Our Mission:
The mission of the Miami Harbor Safety Committee is to provide a proactive, inclusive, and open forum for all waterway stakeholders within Greater Miami — linking government, industry, recreation, and the public — to identify, assess, communicate, and collaboratively address issues affecting the safety, efficiency, security, mobility, and environmental protection of the Port of Miami, the Miami River, and Biscayne Bay.
How we get it done:
- Provide a forum for identifying and addressing operational and environmental safety issues on Greater Miami waterways
- Share safety information and best practices with all waterway users
- Develop voluntary standards and guidelines for improved operational and environmental safety
- Coordinate marine safety measures with applicable security initiatives
- Serve as a resource to government bodies on marine safety and environmental issues
- Lead education efforts against illegal bareboat charter operations
- Serve as a communication bridge to prevent conflicts among commercial, passenger, recreational, and human-powered vessel traffic
Our Waterways
The MHSC's area of responsibility covers the navigable waterways within the USCG Sector Miami Captain of the Port Zone, with primary focus on:
- **Port of Miami (PortMiami)** — entrance channel, turning basins, and berthing areas
- **Miami River** — from its mouth at Biscayne Bay to the limits of navigable waters inland
- **Biscayne Bay** — including Government Cut, Fisher Island Channel, and adjacent navigable waters
- Connecting waterways and anchorages affecting vessel traffic in the above areas
A Partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard
The MHSC is established in alignment with USCG Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-25 and COMDTINST 16010.9A. USCG Sector Miami participates as a non-voting advisory member, and the Committee is not a regulatory or enforcement body — its role is educational, advisory, and coordinative.
The MHSC has no enforcement authority and does not operate its own reporting intake; it directs the public to official channels.