Safety Zone; Coast Guard Exercise Area, Hood Canal, Washington

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce regulations for safety zones surrounding vessels involved in Coast Guard training exercises in Hood Canal, WA, from August 1, 2021, through August 14, 2021. This enforcement is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public and vessels near these training exercises. During the enforcement period, entry into the safety zones is prohibited, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or their Designated Representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1339 will be enforced from 8 a.m. on August 1, 2021, through 5 p.m. on August 14, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this notice of enforcement, call or email Chief Warrant Officer William Martinez, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 206-217-6051, email SectorPugetSoundWWM@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zones around vessels involved in Coast Guard training exercises in Hood Canal, WA, set forth in 33 CFR 165.1339, from 8 a.m. on August 1, 2021, through 5 p.m. on August 14, 2021. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1339, no person or vessel may enter or remain within 500 yards of any vessel involved in Coast Guard training exercises while such vessel is transiting Hood Canal, WA, between Foul Weather Bluff and the entrance to Dabob Bay, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or their Designated Representative. In addition, the regulation requires all vessel operators seeking to enter any of the zones during the enforcement period to first obtain permission. You may seek permission by contacting the on-scene patrol commander on VHF channel 13 or 16, or the Sector Puget Sound Joint Harbor Operations Center at 206-217-6001.

You will be able to identify participating vessels as those flying the Coast Guard Ensign. The Captain of the Port may also be assisted in the enforcement of the zone by other Federal, state, or local agencies. The Captain of the Port will issue a general permission to enter the safety zones if the training exercise is completed before 5 p.m. on August 14, 2021. In addition to this notice of enforcement in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard plans to provide notification of this enforcement period via a Local Notice to Mariners.