§ 334.200 Chesapeake Bay, Point Lookout to Cedar Point; aerial and surface firing range and target area, U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, danger zones.

(a) Aerial firing range —

(1) The danger zone. The waters of Chesapeake Bay within an area described as follows: Beginning at the easternmost extremity of Cedar Point; thence easterly to the southern tip of Barren Island; thence southeasterly to latitude 38°01′15″, longitude 76°05′33″; thence southwesterly to latitude 37°59′25″, longitude 76°10′54″; thence northwesterly to latitude 38°02′20″, longitude 76°17′26″; thence northerly to Point No Point Light; thence northwesterly to the shore at latitude 38°15′45″; thence northeasterly along the shore to the point of beginning. Aerial and surface firing and dropping of nonexplosive ordnance will be conducted throughout the year.

(2) The regulations.

(i) Through navigation of surface craft outside the target areas will be permitted at all times. Vessels shall proceed on their normal course and shall not delay their progress.

(ii) Prior to firing or ordnance drops, the range will be patrolled by naval surface craft or aircraft to warn watercraft likely to be endangered. Surface craft so employed will display a square red flag. Naval aircraft will use a method of warning consisting of repeated shallow dives in the area, following each dive by a sharp pullup.

(iii) Any watercraft under way or at anchor, upon being so warned, shall immediately vacate the area and shall remain outside the area until conclusion of firing practice.

(iv) Nothing in this section shall prevent the taking of shellfish or the setting of fishing structures within the range outside target areas in accordance with Federal and State regulations: Provided, That no permanent or temporary fishing structures or oyster ground markers shall be placed on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay between Point No Point and Cedar Point without prior written approval of the Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md.

(v) Naval authorities will not be responsible for damage caused by projectiles, bombs, missiles, or Naval or Coast Guard vessels to fishing structures or fishing equipment which may be located in the aerial firing range immediately adjacent to the target areas.

(b) Target areas —

(1) Prohibited area. A circular area with a radius of 1,000 yards having its center at latitude 38°13′00″, longitude 76°19′00″ identified as Hooper Target.

(2) The area. A circular area with a radius of 1000 yards having its center at latitude 38 degrees 02 minutes 18 seconds longitude 76 degrees 09 minutes 26 seconds identified as Hannibal Target.

(3) The regulations. Nonexplosive projectiles and bombs will be dropped at frequent intervals in the target areas. Hooper and Hannibal target areas shall be closed to navigation at all times, except for vessels engaged in operational and maintenance activities as directed by the Commanding Officer of the U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland. No person in the waters, vessel, or other craft shall enter or remain in the closed area or climb on targets except on prior written approval of the Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland.

(c) Enforcement. The regulations in this section shall be enforced by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland and such agencies as he or she may designate.

[31 FR 13648, Oct. 22, 1966, as amended at 48 FR 54598, Dec. 6, 1983. Redesignated at 50 FR 42696, Oct. 22, 1985, as amended at 64 FR 18581, Apr. 15, 1999]