2023-16042. Security Zones; Seattle's Seafair Fleet Week Moving Vessels, Puget Sound, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notification of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce Seattle's Seafair Fleet Week Moving Vessels security zones from August 1 through August 7, 2023, to ensure the security of the vessels from sabotage or other subversive acts during Seafair Fleet Week Parade of Ships. Our regulation for marine events within the Thirteenth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Seattle, WA. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the security zones without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP), Puget Sound or his designated representative. The COTP has granted general permission for vessels to enter the outer 400 yards of the security zones as long as those vessels within the outer 400 yards of the security zones operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain course unless required to maintain speed by the navigation rules.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1333 will be enforced for the security zones identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for the dates and times specified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this notification of enforcement, call or email MST1 Steve Barnett, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the security zones for Seattle's Seafair Fleet Week Moving Vessels in 33 CFR 165.1333 for the regulated areas in the Elliott Bay from 11:30 a.m. on August 1, 2023, through 5 p.m. on August 7, 2023. This action is being taken to ensure the security of the vessels from sabotage or other subversive acts during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, § 165.1333, specifies the location of the regulated area in the Puget Sound around the participating vessels designated in this notice.

During the enforcement period, as reflected in § 165.1333, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the security zones without the permission of the COTP or a designated representative. The COTP may be assisted by other federal, state or local agencies with the enforcement of the security zones. For 2023, the following areas are § 165.1333 security zones: all navigable waters within 500 yards of USS JOHN S. McCAIN (CG–56), USCGC HENRY BLAKE (WLM–563), USCGC ROBERT WARD (WPC–1130), USCGC WAHOO (WPB–87345), HMCS YELLOWKNIFE (MM–706), HMCS EDMONTON (MM–703), HMCS NANAIMO (MM–702), while each such vessel is in the Sector Puget Sound COTP Zone.

The COTP has granted general permission for vessels to enter the outer 400 yards of the security zones as long as those vessels within the outer 400 yards of the security zones operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain course unless required to maintain speed by the navigation rules. All vessel operators who desire to enter the inner 100 yards of the security zones or transit the outer 400 yards at greater than minimum speed necessary to maintain course must obtain permission from the COTP or a designated representative by contacting the on-scene patrol craft on VHF Ch 13 or Ch 16. Requests must include the reason why movement within this area is necessary. Vessel operators granted permission to enter the security zones will be escorted by the on-scene patrol craft until they are outside of the security zones.

In addition to this notice of enforcement in the Federal Register , the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with advanced notification of the security zones via the Local Notice to Mariners and marine information broadcasts before the start of the event. In the event that there are changes to the participating vessels, due to operational requirements, the Coast Guard will provide actual notice for any additional designated participating vessels not covered in this notice.

Members of the public may contact Sector Puget Sound COTP at 206–217–6002 for an up-to-date list of designated participating vessels.

If the COTP determines that the security zones need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice of enforcement, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter all portions of the regulated areas.

Dated: July 24, 2023.

M.A. McDonnell,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound.