Boating Regulations In Place
May 22, 2008
Boating Regulations In Place During Tall Ships® Tacoma Festival
TACOMA, May 22, 2008 – The U.S. Coast Guard is issuing boating regulations that will be in effect during the Tall Ships® Tacoma Festival to ensure safety during the maritime event. These regulations will limit when and where boaters can operate or anchor their boats, and apply to the Foss Waterway, Commencement Bay along Ruston Way, and Quartermaster Harbor.
Generally, from June 30 to July 7, there will be a 50-yard moving safety zone around every tall ship while underway in Puget Sound. No unauthorized vessels may enter that safety zone.
At all times while the tall ships are sailing in Commencement Bay they will be escorted by volunteer security boats. Boaters who intrude into the designated safety zones will be advised of the requirement to remain clear. If intruding boats do not comply, their description and registration number will be provided to law enforcement or the U.S. Coast Guard to enforce the regulation.
In addition, specific regulations affect the following:
Quartermaster Harbor. There will be a safety zone in Quartermaster Harbor from 7 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m. on July 3 as the tall ships prepare to depart for the Parade of Sail. No boats will be allowed to transit Quartermaster Harbor during this time without permission from the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound.
This safety zone begins at a line crossing the harbor entrance approximately at Manzanita Point near the red navigation aid number “2” and extends to the north end of the harbor. Boats attempting to enter the harbor during this time will be turned away.
To contact the Captain of the Port before July 3, boaters should call the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Seattle at (206) 217-6001. Once the safety zone goes into effect, boaters should contact the U.S. Coast Guard or any law enforcement vessel in the vicinity on VHF Channel 16 or Channel 22A.
Ruston Way. There will be a safety zone along Ruston Way from 7 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m. on July 3 during the Parade of Sail. The safety zone includes all water from the Tacoma Yacht Club southeast for four nautical miles along Ruston Way to the entrance of the Foss Waterway and out 400 yards from shore for the entire length. U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard auxiliary, U.S. Army Reserve, Tacoma Police Department and Tall Ships® Tacoma event security boats will mark the safety zone boundaries. During this time, no unauthorized boats of any size or propulsion will be allowed to enter, be underway, be anchored, or be tied to any log boom or buoy within the safety zone. A boat may remain tied to a permanent moorage or dock within the zone but may not depart that moorage while the safety zone is in effect.
Boaters who plan to tie to a log boom or anchor in the vicinity of the Freedom Fair air show and fireworks display on July 4 should be aware of the new safety regulation in effect on July 3.
A Tacoma Fire Boat will lead the Parade of Sail and is expected to put on a water spray demonstration that will extend 50 yards to the port and starboard of the vessel. Spectator boats are advised to stay at least 50 yards away from the vessels in the parade.
Foss Waterway. The tall ships will be moored in the Foss Waterway from July 3-7. Spectator boats are welcome to use the waterway to view the ships but should remain at least 50 feet from any vessel. Marina tenants will be allowed to depart or return to their slips. Tall Ships® Tacoma event security boats will patrol the waterway and remind boaters of safety clearances.
There will be significant boat traffic in the Foss Waterway during the festival and the moving safety zones will be in effect around every event ship. All boaters should exercise care when transiting the waterway and travel at no-wake speeds.
Periodically, festival security boats may need to stop boat traffic in the Foss Waterway while one of the tall ships is maneuvering into its berth. These interruptions will be of short duration and are necessary for the safety of all boats and persons.
Sailing Adventures. Many of the tall ships will depart the Foss Waterway each day for sailing adventures in Commencement Bay. During these sailing adventures, spectator boats must remain at least 50 yards away from the vessels. Volunteer boats will escort the vessels during their sails to maintain the safety zone.
Tall Ships® Tacoma 2008 will be held July 3-7 along the Foss Waterway. More than 30 historic sailing vessels - including the USCG Eagle, HMS Bounty, the Niña and The Lady Washington – have signed up for the event.
For more information about the boating regulations, contact Bob Watson, Tall Ships® Tacoma director of Public Safety, at (253) 272-5650.
State Farm presents Tall Ships® Tacoma 2008 will be held July 3-7, 2008 … for more information, visit www.tallshipstacoma.com.
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