantly higher (78% overall). The

narrowness of the waterway in this area, along with high concentrations of traffic at times, may

contribute to higher levels of compliance. Similarly, low levels of blatant non-compliance along

the ICW at both the Hugh Taylor Birch and John Lloyd sites may also be due in part to the

relatively high levels of traffic and narrowness of the waterway system. In these instances,

vessel speed and levels of compliance may be self-limiting, and related to boating safety due to

the high levels of boat traffic at times. A similar situation was encountered in Lee County

(Gorzelany, 2000), where a strong negative correlation between numbers of vessels and vessel

speed was determined, indicating that high levels of compliance are related to the high volume of

boat traffic.

26

While the majority of non-compliant boaters were evaluated as technically non-

compliant, these boats may still pose a significant risk to manatees. This is because technical

non-compliance within a Slow Speed zone refers to vessels traveling at either plowing or

cruising speed, which can potentially cause significant harm to animals. In high traffic areas

such as the Stranahan River and Port Everglades, the levels of technical non-compliance will

result in a substantial number of vessels traveling at plowing and cruising speeds at times.

Because these areas are also known to be high use areas for manatees, there is a potentially

greater risk of adverse interaction with boats.

Data for enforcement vessels are likely an underestimate of enforcement effort, because

observers only count vessel passes (number of times an enforcement vessel transitions through a

study area). This does not account for the amount of time an enforcement vessel remains in a

given area. For this reason, enforcement activity in Broward County may be a more significant

contributing factor to the low levels of blatant non-compliance than was observed from fixed

point survey data. A more accurate representation of enforcement activity may be from an

examination of duty logs, or examination of warnings and citations issued by various law

enforcement agencies.

Conservation benefits:

The primary purpose of this work will be as a reference tool for waterways management

in Broward County, by providing new information on boat traffic patterns and boater

compliance. Data acquired on human use can be integrated with natural resources information

in order to better provide for better planning and management of coastal resources in Broward

County. Immediate benefits of this project will include an assessment of recreational boating

27

patterns which will aid in the development of the Broward County Boat Facility Siting Plan and

Manatee Protection Plan.

Anticipated publications:

The most immediate and obvious published product from this work will be the Broward

County Boat Facility Siting Plan and Manatee Protection Plan. Other peer-reviewed scientific

publications may be possible, though more likely as a compilation of recreational boat traffic

data from other Florida counties.

Public presentations at which the project results were described:

Portions of these data were presented at the Marine Mammal Health Conference II in

Gainesville, FL on April 9, 2005. In addition, portions of this project were presented at the

Manatee Forum IV in St. Petersburg on June 7, 2005.

28

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to staff and volunteers of Mote Marine Laboratory, particularly Mina Innes,

Kerri Scolardi, and Teresa Kessenich, for their assistance in both the data collection and data

processing phases of this study. Thanks also to aerial survey pilots Bud Freeman, Greg Baker,

and Lew Lawrence for their expertise under occasionally difficult aerial survey conditions, along

with special thanks also to FAA supervisor Harley Mumma and air traffic controllers at Ft

Lauderdale Hollywood International Tower for their cooperation and assistance. Thanks also to

both John Lloyd State Park and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for their cooperation. Finally,

thanks to Richard Flamm and Hope White for their invaluable assistance with the GIS analysis,

interpretation, and presentation of project results.

29

Literature Cited:

Deutsch, C.J. 2000. Winter movements and use of warm water refugia by radio-tagged West Indian manatees along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Final report prepared for Florida Power and Light Company and the U.S. Geological Survey. 133pp.

Mezich, R.R. 2001. Manatees and Florida Power & Light’s Lauderdale and Port Everglades

Power Plants. Report developed for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 24pp.

Reid, J.P., G.B. Rathbun, and J.R. Wilcox. 1991. Distribution patterns of individually

identifiable West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) in Florida. Marine Mammal Science 7:180-190.

Reynolds III, J.E. 2004. Distribution and Abundance of Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus

latirostris) around selected power plants following winter cold fronts: 2003-2004. Prepared for Florida Power & Light Company. Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 967.

Gorzelany, J.F, and R.O. Flamm. 2004. A characterization of recreational boat traffic patterns

prior to the establishment of speed restrictions in Lemon Bay, Florida. Final Report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 62 pp. Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report Number 966.

Gorzelany, J.F. 2003. A Characterization Of Boat Traffic In Terra Ceia Bay, Florida. Final

Report submitted to the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, 42 pp. Gorzelany, J.F. 2000. Evaluation of vessel traffic and boater compliance in association with new

boat speed regulations in the lower Caloosahatchee River. Final report submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Office of Environmental Services, Protected Species Management. 42 pp + appendices.

