§ 165.T05-0915 Safety Zones; Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake Bay Entrance, VA.

(a) Location. The following areas are safety zones:

(1) Any waters located within 500 feet in all directions from the edge of South Thimble Island. South Thimble Island is located approximately 3.3 miles north of the shores of Virginia Beach on Highway 13, also known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT).

(2) Any waters located within 500 feet in all directions from the edge of North Thimble Island. North Thimble Island is located approximately 4.5 miles north of Virginia Beach on Highway 13.

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Sector Virginia (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zones. The term also includes an employee or contractor of Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV) for the sole purpose of designating and establishing safe transit corridors, to permit passage into or through the safety zones listed in paragraph (a) of this section, or to notify vessels and individuals that they have entered a safety zone and are required to depart immediately.

(c) Regulations.

(1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, no vessel or person may enter or remain in any safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP, or designated representative. If a vessel or person is notified by the COTP, or designated representative, that they have entered one of these safety zones without permission, they are required to immediately depart in a safe manner following the directions given.

(2) Mariners requesting to transit any of these safety zones must first contact the CTJV designated representatives, CTJV Marine General Superintendant by phone at 361–244–8852, CTJV Safety Director at 702–415–8600, or CTJV Construction Manager at 757–782–7741. CTJV will be monitoring VHF–FM channels 13 and 16 while work is ongoing. If permission is granted, mariners must proceed at their own risk and strictly observe any and all instructions provided by the COTP, or designated representative, to the mariner regarding the conditions of entry to and exit from any location within the fixed safety zones.

(d) Enforcement. The Sector Virginia COTP may enforce the regulations in this section and may be assisted by any Federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency.

(e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced until January 31, 2027, unless cancelled sooner by the COTP.

[USCG–2021–0915, 87 FR 52469, Aug. 26, 2022]