WCPD Marine Unit and other Special Operations Division assets will be deployed into New York Harbor starting tomorrow to support security efforts during the massive Sail4th 250 celebration. We’ll be working alongside federal, state and regional law enforcement partners to help keep participants and spectators safe.

The highlight of the multi-day event will feature a July 4 parade of tall ships, a fleet of anchored allied and U.S. naval vessels, and 15,000 sailors from 32 countries. The parade of ships will transit the waterways from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, through New York Harbor, past the State of Liberty and up the Hudson River to north of the George Washington Bridge.

The WCPD Marine Unit is advising recreational boaters, including operators of personal watercraft, to become aware of the significant restrictions that will be on place on the waterways in NYC through July 8.

Some highlights:

• Event regulations/restrictions are in effect from now through 11:59 p.m. July 8. The regulated areas begin north of the George Washington Bridge (area of Spuyten Duyvil) and down past the Verrazzano-Narrows, and also cover the East River up to the Throggs Neck Bridge (where it meets the Long Island Sound)
• Personal Watercraft (PWC): The use of PWC (e.g., jet skis) is prohibited).
• Safe Speed: All vessels must transit at a slow no-wake speed when operating within established spectator areas and within 100 yards of tall ships, U.S. naval vessels, foreign naval vessels, and law enforcement vessels anchored or moored.  
•  Security Zones - Moving and Fixed: Strict security zones will be established around participating vessels through July 9. Naval Vessel Protection Zones are enforced at all times within U.S. waters.
• Naval Vessel Protection Zones: Any vessel or person operating within 500-yards of a U.S. Naval Vessel shall navigate at a minimum speed necessary to maintain course. No vessel or person may approach within 100-yards as cited in 33 CFR 165.2025. We stress this because most recreational boaters are unfamiliar with finding US Navy Vessels in our area.
• Tall Ships: No vessel or person may approach within 50 yards of any designated Tall Ship.
• Foreign Naval Vessels: No vessel or person may approach within 100 yards of any foreign naval vessel.
• Enforcement: These security zones will be strictly enforced when occupied by U.S. or foreign naval vessels at anchor. The Coast Guard will announce which specific zones are active via Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) on VHF-FM Channel 16. All boaters need to monitor their marine radios.
• Anyone who intends to watch the tall ship parade or the International Aerial Review (IAR) must be IN the designated spectator areas NO LATER THAN 0600 hours on July 4. Boaters must plan accordingly to ensure that they have sufficient transit to time reach and enter the spectator areas prior to 6 a.m.