Gorzelany, J.F. 1998. Evaluation of boat traffic patterns and boater compliance in Lee County,

Florida. Final Report submitted to the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, 109 pp + appendices.

Gorzelany, J.F. 1996. Evaluation of boater compliance with speed regulations in Sarasota County,

Florida. Final Report submitted to the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, 106 pp + appendices.

Morris, J.G. 1994. An investigation of compliance to boat speed regulations in manatee

protection zones in Brevard County, Florida. Final report submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 74 pp.

30

Shapiro, S.L. 2001. Assessing boater compliance with manatee speed zones in Florida. Final report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Project No. 9322-1602280. 75pp + appendices.

Tyson, S, and L.R. Combs. 1999. Canaveral Barge Canal boater activity and compliance

study, Brevard County, Florida. Final report submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 87 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Florida Manatee Recovery Plan (Trichechus manatus

latirostris), Third Revision. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlanta, Georgia. 144 pp. + appendices.

31

List of Tables:

Table 1. Broward County aerial survey dates, along with total vessels surveyed per flight.

Table 2. Aerial survey data summary; all 16 regular surveys combined.

Table 3. Aerial survey data summary; comparison of vessel counts by type and size category.

Table 4. Summary of aerial survey data from the Port Everglades area by vessel size, type

and class; all 16 regular surveys combined.

Table 5. Comparison of speeds between large commercial and non-commercial vessels in proximity to Port Everglades.

Table 6. Broward County fixed point survey dates, along with total vessels surveyed per site.

Table 7. Comparison of fixed point survey data by size category.

Table 8. Summary of identified commercial vessels observed on 8 or more occasions.

Table 9. Frequency distribution of identified non-commercial vessels observed from fixed point survey sites.

Table 10. Comparisons of weekend and weekday boat traffic from fixed point survey sites.

Table 11. Comparisons of morning and afternoon boat traffic from fixed point survey sites.

Table 12. Seasonal comparisons of boat traffic from fixed point survey sites.

32

Table 13. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the Colee Hammock Site.

Table 14. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site.

Table 15. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the John Lloyd Site.

Table 16. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock Site.

Table 17. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock Site.

Table 18. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock

Site.

Table 19. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site.

Table 20. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site.

Table 21. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site.

Table 22. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site. Table 23. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch

Site.

Table 24. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site.

33

List of Figures:

Figure 1. Limits of aerial surveys for the Broward County Boat Study. Red areas were routinely surveyed, while yellow areas were typically limited by proximity to Ft Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport.

Figure 2. Broward County speed zone map, including location of CH and HTB survey sites.

Figure 3. Broward County speed zone map, including the location of the JL survey site.

Figure 4. Comparison of stationary (orange) and moving (yellow) vessels surveyed in the Hillsboro Inlet area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

Figure 5. Comparison of stationary (orange) and moving (yellow) vessels surveyed in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

Figure 6. Comparison of slow-moving (pink) and fast-moving (green) vessels surveyed in the Hillsboro Inlet area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

Figure 7. Comparison of slow-moving (pink) and fast-moving (green) vessels surveyed in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

Figure 8. Broward County waterway, partitioned into 40 – 1 mile radius areas.

Figure 9. Expanded view of northern portion of Broward County waterway, including Hillsboro Inlet and the Cypress Creek / Pompano Canal waterway, including calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

Figure 10. Expanded view of central portion of Broward County waterway, including the Middle River, New River, and Port Everglades, including calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

Figure 11. Expanded view of southern portion of Broward County waterway, including the Dania Cutoff Canal and southern portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, including

34

calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

Figure 12. Relative abundance of boat traffic from weekday aerial survey data. Green circles indicate areas of relatively low activity, yellow areas indicate areas of relatively

moderate activity, and red areas indicate areas of relatively high activity.

Figure 13. Relative abundance of boat traffic from weekend aerial survey data. Green circles indicate areas of relatively low activity, yellow areas indicate areas of relatively


Figure 14. Comparison of commercial (green) and non-commercial (blue) vessels sighted in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

Figure 15. Distribution of vessels by size category; Colee Hammock survey site.

Figure 16. Distribution of vessels by size category; Hugh Taylor Birch survey site.

Figure 17. Distribution of vessels by size category; John Lloyd survey site.


Figure 19. Distribution of vessels by type category; Hugh Taylor Birch survey site.

Figure 20. Distribution of vessels by type category; John Lloyd survey site.

Figure 21. Distribution of vessel classes (private, commercial, enforcement, rental) at each fixed point survey site.

Figure 22. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Colee Hammock site during summer surveys.

