Officials: Plan Ahead Before Boating During Labor Day Weekend

MIAMI (CBS4)-  Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and officials want to remind boaters to call and plan ahead to avoid further disappointments.

Come Friday, it will be one of the most popular times for boating, as most long holiday weekends are, and high demand can easily translate into long lines, long waits and lack of parking, hampering plans for a fun day out on the water.

To help boaters avoid unexpected obstacles that can derail holiday boating plans, the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department urges boaters to contact its marinas for updates on important information before heading out to launch, including:

• Best times to launch in order to avoid delays

• Updates on traffic and parking conditions

• Availability and affordability of short-term wet slips for the holiday weekend

Miami-Dade Park & Recreation marina said their staff is always on-hand to help facilitate smooth and successful boat launches and recoveries, but boaters should be aware that large holiday crowds at peak times can mean limited parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers.  Calling ahead and advance planning will make a boater's experience more enjoyable and successful, officials said.

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Boaters should contact their marinas within the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation system. These include:

Crandon Park Marina

4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne

(305) 361-1281

Bill Bird Marina, Haulover Park

10800 Collins Ave., Miami

(305) 947-3525

Herbert Hoover Marina

Homestead Bayfront Park

9698 SW 328 St., Homestead

(305) 230-3033

Pelican Harbor Marina

1275 NE 79^th St., Miami

(305) 754-9330

Black Point Marina

24775 SW 87^th Ave., Miami

(305) 258-4092

Matheson Hammock Marina

9610 Old Cutler Rd., Miami

(305) 665-5475

For more information, visit Miami-Dade Parks' web site at www.miamidade.gov/parks.