Dredge Boat Working in the Nanticoke River

     Sharptown, Md. -- The Dredge LEXINGTON will be conducting dredging operations in the Nanticoke River in the vicinity ofNanticoke River Channel Light 61 (LLNR 24315) and Nanticoke River Channel Daybeacon 70 (LLNR 24350 from 05 January until 25 February, 2013. The dredge will monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations.  Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment.
     Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment.
     Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must be remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels. Chart: 12261.

Dates Announced for Fall Annapolis Yacht Club Regattas

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the 2012 Annapolis Yacht Club’s Regattas (15 sail racing events) are scheduled to occur on the Chesapeake Bay, most held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the following dates: October 20-21 and October 27-28; and November 3 and November 17-18. The races will occur near the mouth of the Severn River, between the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridges and Bloody Point (Kent Island), Maryland. For additional information, interested persons may link to individual events by contacting the AYC Regatta Management website at www.race.annapolisyc.org. Chart 12270.

Corn and Cantaloupe Sailing Regatta Today on the Lafayette

     Norfolk, Va. -- Mariners are advised that the Norfolk Yacht and County Club will host its Corn and Cantaloupe Sailing Regatta today beginning at noon and ending at 4 p.m.

     The event will begin and end at the mouth of the Lafayette River and will round Newport News Middle Ground Light.

     Mariners are requested to use caution and bare steerage when transiting the area.

Governor's Cup Yacht Race Scheduled for August 3-4

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Governor’s Cup Yacht Race” is scheduled to occur during August 3-4, 2012, with up to 150 participating sailboats (24 to 75 ft in length) competing on two courses planned for the annual overnight sail race. The 70-mile distance race on the Chesapeake Bay will start near the mouth of the Severn River at Annapolis, Maryland between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, and finish in the St. Mary’s River at St. Mary’s City, Maryland by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

     A 47-mile distance race on the Potomac River will start near Dahlgren, Virginia at 6 p.m. on Friday and also finish in the St. Mary’s River at St. Mary’s City, Maryland by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

     Additional information can be obtained from the Sailing Association on the St. Mary's College of Maryland website at www.smcm.edu/govcup.

     For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts 12280, 12285.

Swimmers Take to the Water Saturday in Chestertown

     Chestertown, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Dragonfly Heart Triathlon” is scheduled to occur in the Chester River on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Approximately 300 swimmers will compete on a designated course marked with inflatable buoys located near Wilmer Park at Chestertown, Maryland. Participants will be supported by sponsor-provided watercraft. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12272.

Annapolis Yacht Club Regattas Begin July 6

     Annapolis, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the 2012 Annapolis Yacht Club’s Regattas (15 sail racing events) are scheduled to occur on the Chesapeake Bay, most held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the following dates: July 6-8 and July 21; September 29-30; October 6, October 13-14, October 20-21 and October 27-28; and November 3 and November 17-18. The races will occur near the mouth of the Severn River, between the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridges and Bloody Point (Kent Island), Maryland. For additional information, interested persons may link to individual events by contacting the AYC Regatta Management website at www.race.annapolisyc.org. Chart 12270.

Fishing Bay Yacht Club Leukemia Cup Race July 7-8

     Deltaville, Va. -- Mariners are advised that the Fishing Bay Yacht Club's Leukemia Cup Sailboat Regatta will occur in the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Piankatank River. The event will take place from July 7 through July 8 beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.

     Mariners are requested to use caution and bare steerage when transiting the area.

Lighthouse and Hyatt Will Team Up For Dedication Event Sept. 22

     Cambridge, Md. -- Through a new partnership, the Choptank River Lighthouse Society and the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort are teaming up to host a dedication ceremony for the lighthouse on Sept. 22.

     To mark its 10th anniversary, the four-diamond resort is playing a key role in celebrating the newest addition to the city’s waterfront—the Choptank River Lighthouse. The lighthouse society has expressed its appreciation to the Hyatt, which will provide all the food and set-up for a ticketed dedication ceremony on Sept. 22, with all proceeds going back to the lighthouse maintenance fund. 

     The replica of the Choptank River Lighthouse will be officially dedicated during a ceremony and reception on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Long Wharf in Cambridge. The general public is invited to gather at Long Wharf Park or on the water to watch the official lighting of the lighthouse at dusk.

     Anyone who buys a ticket to the Lighthouse Grand Opening Reception will enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner provided by the Hyatt, the official dedication ceremony, tours of the lighthouse, and the auction of an original painting by George Wright.

     The grand opening ticketed event starts at 4 p.m. for tours and 5 p.m. for the reception. The tax-deductible tickets cost $65 per person or $35 per person for current lighthouse donors. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward construction and maintenance costs of the lighthouse.

