Helpful Navigation Hints

• Mooring buoys are located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for use by boaters to keep from damaging coral with your anchors. Use caution when navigating near these shallow waters. Motoring across these shallow reefs could be dangerous to your boat and the reef itself.
  
  
• The Florida coast, with its long coral reef is marked with skeleton iron towers which mark the beginning of the reef. You will quickly see a color change in the water and possable breaking waves.
  
  
• Along the edge of sand and sea grass flats you will frequently see a change in the water surface texture often appearing glassy.
  
  
• Use caution and give clear distance when approaching reef tower lights, steel numbered I-beams markers, and numbered channel buoys as they are often only near the edge of the navigable water. Over time these areas may has filled in around the mark.
  
  
• Consult reference books such as "Piloting, Seamanship & Small Boat Handling" by Chapman for more information.