TAMPA, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard has recently published updated Tampa Bay Security Zones. Revisions have been made to the previously existing zones that were originally established in 2003.
Changes made were based on information gained by using the newly-developed Maritime Security Risk Analysis (MSRAM) tool utilized by the Tampa Bay Area Maritime Security Committee partners (AMSC). This comprehensive approach considered a multitude of factors impacting the maritime environment. The end result yielded recommendations to integrate this information into updated security zones.
Recently published is the MacDill Air Force Base security zone. It was published in the Federal Register Feb. 5, and coincides with the Army Corps of Engineers restricted area adjacent to MacDill Air Force Base. This security zone is effective immediately.
The Manbirtee Key security zone in Port Manatee was published in the Federal Register Jan. 22 and will become effective Feb. 21. Minor revisions were made to the other existing security zones in Tampa Bay.
A list of all the security zones include waters in and around Tampa Bay, Port of Tampa, Port of St. Petersburg, Rattlesnake, Old Port Tampa, Big Bend, Weedon Island, Crystal River, Manbirtee Key in Port Manatee and MacDill Air Force Base. The final rules for the security zones are available in the Federal Register and are codified as follows:
* Tampa Bay, Port of Tampa, Port of St. Petersburg, Rattlesnake, Old Port Tampa, Big Bend, Weedon Island, Crystal River [USCG-2007-0062]
* Manbirtee Key in Port Manatee- [USCG-2007-0061, formerly COTP St. Petersburg 07-226]
* MacDill Air Force Base- [USCG-2008-0013]
As per federal regulations within 33 CFR 165, entry into the security zones is prohibited without the permission of the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg. For details (including downloadable pamphlets illustrating the revised zones) please refer to the Sector St. Petersburg web site at http://homeport.uscg.mil/stpetersburg under the Port Directory menu tab.
Please click HERE for the security zone graphic.