Figure 23. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Colee Hammock site during winter surveys.

35

Figure 24. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Hugh Taylor Birch site during summer surveys.

Figure 25. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Hugh Taylor Birch site during winter surveys.

Figure 26. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the John Lloyd site during summer surveys.

Figure 27. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the John Lloyd site during winter surveys.

Figure 28. Levels of boater compliance observed at the Colee Hammock fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

Figure 29. Levels of boater compliance observed at the John Lloyd fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

Figure 30. Levels of boater compliance observed at the Hugh Taylor Birch fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

36

Table 1. Broward County aerial survey dates, along with total vessels surveyed per flight.

Survey Date Vessels Surveyed

Friday, May 7, 2004 (am) 97 Friday, May 7, 2004 (pm) 142 Saturday, May 22, 2004 (am) 204 Saturday, May 22, 2004 (pm) 384 Sunday, May 29, 2004 (pm) 525 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 (am) 97 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 (pm) 128 Sunday, August 22, 2004 (am) 191 Sunday, August 22, 2004 (pm) 477 Thursday, October 21, 2004 (am) 106 Thursday, October 21, 2004 (am) 123 Saturday, November 13, 2004 (am) 178 Saturday, November 13, 2004 (pm) * 329 Saturday, December, 11, 2004 (am) 131 Saturday, December 11, 2004 (pm) 198 Monday, January 24, 2005 (am) 63 Monday, January 24, 2005 (pm) 79 * - abbreviated survey

37

Table 2. Aerial survey data summary; all 16 regular surveys combined. AERIAL SURVEY SUMMARY

Survey Interval

Mean # boats observed per

flight Sample Size (n)

Weekday mornings 91 4

Weekday afternoons 118 4

Weekend mornings 176 4

Weekend afternoons 347 4 *

Holiday weekend afternoon 525 1

* - afternoon survey on 11/13/04 was shortened due to air traffic conflicts with Ft Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport

38

Table 3. Aerial survey data summary; comparison of vessel counts by type and size category. AERIAL SURVEY DATA

SIZE CATEGORY Vessel Count

Percent Composition

less than 12 feet 48 2% 12 - 15 feet 161 6% 16 - 25 feet 1,616 55% 26 - 39 feet 632 22% 40 - 64 feet 321 11% 65 - 109 feet 115 4% greater than 109 feet 34 1% Total 2,927 100%

TYPE CATEGORY Vessel Count

Percent Composition

Small Powerboat 1,636 56% Large Powerboat 840 29% Sailboat 193 7% Personal Watercraft 48 2% Other 210 7% Total 2,927 100%

39

Table 4. Summary of aerial survey data from the Port Everglades area by vessel size, type and class; all 16 regular surveys combined. Aerial Survey Data

PTE Zone (Port Everglades)

Size Category # Boats Percentage

< 12 feet 4 1%

12 - 15 feet 8 2% 16 - 25 feet 258 57% 26 - 39 feet 91 20% 40 - 64 feet 53 12%

65 - 109 feet 30 7% > 109 feet 11 2%

Total 455 100%

Type Category # Boats Percentage

Small Powerboat 252 55% Large Powerboat 133 29%

Sailboat 28 6% Pers. Watercraft 4 1%

Other 38 8%

Total 455 100%

Boat Class # Boats Percentage

Commercial 41 9% Enforcement 5 1%

Rental 0 0% Non-Commercial 409 90%

Total 455 100%

40

Table 5. Comparison of speeds between large commercial and non-commercial vessels in proximity to Port Everglades.

Aerial Data

PTE Zone (Port Everglades) Vessels Larger Than 40 Feet

COMMERCIAL Drift /

Anchor Idle / Slow Plowing / Cruising Planing Total

40 - 64 feet 2 10 0 0 12 65 - 109 feet 0 7 1 0 8

> 110 feet 1 8 0 0 9

Total 3 25 1 0 29 Percentage 10% 86% 3% 0% 100%

NON- COMMERCIAL

Drift / Anchor Idle / Slow

Plowing / Cruising Planing Total

40 - 64 feet 6 18 17 0 41 65 - 109 feet 3 11 8 0 22

> 110 feet 0 2 0 0 2

Total 9 31 25 0 65 Percentage 14% 48% 38% 0% 100%

41

Table 6. Broward County fixed point survey dates, along with total vessels surveyed per site.

