Rowing Regatta in the Northwest Harbor this Saturday

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual “Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge” rowing regatta is scheduled to occur in the Northwest Harbor on June 23, 2012 (rain date June 24, 2012). Approximately 500 participants in 12-person paddling teams will race in vessels 42 feet in length on a designated course with 4 marked lanes located off Tide Point, between the American Sugar Refining wharf and North Locust Point Marine Terminal Pier 8 in Baltimore, Maryland.

     Course markers will be set from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., with racing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and course markers will be removed from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. As described in the Table to Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, in Baltimore, Maryland, from shoreline to shoreline, within an area bounded on the east by a line drawn along longitude 076°35’ W and bounded on the west by a line drawn along longitude 076°36’ W. This area will be enforced from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on June 23, 2012, and in the case of inclement weather, this marine event may be postponed and the regulated area enforced from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 24, 2012.

     The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio channel VHF-FM 16 or 22A. 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.

     Comments or questions should be directed to Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division by telephone at (410) 576-2674 or e-mail Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12281.