There are a few big events in the coming two weeks on the Bay and the Potomac, including Fireworks displays (this early in the season?).
There are 2 sets of Fireworks displays planned for the head of the Bay at Susquehanna and Upper Potomac River – Washington Channel: May 4th and April 6th, respectively. Additionally, there are a couple of events near the US Naval Academy, too. Scroll down to read the details for these 4 events.
These and many more updates can be found in monthly updates from the USCG. If you’ve never seen (or are not subscribed to) the USCG 5th District monthly report, you’ll find it to be both extensive, yet informative. The monthly PDFs contain a LOT of information ranging from issues with Aids to Navigation to Events in the district (see the sample subset below by State from the most recent report).
In these updates, you’ll see specific information on the locations, times, and restrictions at/around these events. The Aids to Navigation updates include near-time updates on anything/everything that may be missing from your charts. Be sure to read them if you plan on cruising by via boat!
This months report has a LOT more than the 4 sample items I’ve provided above. You can follow the link above to read the complete current issue.
You can subscribe to receive these reports via email each month.
======= SUBSET of Report emailed 26Mar19 ==================
SUMMARY OF MARINE EVENTS AND FIREWORKS DISPLAYS IN THE FIFTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT
MD – CHESAPEAKE BAY – SEVERN RIVER – REGULATED AREA
The U.S. Naval Academy will sponsor its annual Safety-at-Sea Seminar on the Severn River adjacent to the U. S. Naval Academy on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from Noon until 1:30 p.m. The event includes on-water activities and rescue/survival demonstrations involving small boats and other vessels, a low-flying helicopter and pyrotechnics. As described in 33 CFR Section 100.501, a regulated area is established for all waters of the Severn River, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the northwest by the Naval Academy (SR-450) Bridge and bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from Triton Light (LLN-19780) at latitude 38°58′53.0″ N, longitude 076°28′34.4″ W thence easterly to Carr Point, MD at latitude 38°58′58.7″ N, longitude 076°27′38.9″ W. The regulated area will be enforced from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 30, 2019. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander or designated marine event patrol may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. The marine event patrol and Patrol Commander may be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the
directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. Mariners are urged to schedule their transits on this waterway beyond the enforcement times. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.
Charts 12282, 12283
MD – CHESAPEAKE BAY – SEVERN RIVER – ROWING COMPETITION
An annual U.S. Naval Academy intercollegiate rowing competition is scheduled to occur on the Severn River at Annapolis, MD on Saturday, April 6, 2019, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Up to 100 participants (in 64-foot long rowing shells) will race in heats along a 2,000-meter marked rowing course is located between Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945) and the entrance to College Creek; an alternate course, if necessary, is located between Severn River Light 2A (LLN-19950) and Severn River Light 2 (LLN-19945). Mariners are urged to use caution and remain alert for other watercraft when transiting the area, proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course that minimizes wake while operating near the race course, and heed the directions of official patrol vessels, which can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region at (410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.
Charts 12282, 12283
MD – CHESAPEAKE BAY – HEAD OF CHESAPEAKE BAY – SUSQUEHANNA RIVER – FIREWORKS DISPLAY
An aerial fireworks display is scheduled to occur on the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, MD on May 4, 2019 at approximately 9:00 p.m. Mariners are urged to use caution when transiting the area, reminded to heed the directions of patrolling law enforcement and public safety officials present, and absent specific guidance, should remain 420 feet from the fireworks barge located approximately 300 yards southeast of Concord Point, in approximate position latitude 39º32’19.0″ N., longitude 076º04’58.3″ W. Comments or questions should be directed to Coast Guard Sector MarylandNational Capital Region, Waterways Management Division, at telephone number (410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.
Chart 12274
DC – UPPER POTOMAC RIVER – WASHINGTON CHANNEL – FIREWORKS DISPLAY – SAFETY ZONE
The annual “National Cherry Blossom Festival” fireworks display is scheduled to occur in Washington Channel on Saturday,
April 6, 2019 (rain date April 7, 2019), at 8:30 p.m. As described in 33 CFR § 165.T05-1011, the Coast Guard will establish a temporary safety zone upon the waters of the Washington Channel within 200 feet of the fireworks barge located within an area bounded on the south by latitude 38°52′30″ W, and bounded on the north by the southern extent of the Francis Case (I-395) Memorial Bridge, located at Washington, DC. Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of 33 CFR 165, you may not enter the safety zone described in this paragraph unless authorized by the Captain of the Port U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) or the COTP’s designated representative. All vessels underway within this safety zone at the time it is activated are to depart the zone. To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP’s designated representative by telephone at 410–576–2693 or on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP’s designated representative. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local agencies. This safety zone will be enforced from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 6, 2019, and if necessary due to inclement
weather, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 7, 2019. The fireworks barge will display a “FIREWORKS—DANGER—STAY AWAY” sign on the port and starboard sides while it is on-scene. Comments or questions should be directed to Coast Guard Sector Maryland-NCR, Waterways Management
Division, at telephone number (410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.
Chart 12289