US Coast Guard New Rules to Fight Terrorism Announced

US Coast Guard Press Release ^ | May 28, 2002 | US Coast Guard Vice Adm. James D. Hull

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – This year’s boating season will be markedly different than summers past, Coast Guard officials are warning recreational boaters this week.

New rules and regulations have been put in place by the Coast Guard nationwide since Sept. 11, all in an effort to help ensure the safety and security of ports, waterways, maritime facilities and U.S. Naval ships.

On June 15, a temporary Coast Guard regulation to protect U.S. Navy ships, that was put into effect Sept. 14, as a result of the attacks, will become permanent, creating a standing safety perimeter around all large U.S. Navy ships anchored, moored or operating in U.S. waters.

“These Naval Vessel Protection Zones (NVPZ) help protect our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines fighting the war on terrorism by effectively creating a no-float zone around U.S. Navy ships,” said Vice Adm. James D. Hull, Atlantic Area Commander. “Nothing the Coast Guard does now in the war on terrorism is more important than protecting our Navy ships and safeguarding our ports.”

The new Naval Vessel Protection Zone, along with dozens of security zones placed around power plants, marine facilities, cruise ships and hazardous cargo vessels across the nation, are designed to reduce vulnerabilities and increase security as part of the Coast Guard’s largest port security operation since WWII.

Today’s announcement comes at the conclusion of National Safe Boating Week, an annual national campaign aimed at reducing the numbers of boating fatalities each year. Nationwide in 2000, there were 7,740 accidents resulting in 701 fatalities, 4,355 injuries and nearly 35 million dollars in damage, according to the Coast Guard’s Boating Statistics 2000, the 42nd annual report.

“Being safe on the water this summer takes on a whole new meaning,” Hull said. “Being safe on the water this summer means complying with new security zone restrictions, reporting suspicious activity on the water and taking care not to become a search and rescue case, which may draw us away from our homeland security duties.”

Violating a Naval Vessel Protection Zone is punishable as a class D felony, which can result in a prison term of up to six years and a $250,000 fine.

DETAILS EXCERPTED FROM THE PERMANENT REGULATION

• A U.S. naval vessel is any vessel owned, operated, chartered, or leased by the U.S. Navy; any pre-commissioned vessel under construction for the U.S. Navy, once launched into the water; and any vessel under the operational control of the U.S. Navy or a Combatant Command. As a result, the establishment and enforcement of NVPZs is a function directly involved in and necessary to military operations and the safety and security of naval commanders and personnel.
• All vessels within 500 yards of any large U.S. naval vessel (greater than 100 feet) must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course and proceed as directed by the Navy or Coast Guard patrol enforcing the zone.
• Vessels are not allowed within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel, unless authorized by the Coast Guard or Navy official enforcing the zone.
• Vessels requesting to pass within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel must first contact the official patrol on VHF-FM channel 16 to obtain permission.
• Under some circumstances, the official patrol may permit vessels that can only operate safely in a navigable channel to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules

To further assist the public, the Coast Guard established a Maritime Safety Line, 1-800-682-1796, which is now available to provide both commercial and recreational mariners with the latest, up-to-date information on local waterways and ports openings, closures and restrictions along the eastern seaboard, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico. This information is also available online at: http://www.uscg.mil/safeports/

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

On any given day, the men and women of the Coast Guard:

• Conduct 109 search-and-rescue missions.
• Assist 192 people in distress.
• Seize 169 pounds of marijuana.
• Nab 306 pounds of cocaine.
Most important, the Coast Guard saves lives.
"Ten or 12 people today will go home to dinner with their family
only because the Coast Guard got them out of trouble,"
said Adm. James Loy, commandant of the Coast Guard.
Now that's a respectable day's work.

All from a service of only 35,000 people, fewer than the New York Police Department.


We Need You -- In the wake of the recent attacks on the United States, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be called upon to provide essential services to the Coast Guard as they focus more heavily on their military missions.  We will need all the help we can get.  You needn't own a boat or even be an experienced boater, since our missions are wide-ranging.  For information about existing Auxiliary missions and the Auxiliary in general, go to our Join the Auxiliary webpage.  You will find there a form through which you can ask that a local Auxiliarist make contact with you to explore the ways in which you can assist Team Coast Guard
and, in the process, do something for our country in its hour of need.
Age 17 and up (no upper age restrictions) Click Here for details.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PING

[Carry_Okie]

I can think of a number of narrow channels where these regulations make no sense and could be dangerous if enforced.