COLEE HAMMOCK PARK

AM PM VESSELS

SURVEYED 30-Jul-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 137 31-Jul-04 0900-1159 1230-1500 216 29-Aug-04 0900-1159 1230-1559 375 30-Aug-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 87 01-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 167 02-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 173 19-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 338 20-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 508 HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE PARK

AM PM 30-Jul-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 84 31-Jul-04 0900-1159 1230-1500 156 29-Aug-04 0900-1159 1230-1559 231 30-Aug-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 43 01-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 96 02-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 131 19-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 258 20-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 420 JOHN LLOYD STATE PARK

AM PM 30-Jul-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 133

31-Jul-04 0900-1159 1230-1430; 1530-1559 221

29-Aug-04 0900-1159 1230-1559 465 30-Aug-04 0900-1159 1300-1559 95 01-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 123 02-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 137 19-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 348 20-Feb-05 0900-1559 1300-1559 547

42

Table 7. Comparison of fixed point survey data by size category. Fixed Point Survey Data

Size Category

John Lloyd State Park (JL)

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

(HTB) Colee Hammock

Park (CH) Total

< 11 ft 27 29 13 69 12' - 15' 50 13 59 122 16' - 25' 1194 572 901 2667 26' - 39' 485 456 465 1406 40' - 64' 217 303 420 940

65' - 109' 75 41 135 251 > 110' 21 5 8 34

2069 1419 2001 5489

Size Category

John Lloyd State Park (JL)


(HTB) Colee Hammock

Park (CH) Total

< 11 ft 1% 2% 1% 1% 12' - 15' 2% 1% 3% 2% 16' - 25' 58% 40% 45% 49% 26' - 39' 23% 32% 23% 26% 40' - 64' 10% 21% 21% 17%

65' - 109' 4% 3% 7% 5% > 110' 1% 0% 0% 1%

100% 100% 100% 100%

43

Table 8. Summary of identified commercial vessels observed on 8 or more occasions.

Colee Hammock Site (CH)

Name Type # Observations Broward Transport 37 Tropic Transport 26 Michele Transport 20 Dale R Transport 18 Riverfront Cruises Tour 17 Anticipation Tour 16 Carrie B Tour 16 Jungle Queen Tour 16 Riverwalk Transport 15 Glades Transport 14 Buz Transport 13 Cape Ann Towing Tow 10 Clay Shaw Transport 10 Deliverance II Fuel 10 Himmarshee Transport 10 Bio Bus Transport 10 Lauderdale Transport 9

Hugh Taylor Birch Site (HTB)

Name Type # Observations Michele Transport 20 Buz Transport 16 Glades Transport 13 Riverwalk Transport 12 Himmarshee Transport 11 Tropic Transport 10 Dale R Transport 9

John Lloyd Site (JL)

Name Type # Observations Sea Legs III Fishing 8 Sun Cruz V Casino 8

44

Table 9. Frequency distribution of identified non-commercial vessels observed from fixed point survey sites.

Frequency Of Observations

# Unique Vessels

1 1780

2 734

3 186

4 92

5 24

6 13

7 4

8 1

9 3

10 0

11 3

12 1

13 0

14 0

15 0

16 1

17 0

18 0

19 0

20 0

21 0

22 0

23 1

45

Table 10. Comparisons of weekend and weekday boat traffic from fixed point survey sites. Total Vessel Passes

Colee Hammock

Park (CH) Weekend Weekday Ratio summer 591 224 2.64 winter 846 340 2.49 Total 1437 564 2.55


(HTB) Weekend Weekday Ratio summer 387 127 3.05 winter 678 227 2.99 Total 1065 354 3.01

John Lloyd State Park (JL) Weekend Weekday Ratio summer 686 228 3.01 winter 895 260 3.44 Total 1581 488 3.24

All Sites Weekend Weekday Ratio

4083 1406 2.90

46

Table 11. Comparisons of morning and afternoon boat traffic from fixed point survey sites. Total Vessel Passes Colee Hammock

Park Afternoon Morning Ratio summer 495 320 1.55 winter 841 345 2.44 Total 1336 665 2.01

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Afternoon Morning Ratio

summer 359 155 2.32 winter 690 215 3.21 Total 1049 370 2.84

John Lloyd State Park Afternoon Morning Ratio

summer 576 338 1.70 winter 775 380 2.04 Total 1351 718 1.88

All Sites Weekend Weekday Ratio 3736 1753 2.13

47

Table 12. Seasonal comparisons of boat traffic from fixed point survey sites.

