The Coast Guard announced the new rule in a press statement, saying that no person or vessel, except a commercial fishing vessel actively engaged in fishing, may enter the security zone unless authorized by the designated on-scene representative.
Coast Guard Lt. Matthew York with the District 17 Department of Prevention said that for the most part, the escorts will be random.
“If there’s a known threat or something should happen, obviously there would be some sort of escort in place,” York said. “At this point though, there’s no rhyme or reason to it, we’ll be just be doing random escorts of both the cruise ships and the ferries.”
York said it is not yet known how often ferries or cruise ships would be under escort.
The Coast Guard says that the security zones are necessary to mitigate potential terrorist acts and enhance public and maritime safety and security.
York said that the exemption for fishing vessels is in effect only if they are actually hauling or setting gear, or otherwise engaged in a commercial fishing activity, as a courtesy to fishermen.
“We didn’t want to hinder anyone’s business,” he said.
The exemption does not apply to charter boats actively engaged in fishing.
Any vessel, including commercial fishing vessels, that are simply transiting the area, must stay out of the 100-yard security zone. If a vessel is anchored, however, it will be required to remain anchored until the ferry or cruise ship has passed.
York said there will not be any announcement on the radio that the vessel is under escort and the security zone is in place. However, vessels that need to enter the security zone can call the escort and try to arrange that.
“If they want to encroach upon the zone, for example if they feel they can’t go out of a narrow channel, then they can call the Coast Guard boat on (VHF) channel 16 or 13, and we’ll try to make arrangements to pass within the 100 yards of the cruise ship or the ferry,” York said. “Or they can just stay clear. But the Coast Guard will not initiate calls, so if they want to come within 100 yards, it will have to be initiated by the vessel itself.”
The Alaska state ferries Tustumena and Kennicott visit the port of Homer between three and four times per week on the Alaska Marine Highway system, traveling to and from Seldovia, Kodiak and the Aleutians.
Violations of the security zone could result in both civil and/or criminal penalties. The rule will remain in effect until terminated by the 17th Coast Guard District Commander.
Lt. York can be reached at (907) 463-2821.
Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978. She also designs and builds gear for the industry. She currently longlines for halibut and gillnets salmon in upper Cook Inlet aboard the F/V Realist. She can be reached at cristy-fry@excite.com.
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