§ 2-32-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

(a)

Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and derivations shall have the meanings set forth herein:

Abandoned vessel shall mean a vessel that constitutes abandoned property within the meaning set forth in Florida Statutes Chapter 705, as amended, or its successor provision.

Area of regulated water activity shall mean an area of county waters, designated pursuant to article II, III or IV of this chapter, that warrants additional regulation in order to prevent injury or loss of life, or to prevent harm to private property or the natural environment.

Bather shall mean any person who is in the same body of water as a vessel, whether said person is swimming, wading or engaged in any other activity in the water.

County waters shall mean all public navigable waters, creeks, bayous, canals and channels, whether natural or manmade, located within Manatee County, and including Lake Manatee, small inland lakes, and all public waters within the jurisdiction of the county.

Historical recreational area shall mean an area designated pursuant to article IV of this chapter that has historically been used as an area for waterskiing and other water sports.

Idle speed or idle speed no wake may be used interchangeably and shall have the meaning set forth in Section 68D-23.103(2)(b) of the Florida Administrative Code, as amended, or its successor provision.

Intracoastal waterway shall mean that portion of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway (as defined in Florida Statutes Section 327.02(10)) located within the jurisdictional boundaries of Manatee County, Florida.

Lost vessel shall mean a vessel that constitutes lost property within the meaning set forth in Florida Statutes Chapter 705, as amended from time to time, or its successor provision.

Manatee shall mean the West Indian (Florida) manatee or sea cow, Trichechus manatus latirostris.

Manatee protection area shall mean an area of county waters, designated pursuant to article III of this chapter, that, according to best available scientific information, manatees inhabit on a regular basis.

Marked shall mean that official signage (denoting speed limits or other restrictions) has been placed in county waters or on the shore or on existing channel markers or structures.

Operate shall have the meaning set forth in Florida Statutes Section 327.02, as amended, or its successor provision.

Person shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association or other entity.

Personal watercraft shall have the meaning set forth in Florida Statutes Section 327.02, as amended, or its successor provision.

Regulated channel(s) shall mean those areas of county waters, designated pursuant to article II of this chapter, that traverse areas of regulated water activity that are otherwise designated as slow speed zones, but in which a vessel may be operated at speeds greater than slow speed in marked channels.

Regulated corridor shall mean an area of county waters, established pursuant to article II of this chapter, in or upon which channel markers and other aids to navigation cannot reasonably be installed and maintained due to frequent shifting of submerged lands and channels.

Sea grass shall mean the species Thalassia testudinum, Halodule Wrightii, Syringodium filiforme or Ruppia maritima.

Slow speed or slow speed minimum wake may be used interchangeably and shall have the meaning set forth in Section 68D-23.103(2)(b) of the Florida Administrative Code, as amended, or its successor provision.

Small inland lakes shall mean freshwater lakes of five (5) acres or less, which are essentially quiescent and essentially surrounded by land; this term includes, but is not limited to, retention ponds intended to mitigate stormwater drainage and runoff, as well as borrow pits, but does not include bodies of water, the bottoms of which are wholly owned by a single individual or private entity.

Special regulated water sports area or SRWSA shall mean an area of county waters designated pursuant to article IV of this chapter for water sports activity subject to certain special regulations.

Vessel shall have the meaning set forth in Florida Statutes Section 327.02, as amended, or its successor provision.

Watercourse map or watercourse maps shall mean one or more of the maps established pursuant to article V of this chapter.

(b)

Rules of construction. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number, and the words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directive.

(Ord. No. 08-68, § 3(Exh. A), 8-12-08)