Rhode Island State Pilotage Commission

Comments by the RI State Pilotage Commission on: RE: [Docket No. USCG–2011–1172] RIN 1625–AA00 Safety Zones; America’s Cup World Series, East Passage, Narragansett Bay, RI The Rhode Island Pilotage Commission is concerned about the closure of Narragansett Bay East Passage to commercial vessels for the conduct of yacht racing. History: Starting with the Quonset air show many years ago, the Quonset/Davisville channels were closed to commercial traffic for the afternoon for two days a year for the conduct of the air show. Next, Save the Bay requested the closure of the East Passage for the annual “Save the Bay” swim. This resulted with another closure to commercial shipping in Narragansett Bay. A few years later the yachting community requested, (and received) the closure of Narragansett Bay East Passage for the starting of the Bermuda Race. (For years this race started off Brenton Tower with no adverse impact on commercial shipping) Now the yachting community is asking for the closure of the Narragansett Bay East passage for an entire week from 1100hrs to 1700 hrs. The Pilot Commission is very concerned about the negative impact to the commercial shipping industry which is vital to the energy needs and water-borne commerce of Rhode Island. The trend is very much in the wrong direction for the shipping industry. The Pilot Commission feels that the Navigation Rules of the Road are designed to allow all vessels to jointly use the waters of the State in a safe and efficient manner. Yacht races should be conducted around the schedule of commercial shipping, not the opposite.