BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard is scheduled to establish a temporary security zone Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 in designated waters of the Potomac River for the U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit.
The security zone may limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users in the Washington Channel and Tidal Basin.
The security zone includes all navigable waters of the Potomac River from shoreline to shoreline in the Washington Channel, bounded on the south by the I-395 fixed bridges (Southwest Freeway and Francis Case Memorial Bridge) and bounded on the west by the Georgetown Channel entrance to the Tidal Basin.
Entering or operating in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the captain of the port of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. Vessels already at berth, mooring or anchorage at the time the zone is implemented are not required to depart the security zone.
"Recognizing the temporary zone will affect mariners on the Potomac River, we have coordinated closely with our inter-agency and port partners to minimize impact," said Lt. Michael McGrail, a member of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. "We do this while still meeting security requirements for the U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit."
Anyone who desires to transit the security zone must first obtain authorization from the captain of the port or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, mariners must call 410-576-2693 or use marine-band radio via VHF-FM channel 16.