§ 165.T01-153 - Regulated Navigation Area: Long Island Sound Marine Inspection and Captain of the Port Zone.

(a) Regulated navigation area location. All waters of the Long Island Sound Marine Inspection and Captain of the Port Zone, as delineated in 33 CFR 3.05-35, extending seaward to a line 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline, are established as a regulated navigation area (RNA).

(b) Applicability. This section applies to all vessels operating within the RNA, except the following:

(1) Recreational vessels;

(2) Vessels operating exclusively within the Marine Inspection and Captain of the Port Zone;

(3) Vessels on a single voyage which depart from and return to the same port or place within the RNA;

(4) U.S. flagged public vessels; and

(5) Primary towing vessels engaged in towing tank barges carrying petroleum oil in bulk as cargo and issuing the securite calls required under 33 CFR 165.100(d)(2).

(c) Effective dates. This section is effective from December 15, 2001, through August 15, 2003.

(d) Regulations. (1) Speed restrictions in vicinity of Naval Submarine Base New London and Lower Thames River. Vessels of 300 gross tons or more may not proceed at a speed over eight knots in the Thames River from New London Harbor channel buoys 7 and 8 (Light List numbers 21875 and 21880 respectively) north through the upper limit of the Naval Submarine Base New London Restricted Area, as specified in 33 CFR 334.75(a). All vessels less than 300 gross tons are exempt from this rule. This speed restriction does not apply to public vessels as defined in 33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(4). The U.S. Navy and other Federal, State and municipal agencies may assist the U.S. Coast Guard in the enforcement of this rule.

(2) All inbound vessels operating within the RNA must be inspected to the satisfaction of the United States Coast Guard and must obtain authorization from the Captain of the Port before crossing the line three nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline.

(3) Vessels awaiting inspection or Captain of the Port authorization to enter within the three nautical mile line will be directed to anchor in a specific location within the Regulated Navigation Area.

(4) Vessels over 1,600 gross tons operating in the RNA within the line extending seaward three nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline must receive authorization from the Captain of the Port prior to any vessel movements.