Offshoreonly.com - McDonald’s Air and Sea Show

As you know, the McDonald’s Air and Sea Show is this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 4th, 5th, and 6th. The Coast Guard is concerned about recreational boaters coming too close to Naval vessels and coral reefs; therefore, they have issued the following announcement. Please note and communicate to family members, friends, neighbors and any other individuals you know who plan to attend the show by boat.

NOTICE TO MARINERS

McDonald’s Air and Sea Show

Spectator Safety Zone (no entry)

A four nautical mile long by 4000 foot wide regulated area has been established to protect spectator craft during the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show. The regulated area includes all waters of the Atlantic Ocean west of a line drawn from 26° 10.32’N, 080° 05.9’W to 26° 08.24’N, 080° 05.38’W to 26° 06.36’N, 080° 05.58’W.

Coral Reef Conservation Zones (anchorage areas)

In order to protect the coral reefs in the area, mariners are required to anchor between the yellow and white buoy lines seen in the chart above, between the first and second reef tracts. The yellow buoy line runs north from 26° 07.83’N, 080° 5.35’W to 26° 10.32’N, 080° 05.09’W. The white buoy line runs north from 26° 07.83’N, 080° 05.26’W to 26° 10.12’N, 080° 04.92’W. If mariners cannot safely anchor in the primary anchorage area defined between the yellow and white buoy lines, they are required to drop anchor east of the orange buoys. The orange buoy line runs north from 26° 07.83’N, 080° 04.99’W to 26° 10.31’N, 080° 04.78’W east of the second reef tract. These anchoring restrictions are in place to protect sensitive coral reef habitat and marine life. By Florida law, it is illegal to damage Florida’s delicate coral reefs, such as those found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off Broward County. When anchoring east of the orange buoy line, use navigational charts to locate the reefs, and be aware of the extreme damage an anchor can cause to fragile coral beneath your vessel. Read your navigational charts to avoid reef tracts, and anchor in the sand or tie up to mooring buoys where available. It is against the law and harmful to marine life to dispose of trash or other debris in the water. Be sure to pump out your sewage only at marina pump-out stations and dispose of trash in designated areas on shore.

Naval Vessel Exclusionary Zone (no entry)

Additionally, a Naval Vessel Exclusionary Zone will be in effect when U. S. Navy ships are present. A Naval Vessel Exclusionary Zone (NVPZ) is a 500 yard regulated area of water surrounding U.S. naval vessels greater than 100 feet in length. This regulated area is active at all times regardless of the status of the U.S. naval vessel (i.e., underway or moored). When within a Naval Vessel Exclusionary Zone, all vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course. No vessels are permitted within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel without permission of the Coast Guard or the senior naval officer present in command. All boaters, with the exception of event participant vessels, are prohibited from entering the regulated areas without expressed permission of the Coast Guard. Violators subject to penalty. Civil Penalty = $32,500 for each violation. Criminal Penalty = Up to 10 Years/$250,000.

The regulated areas are effective during the following times:

· Friday, 04 May 2007 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
· Saturday, 05 May 2007 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
· Sunday, 06 May 2007 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Naval Vessel Exclusionary Zone:

Regulatory Authority: 33CFR § 165.2025, Protection of Naval Vessels; published in Federal Register at 69 FR 16151

Statutory Authority: 14 U.S.C. § 91

Penalty Provisions: 33 U.S.C. § 123 (Ports and Waterways Safety Act)