LOS ANGELES — The Captain of the Port will be enforcing a temporary safety zone in the vicinity of the SS Lane Victory, located in San Pedro on September 17, 2016.
Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 will be conducting a training exercise that will include high speed small boat maneuvers and simulated automatic weapon fire.
The safety zone will remain in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, and will encompass all navigable waters from the surface to the sea floor within a 500 yard radius in the vicinity of the SS Lane Victory.
The temporary safety zone will only be enforced during actual training operations occurring within the effective period. During the enforcement period, vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining within the temporary safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or her designated representative. Enforcement of the zone will be advertised via a broadcast notice to mariners.
Section 1232 of Title 33 U.S. Code (Ports and Waterways Safety Act) provides penalties for all persons in violation of this order:
Any person who is found by the Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to have violated this chapter or a regulation issued hereunder shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, not to exceed $88,613 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The amount of such civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary, or his designee by written notice. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, and history or prior offenses, ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require.
Any person who willfully and knowing violates this chapter or any regulation issued hereunder commits a class D felony.
Any vessel subject to the provisions of this chapter, which is used in violation of this chapter, or any regulations issued hereunder, shall be liable in rem any civil penalty assured pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and may be proceeded against the United States district court for any district in which such vessel may be found.
For more information, you may contact the Los Angeles-Long Beach command duty officer via VHF radio or at 310-521-3801.