Cape Coral woman says speeding boats are destroying her dock

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—A Cape Coral resident says speeding boats in a no-wake zone are damaging her dock and creating safety concerns.

Jean Clement lives along a waterway off Southeast First Place, where boats are required to maintain no-wake speeds. She says daily waves from speeding vessels are compromising the structural integrity of her dock.

"I can literally feel the wakes rocking my dock," Clement said.

Clement believes the constant waves are affecting more than just the surface. She says the vibrations are loosening the pilings that support her dock.

"It's got to be messing with the integrity of the seawall and the integrity of everything else that's attached," Clement said.

When asked how she knew the damage was occurring, Clement demonstrated by shaking one of the pilings with minimal effort. She says at least three pilings have been shaken loose from the docking, and parts of the structure have already fallen.

"Right now, I would say it's not safe to walk on, because we have had some of it fall," Clement said.

Clement says that without enforcement, the no-wake zone sign is ineffective. She is considering taking the issue to the city council to push for action.

The city's public affairs office says marine units patrol the waterways. Officials warn that speeding in no-wake zones can damage property, create hazardous wake, and put lives at risk.

Clement says the same wake damaging her dock could also endanger wildlife and other water users. Manatees, dolphins, paddleboarders, canoeists, and kayakers all share the waterway.

"We're fortunate to have manatee and dolphins, but they're also paddle boarders, there are canoes, there are kayaks, there are little people with their parents out there on small water craft, so it could be a safety issue all around," Clement said.