BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard is scheduled to establish a temporary regulated area Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in designated waters of the Patapsco River for the Baltimore Air Show during Fleet Week.
The regulated area will be in effect each day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., which will limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users.
The regulated area will include all waters located between Port Covington and the Seagirt Marine Terminal. See Marine Safety and Security Bulletin 19-16 Update 2 for GPS coordinates.
Within the regulated area south of Fort McHenry, an air show box will be established. No vessels may enter the air show box while the regulated area is in effect. The air show box will be marked by several unlit, floating, white and orange regulatory markers along its boundary. In addition, three large inflatable floating markers will be established within the air show box to assist air show performers.
A designated spectator area for pre-approved commercial passenger vessels will be located north of and immediately adjacent to the marked air show box.
The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. 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, citation for failure to comply or both. Spectators may contact the Patrol Commander to request permission to operate within the regulated area but shall at all times remain outside the designated air show box: if permission is granted, spectators must proceed at a safe speed and without loitering.
The Coast Guard will be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of this area by federal, state and local agencies. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region at (410) 576-2674, or use marine-band radio via VHF-FM channel 16. Mariners are urged to monitor marine band radio channel 22A for updates to the regulated area.
The Coast Guard would also like to remind mariners of the presence of naval vessel protection zones around U.S naval vessels. When within 500 yards of a U.S. naval vessel, all vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course, unless required to maintain speed by the Navigation Rules, and shall proceed as directed by the Coast Guard, the senior naval officer present in command, or the official patrol. No vessel or person is allowed within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel unless authorized by the Coast Guard, the senior naval officer present in command, or official patrol.