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SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard will implement safety zones in San Francisco Bay for the Independence Day fireworks shows Thursday.
One safety zone will be located approximately 1,000 feet off of San Francisco Pier 39 and the other will be located near the San Francisco Municipal Pier at Aquatic Park. Each of these safety zones will apply to the navigable waters around and under the fireworks launch site within a radius of 1,000 feet from 9:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Thursday. The safety zone incorporates Aquatic Park. There is no waterside viewing within Aquatic Park.
The loading of pyrotechnics onto the fireworks barges is scheduled to take place at San Francisco Pier 50 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Coast Guard will prohibit persons or vessels from entering or remaining in the navigable waters around and under the fireworks barges within a radius of 100 feet during the loading of the fireworks barges, while the barges are being towed to the display location, and until the start of the fireworks displays.
Entry into or through any of these zones is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized entry may result in civil and, or criminal penalties, including fines of up to $40,000.
People who plan to watch the fireworks display from the water are reminded to wear proper fitting life jackets. In 2011, 84 percent of all fatal boating accident victims were not wearing a proper life jacket. Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is illegal in California. To increase the odds of a safe holiday for everyone, vessel operators should check that all safety gear is aboard their vessel before departing the pier and ensure they have a sober boat driver.
In the event of an emergency the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center can be reached on VHF-FM channel 16 or at 415-399-3547.
