NEW YORK – The Coast Guard will continue to enforce security zones on the East River, with an additional full river closure expected for Wednesday, Sept. 22, due to the U.N. General Assembly meeting this week.
The East River closures include all waters of the East River from East 35th St. to 59th St. Queensboro Bridge. Full closure of this section of the East River can be expected for portions of Sept. 22, 23 and 24.
Zone 1: is a permanent security zone that has been in place since Sept. 11, 2001. It restricts vessel traffic within 175 yards of Manhattan in the West Channel of the East River. Commercial vessels must check-in with Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service New York on VHF channel 12 prior to entering the West Channel.
Zone 2: No commercial or recreational vessel traffic is permitted in the West Channel of the East River from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sludge vessels, which need a 24-hour advance notice to transit.
Zone 3: No commercial or recreational traffic is permitted in the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro-59th Street Bridge Sept. 22, 2010 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 23, from 4 p.m.-5:45 p.m. and Sept. 24, between 3:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. – except commercial passenger vessels with Coast Guard zone commander approval.
Additionally, a security zone will be enforced in the waters surrounding the Wall Street Heliport Wednesday Sept. 22, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., which will close the area to all vessel traffic. The security zone is as follows: the northern boundary is from Pier 7 in Manhattan to Pier 2 in Brooklyn and the southern boundary is between Pier 7 in Brooklyn to north of Governors Island and straight across to just east of the Battery Park in Manhattan.
The Coast Guard zone commander will be monitoring VHF channels 13 and 16.
Violations of these security zones are punishable by a $50,000 fine, 5 years imprisonment or both.
Vessels that require opening of the Roosevelt Island Bridge must contact the bridge tender at least15 minutes in advance by phone at (732) 311-6705, (718) 361-9217 or via VHF-FM CH 13.
Specific times of the various security zone closures may change. Every effort will be made to keep mariners informed of all changes. Contact Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services on VHF channel 12, or at (718) 354-4088 for updates.
