Designated and Non-Designated ORMAs

ORMAs were developed to separate uses in high-traffic areas for safety reasons. Within an ORMA, there may be designated thrill craft riding areas where you can operate your vessel. In a non-designated ORMA, you may transit through these waters to a point 500 feet from shore or beyond the outer edge of the fringing reef and may freely operate your vessel seaward of that point. The only thing you would not be free to do in the undesignated State waters with your thrill craft is tow-in-surf and practice tow-in-surfing because there are designated areas for both activities and permit conditions that must be met if you would like to engage in this activity. Please remember that this course does not certify an individual to tow-in surf using a thrill craft.