Colee Hammock

Park (CH) n Mean Vessel

Passes Per Hour Summer Weekdays 224 18.7 Summer Weekends 591 49.3 Winter Weekdays 340 28.3 Winter Weekends 846 70.5

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (HTB) n

Mean Vessel Passes Per Hour

Summer Weekdays 127 10.6 Summer Weekends 387 32.2 Winter Weekdays 227 18.9 Winter Weekends 678 56.5

John Lloyd State

Park (JL) n Mean Vessel

Passes Per Hour Summer Weekdays 227 18.9 Summer Weekends 687 57.3 Winter Weekdays 260 21.7 Winter Weekends 895 74.6

48

Table 13. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the Colee Hammock Site. COLEE HAMMOCK PARK SURVEY SITE (CH) D = New River downriver, U = New River upriver SUMMER - WEEKDAYS Time Interval D > D D > U U > D U > U Total

0900-0959 0 10 5 0 15 1000-1059 0 16 24 0 40 1100-1159 0 20 26 0 46 1300-1359 0 23 19 0 42 1400-1459 0 33 15 0 48 1500-1559 0 19 14 0 33 Total 0 121 103 0 224

SUMMER - WEEKENDS Time Interval D > D D > U U > D U > U Total

0900-0959 2 9 29 3 43 1000-1059 0 27 41 0 68 1100-1159 0 32 74 2 108 1230-1259 1 21 34 0 56 1300-1359 1 69 46 1 117 1400-1459 4 67 48 2 121 1500-1559 1 46 30 1 78 Total 9 271 302 9 591

WINTER - WEEKDAYS Time Interval D > D D > U U > D U > U Total

0900-0959 0 7 9 0 16 1000-1059 0 12 29 0 41 1100-1159 1 22 24 0 47 1300-1359 0 40 32 0 72 1400-1459 0 39 37 0 76 1500-1559 0 48 40 0 88 Total 1 168 171 0 340

WINTER - WEEKENDS Time Interval D > D D > U U > D U > U Total

0900-0959 0 14 24 0 38 1000-1059 0 27 51 0 78 1100-1159 1 54 70 0 125 1300-1359 1 69 88 0 158 1400-1459 1 120 107 0 228 1500-1559 2 117 97 3 219 Total 5 401 437 3 846

49

Table 14. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site. HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE PARK SITE (HTB)

N = ICW Northbound, S = ICW Southbound

SUMMER - WEEKDAYS Time Interval N > N N > S S > N S > S Total

0900-0959 0 7 6 0 13 1000-1059 0 13 5 0 18 1100-1159 0 5 7 0 12 1300-1359 0 12 10 0 22 1400-1459 0 16 8 0 24 1500-1559 0 18 20 0 38 Total 0 71 56 0 127

SUMMER - WEEKENDS

Time Interval N > N N > S S > N S > S Total 0900-0959 0 7 6 1 14 1000-1059 0 31 12 1 44 1100-1159 0 30 22 2 54 1230-1259 1 15 13 0 29 1300-1359 0 41 46 2 89 1400-1459 0 46 54 0 100 1500-1559 0 24 33 0 57 Total 1 194 186 6 387

WINTER - WEEKDAYS

Time Interval N > N N > S S > N S > S Total 0900-0959 0 1 5 0 6 1000-1059 0 13 11 0 24 1100-1159 2 22 7 0 31 1300-1359 0 28 25 0 53 1400-1459 0 27 26 0 53 1500-1559 0 28 32 0 60 Total 2 119 106 0 227

WINTER - WEEKENDS Time Interval N > N N > S S > N S > S Total 0900-0959 0 9 14 0 23 1000-1059 0 15 28 1 44 1100-1159 1 36 50 0 87 1300-1359 0 79 79 1 159 1400-1459 0 92 108 0 200 1500-1559 1 88 75 1 165 Total 2 319 354 3 678

50

Table 15. Vessel counts by direction of travel at the John Lloyd Site. JOHN LLOYD STATE PARK SURVEY SITE (JL) D = Dania Cutoff Canal, N = ICW Northbound, S = ICW Southbound

SUMMER - WEEKDAYS

Time Interval D>D D>N D>S N>D N>N N>S S>D S>N S>S Total 0900-0959 0 15 1 4 0 1 2 2 0 25 1000-1059 0 8 3 3 0 2 1 6 0 23 1100-1159 0 13 7 11 0 5 2 8 0 46 1300-1359 1 8 2 8 2 9 6 12 0 48 1400-1459 1 10 4 7 0 6 4 4 0 36 1500-1559 0 4 3 25 0 10 3 4 0 49 Total 2 58 20 58 2 33 18 36 0 227

SUMMER - WEEKENDS

Time Interval D>D D>N D>S N>D N>N N>S S>D S>N S>S Total 0900-0959 0 29 1 2 0 2 3 9 0 46 1000-1059 0 47 4 3 0 9 1 23 0 87 1100-1159 0 38 10 16 0 21 3 22 0 110 1230-1259 0 28 12 14 0 15 3 13 0 85 1300-1359 1 34 12 42 0 42 3 31 0 165 1400-1459 0 18 7 29 0 22 8 13 0 97 1500-1559 0 18 7 34 1 14 7 16 0 97 Total 1 212 53 140 1 125 28 127 0 687

