BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard is scheduled to establish a temporary regulated area Sunday near the Bay Bridge and Kent Island for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim.
The regulated area will be in effect from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users during this time.
The regulated area will include an area shore to shore 500 yards north and south of the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge (Route 50).
Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard patrol commander, event swimmers and official patrol vessels, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area without permission. The patrol commander and official patrol vessels enforcing this area can be contacted on marine radio VHF-FM channel 16.
The Coast Guard patrol commander can control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area and may forbid entry. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, a citation for failure to comply, or both. Spectators may contact the patrol commander to request permission to operate within the regulated area; if permission is granted, spectators must proceed at a safe speed and without loitering.
"We have coordinated closely with our interagency and port partners to minimize the impact of the regulated area," said Cmdr. Michael Keane, chief of response at Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region. "We do this while still meeting safety requirements for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim."
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to make proper preparations at all times while on the water, such as filing a float plan, wearing life jackets, and having a marine radio or other means of communication aboard. This is particularly important when operating in or around a large marine event such as the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. Boaters should expect a large number of vessels to be in this area and take extra precaution when transiting the area around the event. For any questions during the event, contact Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region at 410-576-2693, or use marine-band radio via VHF-FM channel 16.
Additional information on the event is available from the event sponsor at www.bayswim.com.