The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Miami has implemented a new regulated navigation area around Port Miami to address concerns about high-speed vessel operations. The new rule establishes a slow speed zone for vessels under 50 meters in length in Fisherman’s Channel and the Main Ship Channel. This means vessels must proceed at a speed that keeps them fully off plane, settled in the water, and not creating excessive wake. The rule will take effect on January 29, 2025, in response to incidents like a collision between a high-speed recreational vessel and a vehicle ferry in June 2023, which resulted in one fatality and disrupted cruise ship operations for over 12 hours.
The decision to create the slow speed zone was prompted by a growing number of near misses and accidents caused by high-speed vessels in the congested waterways near Port Miami. In addition to the fatal collision in June 2023, another incident occurred in February 2024 when a recreational vessel collided with a passenger vessel in Fisherman’s Channel, resulting in 13 injuries and one person in critical condition. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of life and disruptions to maritime traffic in the area.
The establishment of the regulated navigation area aims to prevent future accidents and disruptions caused by high-speed vessel operations in the waters surrounding Port Miami. By enforcing a slow speed zone for smaller vessels, the Coast Guard hopes to reduce the risk of collisions, injuries, and disruptions to maritime activities in the busy waterways. The new rule will be enforced starting in January 2025 to improve safety and mitigate the impact of high-speed vessel operations on the local maritime community.