WINTER - WEEKDAYS


WINTER - WEEKENDS


51

Table 16. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock Site. Colee Hammock Site (CH) Vessel Passes

Survey Interval Compliance

Technical Non-Compliance

Blatant Non-Compliance

Summer 546 265 4

Winter 1011 166 9 Percentage




Summer 67.0% 32.5% 0.5%

Winter 85.2% 14.0% 0.8%

52

Table 17. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock Site. Colee Hammock Site Vessel Passes




Morning 551 113 1

Afternoon 1006 318 12 Percentage




Morning 82.9% 17.0% 0.2%

Afternoon 75.3% 23.8% 0.9%

53

Table 18. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the Colee Hammock Site. Colee Hammock Site Vessel Passes




Weekday 453 104 7

Weekend 1104 327 6 Percentage




Weekday 80.3% 18.4% 1.2%

Weekend 76.8% 22.8% 0.4%

54

Table 19. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site. John Lloyd Site (JL) Vessel Passes




Summer 516 379 19





Summer 56.5% 41.5% 2.1%

Winter 61.6% 36.9% 1.6%

55

Table 20. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site. John Lloyd Site (JL) Vessel Passes




Morning 407 301 10





Morning 56.7% 41.9% 1.4%

Afternoon 60.7% 37.3% 2.0%

56

Table 21. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the John Lloyd Site. John Lloyd Site (JL) Vessel Passes




Weekday 262 219 7





Weekday 53.7% 44.9% 1.4%

Weekend 61.0% 37.1% 1.9%

57

Table 22. Seasonal comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site. Hugh Taylor Birch Site (HTB) Vessel Passes




Summer * * *





Summer * * *

Winter 44.5% 52.5% 3.0%

58

Table 23. Morning / afternoon comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site. Hugh Taylor Birch Site Vessel Passes




Morning 96 71 11





Morning 53.9% 39.9% 6.2%

Afternoon 49.4% 47.3% 3.3%

59

Table 24. Weekday / weekend comparison of boater compliance at the Hugh Taylor Birch Site. Hugh Taylor Birch Site Vessel Passes




Weekday * * *





Weekday * * *

Weekend 51.5% 45.1% 3.4%

60

Figure 1. Limits of aerial surveys for the Broward County Boat Study. Red areas were routinely surveyed, while yellow areas were typically limited by proximity to Ft Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport.

61

Figure 2. Broward County speed zone map, including location of CH and HTB survey sites.

62

Figure 3. Broward County speed zone map, including the location of the JL survey site.

63

Figure 4. Comparison of stationary (orange) and moving (yellow) vessels surveyed in the Hillsboro Inlet area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

64

Figure 5. Comparison of stationary (orange) and moving (yellow) vessels surveyed in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

65

Figure 6. Comparison of slow-moving (pink) and fast-moving (green) vessels surveyed in the Hillsboro Inlet area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

66

Figure 7. Comparison of slow-moving (pink) and fast-moving (green) vessels surveyed in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

67

Figure 8. Broward County waterway, partitioned into 40 – 1 mile radius areas.

68

Figure 9. Expanded view of northern portion of Broward County waterway, including Hillsboro Inlet and the Cypress Creek / Pompano Canal waterway, including calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

69

Figure 10. Expanded view of central portion of Broward County waterway, including the Middle River, New River, and Port Everglades, including calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

70

Figure 11. Expanded view of southern portion of Broward County waterway, including the Dania Cutoff Canal and southern portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, including calculations of mean #number of vessels in-use observed per square mile within each partition.

71

Figure 12. Relative abundance of boat traffic from weekday aerial survey data. Green circles indicate areas of relatively low activity, yellow areas indicate areas of relatively


72

Figure 13. Relative abundance of boat traffic from weekend aerial survey data. Green circles indicate areas of relatively low activity, yellow areas indicate areas of relatively


73

Figure 14. Comparison of commercial (green) and non-commercial (blue) vessels sighted in the Port Everglades area. All 16 regular surveys combined.

74

Figure 15. Distribution of vessels by size category; Colee Hammock survey site.

Colee Hammock Site (New River)

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

> 110'

65' - 109'

40' - 64'

26' - 39'

16' - 25'

12' - 15'

< 11'

# Observations

75

Figure 16. Distribution of vessels by size category; Hugh Taylor Birch survey site.

