03-6643. Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Severn River, College Creek, and Weems Creek, Annapolis, Maryland

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of implementation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is implementing the special local regulations for the 24th Annual Safety at Sea Seminar, a marine event to be held March 29, 2003, on the waters of the Severn River at Annapolis, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to control vessel traffic due to the confined nature of the waterway and expected vessel congestion during the event. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area for the safety of spectators and vessels transiting the event area.

DATES:

33 CFR 100.518 is effective from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 29, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

R.L. Houck, Marine Information Specialist, Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21226-1971, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron will sponsor the 24th Annual Safety at Sea Seminar on the waters of the Severn River, near the entrance to College Creek at Annapolis, Maryland. Waterborne activities will include exposure suit and life raft demonstrations, a pyrotechnics live-fire exercise, and a helicopter rescue. In order to ensure the safety of participants, spectators and transiting vessels, 33 CFR 100.518 will be in effect for the duration of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.518, vessels may not enter the regulated area without permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Spectator vessels may anchor outside the regulated area but may not block a navigable channel. Because these restrictions will only be in effect for a limited period, they should not result in a significant disruption of maritime traffic.

Dated: February 26, 2003.

John C. Acton,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.