     To buy tickets, call the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce at 410-228-3575 or Wright's Art & Framing at 410-228-7977. For updates, visit www.choptankriverlighthouse.org or the Choptank River Lighthouse Facebook page.

1.3-Mile 'Swim Across the Potomac River' Scheduled for July 8

     Alexandria, Va. -- Mariners are advised that the “Swim Across the Potomac River” is scheduled to occur in the Potomac River on Sunday, July 8, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Approximately 250 participants will swim across the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland on a 1.3-mile linear course located downriver of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge.

     The start is located along the shore at North Point at Jones Point Park and the finish is located along the shore at National Harbor Marina. A portion of the swim course will cross the federal navigation channel. The Coast Guard has established a regulated area for all waters of the Potomac River, within lines connecting the following positions: from 38°47’35” N, longitude 077°02’22” W, thence to latitude 38°47’12” N, longitude 077°00’57” W, and from latitude 38°47’24” N, longitude 077°03’03” W to latitude 38°46’54” N, longitude 077°01’09” W.

     The regulated area will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 8, 2012. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Potomac River. 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 VHFFM channel 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. The swimmers will be supported by sponsorprovided watercraft. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12289.

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Sassafras River Jam

     Georgetown, Md. -- The Sassafras River Association's 3rd annual Sassafest River Jam is being held on Sunday, July 8 12pm- 5pm at Georgetown Yacht Basin. This year's event is shaping up to be full of entertainment with performances by Driven Women, The Blueskeepers, and Chester River Runoff! The day will begin with the annual Wade-In, and there'll be more chances to have fun in the water with the dingy poker run and kayak race. A raffle is planned for a Paddleboard.

     Local food and drink will be sold by Kitty Knight House. A variety of exhibitors -- Mt. Harmon Plantation, ELF, Betterton Fishing Ark, and more -- ill have booths full of fun activities and information. Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Scales and Tales exhibit featuring live animals is also back again this year.

     More details about sign ups for the dingy poker run and kayak race will be coming soon on SRA's website. Check www.sassafrasriver.org for more details.

     Volunteers are needed throughout the day for setup, take down, and everything in between. Contact Susan Warriner at 609-731-3733 or sr91@hotmail.com to sign up.

EagleMan Triathlon June 10 on the Choptank River in Cambridge

     Cambridge, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the swim portion of the EnduraFit Ironman 70.3 EagleMan triathlon is scheduled to occur in the Choptank River on Sunday, June 10, from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approximately 2,500 participants will start in waves and swim along a marked, 1.2-mile rectangular-looped course, to and from designated locations between Hambrooks Bar and the shore at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge, Maryland.

     Participants will be accompanied and supported by sponsor-provided watercraft. Official patrol personnel on scene can be contacted via marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12266.

Swim and Triathlon May 5 on the Nanticoke River

     Bivalve, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual “Nanticoke River Swim & Triathlon” will be held on the Nanticoke River on Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open water event includes approximately 500 participants swimming on a 3-mile and 1.8-mile triangular courses, and a triathlon sprint course along the north jetty at the Cedar Hill Marina in Bivalve, Maryland.

     As described in Title 33 CFR Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area for all waters of the Nanticoke River, including Bivalve Channel and Bivalve Harbor, bounded by a line drawn from a point on the shoreline at latitude 38°18′00″ N, longitude 075°54′00″ W, thence westerly to latitude 38°18′00″ N, longitude 075°55′00″ W, thence northerly to latitude 38°20′00″ N, longitude 075°53′48″ W, thence easterly to latitude 38°19′42″ N, longitude 075°52′54″ W.

     The regulated area will be enforced from 9 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on May 5.. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain waters of the Nanticoke River, including Bivalve Channel and Bivalve Harbor. 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 VHF-FM channel 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 portion of the waterway beyond the enforcement times. 

     For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12230.

Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks on the Potomac this Saturday

     Washington, D.C. -- Mariners are reminded that the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival fireworks display is scheduled to occur in Washington Channel on Saturday, April 7,  (rain date April 8), at 8:30 p.m. A safety zone will be established upon the waters of the Upper Potomac River, within a 150-yard radius of the fireworks barge located in approximate position latitude 38° 52’ 09” N, longitude 077° 01’ 13” W, located within the Washington Channel in Washington, DC. The fireworks barge within the regulated area will have a diamond-shaped, 4 feet by 4 feet sign with orange retro-reflective border affixed to the port and starboard sides of the barge labeled ‘‘FIREWORKS—DANGER—STAY AWAY’’ with black block letters on a white background to provide on scene notice that the safety zone will be enforced. The zone will be enforced from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.