Hugh Taylor Birch Site (ICW)

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

> 110'

65' - 109'

40' - 64'

26' - 39'

16' - 25'

12' - 15'

< 11'

# Observations

76


John Lloyd Site (ICW & Dania Cutoff Canal)

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

> 110'

65' - 109'

40' - 64'

26' - 39'

16' - 25'

12' - 15'

< 11'

# Observations

77

Figure 18. Distribution of vessels by type category; Colee Hammock survey site.


0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Yacht / Cruiser

Ski / Sport

Open Fisherman

Other

Sailboat

Pontoon

Personal Watercraft

Scarab / Cigarette

Jonboat

Deckboat

# Observations

78

Figure 19. Distribution of vessels by type category; Hugh Taylor Birch survey site.


0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Yacht / Cruiser

Ski / Sport

Open Fisherman

Other

Sailboat

Pontoon

Personal Watercraft

Scarab / Cigarette

Jonboat

Deckboat

# Observations

79

Figure 20. Distribution of vessels by type category; John Lloyd survey site.


0 200 400 600 800 1000

Yacht / Cruiser

Ski / Sport

Open Fisherman

Other

Sailboat

Pontoon

Personal Watercraft

Scarab / Cigarette

Jonboat

Deckboat

# Observations

80

Figure 21. Distribution of vessel classes (private, commercial, enforcement, rental) at each fixed point survey site.


Private

Commercial

Enforcement

Rental


Private

Commercial

Enforcement

Rental


Private

Commercial

Enforcement

Rental

81

Figure 22. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Colee Hammock site during summer surveys.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Summer Surveys; Colee Hammock Site

82

Figure 23. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Colee Hammock site during winter surveys.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Winter Surveys; Colee Hammock Site

83

Figure 24. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Hugh Taylor Birch site during summer surveys.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Summer Surveys; Hugh Taylor Birch Site

84

Figure 25. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the Hugh Taylor Birch site during winter surveys.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Winter Surveys; Hugh Taylor Birch Site

85

Figure 26. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the John Lloyd site during summer surveys.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Summer Surveys; John Lloyd Site

86

Figure 27. Hourly comparisons of boat traffic volume at the John Lloyd site during winter surveys.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0900-0959 1000-1059 1100-1159 1300-1359 1400-1459 1500-1559

Time Interval

Mea

n #

Ves

sels

/ H

r

Weekday Weekend

Winter Surveys; John Lloyd Site

87

Figure 28. Levels of boater compliance observed at the Colee Hammock fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

Colee Hammock Site (CH)(New River)

Compliance



88

Figure 29. Levels of boater compliance observed at the John Lloyd fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

John Lloyd Site (JL)(ICW & Dania Cutoff Canal)

Compliance



89

Figure 30. Levels of boater compliance observed at the Hugh Taylor Birch fixed point survey site. All survey dates combined.

Hugh Taylor Birch Site (HTB) (ICW)

Compliance



90

Appendix A. Metadata for Broward County Aerial Surveys

NAME: 050704am DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 05/07/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1018 – 1113 hrs SURVEY TYPE: Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 97 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal and

New River due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 050704pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 05/07/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory,1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


91

SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1247 – 1338 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 142 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal and

New River due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 052204am DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 05/22/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory,1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 0949 – 1036 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 204 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal and

New River due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 052204pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 05/22/04 PRECISION: Single


92

PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1238 - 1327 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 384 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal and

New River due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 052904pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 05/29/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1247 - 1333 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: TBD TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0



93

FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Holiday weekend survey. Limited survey of upper portions of

the Dania Cutoff Canal due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic.


Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Kerri Scolardi FLIGHT TIME: 1018 - 1105 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 97 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal due

to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 062304pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 06/23/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany


94

SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Kerri Scolardi FLIGHT TIME: 1018 - 1105 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 128 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal due

to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale (FLL) air traffic. NAME: 082204am DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 08/22/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 0938 - 1026 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 191 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: No significant problems NAME: 082204pm



95

DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 08/22/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1231 - 1329 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 477 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey of upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal due

to air traffic conflicts with FLL. NAME: 102104am DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 10/21/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Kerri Scolardi FLIGHT TIME: 1046 - 1145 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method



96

ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 106 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: No video of seaward portion of Hillsboro Inlet and portions of

the New River, however observer states that no boats were present in these areas.

