Did you know that were over 600 manatee deaths last year (2019) and over 30% of those fatalities were caused by human collision (either from a boat or personal watercraft). For 2020 the mortality rate is already at 388.
What can you do?
Obviously, SLOW SPEED is the number one thing that can reduce the number of fatal collisions.
Think about the force of impact; speed x mass = force (in lbs.). The average Jet Ski weighs around 850 pounds; that doesn’t include the operator’s weight, fuel, extra gear, or extra passenger.
If you’re going 20 mph and strike a manatee the amount of force is closed to 30,000 pounds of force if the strike is full impact. When you are in a NO WAKE or SLOW SPEED restricted area your speed should be no more than 4 mph; that is almost 6,000 pounds of force with a head on collision.
Think about this!
Could you survive if someone swung a baseball bat at your head or body with 6,000 pounds of force? 6000 pounds of force is equal to a major leaguer hitting a 90-mph baseball.
The average Bay Boat weights approximately 6000 pounds and at 4-mph 24,000 pounds of force; and that’s at “No Wake Idle Speed” speeds.
How Can We Do Better?
According to FWC here are some things you can do:
Abide by the posted speed zone signs while in areas known to be used by manatees or when observations indicate manatees might be present.
Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare on the surface of the water, which will enable you to see manatees more easily.
Try to stay in deep-water channels whenever possible.
Avoid boating over sea-grass beds and shallow areas. Manatees are often found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and coastal areas.
Remain at least 50 feet away from a manatee when operating a powerboat.
Don't discard mono-filament line, hooks, or any other litter into the water. Manatees and other wildlife may ingest or become entangled in this debris and can become injured or even die.
Manatees can be hard to spot sometimes, but its not impossible. Recognizing a manatee in or underwater may include a swirl on the surface caused by the manatee when diving; seeing the manatee’s back, snout, tail, or flipper break the surface of the water.
What do you do if you see an injured manatee?
Call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) and press "7" to speak with an operator), #FWC or *FWC on cell a phone, or email Tip@MyFWC.com to report:
Accidental boat strikes to manatees
Pink/red (new) wounds
White/greyish (healing) wounds
Injured, distressed or dead manatees
Manatees tilting to one side (Report Immediately)
Orphaned baby manatees
Entangled, trapped or beached manatees
Harassment of manatees by people
Manatees caught in fishing gear
Tagged Manatees (Report Immediately)
What do you do if you strike a Manatee?
If you collide with a manatee you must report the incident to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Calling will not get you in trouble. Calling will ensure that the manatee is located and if possible, rehabilitated.
Simple observation of the animal can determine if the manatee is injured. Manatees can remain underwater for up to 20 minutes before breaking the water’s surface to breath. If a manatee is constantly surfacing (every 5-10 minutes) that is an indicator that the Manatee may be injured.
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