NEW YORK–The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey is establishing Naval Protection Zones and Safety Zones on the Upper New York Bay and Hudson River for the 2010 New York Fleet Week.
The potential exists for unanticipated delays affecting ship movements and/or the control of vessels with little or no warning within the Port of New York and New Jersey from Wednesday, May 26, through Wednesday, June 2, 2010.
“We want to encourage boaters to enjoy the Parade of Ships during Fleet Week, but are urging everyone to be safe and respect the established safety and security zones while on the water,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ed Munoz, Coast Guard Sector New York Chief of Waterways Management.
The following are general restrictions for the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay during the May 26 parade of ships and throughout Fleet Week:
- During the May 26 Parade of Ships, all vessel traffic in the Hudson River shall transit to the west of the parade column while naval vessels are in transit on the Hudson River. All vessels shall operate at the minimum safe speed necessary to maintain course and shall proceed as directed when within the 500 yard safety/security zone. The Coast Guard Cutter Abbie Burgess will be managing the overall Parade of Ships security for participants. Additional details regarding the Naval and Coast Guard vessels involved in the Parade of Ships can be found here: http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork.
- Commercial passenger vessels on established ferry routes and other vessels will be permitted to cross ahead or between naval vessels while they are in parade formation at a 250 yard distance with Patrol Commander permission.
- Following the passage of the last naval vessel in formation all transits shall be coordinated with Vessel Traffic Service New York (VTS NY.)
- All traffic shall not enter within 200 yards of any moored U.S. naval vessel.
- No vessels are authorized within the restricted area around the Stapleton Homeport Pier on Staten Island from 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 25 through 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 02, 2010.
- No vessels are authorized within 250 yards of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on the Hudson River between the south east corner of Pier 86 and the northeast corner of Pier 92, from 4 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 02, 2010.
- There is a scheduled 11-gun salute from the USS Iwo Jima near Fort Hamilton at 8:24 a.m. and a rendering of honors at the World Trade Center site at 9:09 a.m. Wednesday.
- The Federal Anchorage 19 (Hudson River), Federal Anchorage 23 Bravo (Stapleton section 3) and Federal Anchorage 25 (Gravesend Bay) will be closed to commercial vessels starting at 4 a.m. Wednesday. The Federal Anchorage 19 (Hudson River) and Federal Anchorage 25 (Gravesend Bay) are scheduled to reopen following the parade of ships and mooring of vessels at Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
- Federal Anchorage 23 Bravo, section 3 (immediately adjacent to the Staten Island Homeport Pier) will remain closed during Fleet Week until the last naval vessel has departed.
- Ambrose Channel will be closed to outbound traffic from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and closed to inbound traffic from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday May 26, 2010.
Entry into or movement within these zones is prohibited without the authorization of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on-scene representative. Persons violating this regulation are subject to a penalty of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than five years.
For the most up to date information on current restrictions please contact the VTS NY at (718) 354-4088.
To view a chart of the Stapleton Homeport Pier restricted areas click here.
To view a chart of the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal restricted areas click here.
Additional waterway information is available at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork.