NAME: 102104pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 10/21/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Kerri Scolardi FLIGHT TIME: 1443 - 1536 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 123 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: No significant problems. NAME: 111304am DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 11/13/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany


97

SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1015 - 1110 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 178 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: No significant problems. NAME: 111304pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 11/13/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1323 - 1419 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 329 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: FLL Tower denied access to most inland portions of Broward

County during this survey. As a result, the following areas were not surveyed during this flight: the middle and upper portions of the Dania Cutoff Canal, the entire Stranahan and New River waterways, and all waterways east of the ICW and south of Port



98

Everglades. The entire length of the Intracoastal Waterway, Hillsboro Inlet, and Port Everglades were thoroughly surveyed. All inland waterways north of the New River were also surveyed normally.


Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1006 - 1056 SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 131 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Upper portion of Dania Cutoff Canal not surveyed – inaccessible

due to air traffic in proximity of FLL. NAME: 121104pm DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 12/11/04 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312


99

SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1246 – 1338 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 198 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Upper portion of Dania Cutoff Canal not surveyed – inaccessible

due to air traffic in proximity of FLL. Upper portion of South Fork (New River) not surveyed due to conflicts with FLL. Limited survey coverage of Middle River, Cypress Creek, and Pompano Canal waterways due to conflicts with Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport.


Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1015 – 1110 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 63 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey coverage of upper portion of Dania Cutoff Canal. NAME: 012405pm



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DESCRIPTION: Broward County Boat Traffic Aerial Survey FEATURE-TYPE: Point VINTAGE: 01/24/05 PRECISION: Single PROJECTION: Albers DATUM: HPGN (NAD83) OWNER: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote

Marine Laboratory SOURCE: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE CONTACT: Jay Gorzelany SOURCE ADDRESS: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 SOURCE PHONE: (941) 388-4441 SOURCE FAX: (941) 388-4312 SOURCE EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE SCALE: meters STATUS: verification in progress MAIN SURVEYOR: Jay Gorzelany FLIGHT TIME: 1309 - 1411 hrs SURVEY TYPE Single observer / videographer method ALTITUDE: 1000 ft (1500 ft in proximity to FLL) TOTAL BOATS: 79 TOTAL FLIGHTS: 1 INC. FLIGHT DATES: 0 FLIGHTS W/O BOATS: 0 ADD’L INFORMATION: Limited survey coverage of upper portions of Dania Cutoff

Canal and Middle River due to conflicts with both FLL and Lauderdale Executive Airport.


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Appendix B. Broward County aerial data dictionary BOAT ID: Identification code given to each individual vessel – BCA (Broward County

Aerials) MM(month) DD(day) TIME (time boat was sighted, multiple boats from same minute were given letters following the time, i.e. 1031a, 1031b, etc.)

DATE: Date of flight (MM/DD/YY) DAY: Day of the month (DD) on which the flight took place MONTH: Month the flight took place, in numerical form (i.e. July=7) YEAR: Year the flight took place, four digits. DAYNAME: M=Monday, TU=Tuesday, W=Wednesday, TH=Thursday, F=Friday, SA=Saturday, SU=Sunday WEEKEND: 0= Weekend day; 1= weekday WINDOW: Morning (AM) or Afternoon (PM) WEATHER: C=clear, PC=partly cloudy, MC=mostly cloudy, O=overcast, R=rain WINDDIR: Direction wind is coming from WINDSPD: Wind speed in knots: either 0-5, 5-10, or 10-15 ALTITUDE: Survey altitude (ft) or range, if altitude varied CONDITIONS: Overall boating conditions: E=Excellent, G=Good, F=Fair, P=Poor TIME: Time in hours and minutes that the vessel was sighted and recorded ZONE: Geographic region: ICN = ICW; northern county, inc. accessory canals ICC = ICW; central county, inc. accessory canals ICS = ICW; southern county, inc. accessory canals HIL = Hillsboro Inlet and adjacent waters CYP = Cypress Creek / Pompano Canal waterway STR = Stranahan River area, inc. accessory canals PTE = Port Everglades area NEW = New River, inc. accessory canals DCC = Dania Cutoff Canal MID = Middle River TYPE: Type of vessel - PS=personal watercraft, SP=small powerboat, LP=large

powerboat/yacht, SA=sailboat, OT=other SIZE: Size of vessel - 11 = less than 11 feet; 12 = 12-15’; 16 = 16-25’; 26 = 26-39’; 40 = 40-64’ 65 = 65-109’; 110 = more than 110 feet ACTIVITY: Activity of vessel at time sighted: T=travel, S=ski/pleasure, C=commercial,

A=anchor/drift/fishing, O=other SPEED: Qualitative speed of vessel: SL = Idle or slow speed, producing little or no wake; includes non-powered vessels (canoes, kayaks); PW= Plowing; intermediate speed, substantial displacement of water observed; CR = Cruising; applied to fast moving vessels with non-planing hulls, producing a significant wake; PL= Boat is up on a plane, producing a wake; US = Under sail

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