[JRandomFreeper]

Violating a Naval Vessel Protection Zone is punishable as a class D felony, which can result in a prison term of up to six years and a $250,000 fine.

I don't understand this part Tonk. Shouldn't there just be a greasy spot on the water where the violater once was?

/john

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I can think of a number of narrow channels where these regulations make no sense and could be dangerous if enforced."

There is an e-mail link, in the linked article, if you want to voice your concern to the Coast Guard.
They have a reputation of working with boaters in all matters of safety.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Under some circumstances, the official patrol may permit vessels that can only operate safely in a navigable channel to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules "

[csvset]

Dang, does this mean babes on passing pleasure craft will no longer be able to offer "two gun salutes" to sailors?

[HairOfTheDog]

Coastie Ping!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Dang, does this mean babes on passing pleasure craft will no longer be able to offer "two gun salutes" to sailors?"

I think that would fall under supporting the morale of the military, rather than terrorism. LOL!!!

[Carry_Okie]

Since when does the Department of Commerce have the Constitutional power to prevent free passage of American citizens on the waters of the United States? That is a War Power. Do we have a declared war? Bush's speech doesn't count.

I can think of a number of navigable channels less than 100 yards wide. Consider the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. A Navy ship at Todd's floating drydock could shut it down. Then there's the Napa River near Mare Island.

The Navy should be in charge of patrolling around their vessels. With container ships arriving and unloading totally uninspected, with those containers having full access to the North American continent, I think we have higher priorities for the Coast Guard than to harass American boaters (no, I don't have a boat), and I CERTAINLY don't think walking on the Constitution is necessary to protect American Naval vessels.

This is just about as dumb as the Federal Deputies inspecting old ladies at airports. Somebody should tell Mineta to unplug his butt and open his eyes. Better yet, he should be fired.

[Carry_Okie]

On June 15, a temporary Coast Guard regulation to protect U.S. Navy ships, that was put into effect Sept. 14, as a result of the attacks, will become permanent, creating a standing safety perimeter around all large U.S. Navy ships anchored, moored or operating in U.S. waters.

Another thing, does the Commerce Department have the Constitutional power to ENACT LAWS controlling the use of the navigable waters of the United States? Again, that should be Congress.

[codebreaker]

What about private yachts coming into the country without identification?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I can think of a number of narrow channels where these regulations make no sense and could be dangerous if enforced.

Like Mayport Florida, San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale, and any number of port entrance areas that are very narrow.

[Semper911]

Since when does the Department of Commerce have the Constitutional power to prevent free passage of American citizens on the waters of the United States? That is a War Power.

What does the Department of Commerce have to do with anything? The US Coast Guard falls under the Department of Transportation, and is a federal law enforcement agency. In addition to search and rescue, they enforce the United States Code during peacetime. During wartime, they become a part of the US Navy.

Back off of my fellow Coasties.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Like Mayport Florida, San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale, and any number of port entrance areas that are very narrow."

From Press release above
"Under some circumstances, the official patrol may permit vessels that can only operate safely in a navigable channel to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules"

[DoughtyOne]

A U.S. naval vessel is any vessel owned, operated, chartered, or leased by the U.S. Navy; any pre-commissioned vessel under construction for the U.S. Navy, once launched into the water; and any vessel under the operational control of the U.S. Navy or a Combatant Command. As a result, the establishment and enforcement of NVPZs is a function directly involved in and necessary to military operations and the safety and security of naval commanders and personnel.

It sounds to me like a person could be rather confused as to what boat was under Naval Control, leased by it etc.  This could lead to mistaken perceptions that the Average Joe Boater was a terrorist, and the resultant actions take completely unnecessary.  Sounds like a terrible over-reaction waiting to happen.

Oh I forgot.  Afterwards they can say something like, "This is one contingency that none of the experts thought of before 00/00???"

While I see some need for beefed up security, this sounds like some not very well thought out plans.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Semper Paratus