05-6147. Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Severn River, College Creek, and Weems Creek, Annapolis, MD

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will be enforcing the special local regulations for the 26th Annual Safety at Sea Seminar, a marine event to be held April 2, 2005, 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:

The regulations at 33 CFR 100.518 will be enforced from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 2, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ronald Houck, Marine Events Coordinator, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21226-1971, and [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Squadron will sponsor the 26th Annual Safety at Sea Seminar on the waters of the Severn River, near the entrance to College Creek at Annapolis, Maryland from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 enforced 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 be in effect for a limited period, they should not result in a significant disruption of maritime traffic.

In addition to this notice, the maritime community will be provided extensive advance notification via the Local Notice to Mariners, and marine information broadcasts so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Dated: March 17, 2005.

Ben R. Thomason, III,

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