Coast Guard proposes shipping safety fairways on Atlantic coast

(WASHINGTON) — On Jan. 19, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a system of shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast. This NPRM is posted to USCG-2019-0279 and is open for public comment through April 18.

The rulemaking proposes 18 fairways providing space for safe, unobstructed vessel traffic along the Eastern Seaboard from Florida to Massachusetts. There are also proposed changes to the traffic separation schemes and one fairway anchorage off the Delaware Bay. Several precautionary areas have been changed or added as well in the approaches to the major ports ensuring navigation safety within the U.S. Marine Transportation System.

Interested parties are encouraged to review the content of the NPRM and provide comment. Public comments should be posted to the docket. If there are questions on this process, contact the Office of Navigation Systems at CGNAV@uscg.mil, attention Maureen Kallgren.

A programmatic environmental impact statement is being completed in support of this rulemaking. The Coast Guard seeks public input on possible environmental impacts of this proposal. Public meetings are scheduled and further information on dates, times and registration information can be found at USCG-2023-0928.

– Coast Guard Maritime Commons

By Professional Mariner Staff