North Carolina, the southern most state in the 5th district, did experience a number of dislocated aids to navigation dues to the unusually icy conditions in the Waterway this past winter, as experienced by early spring migrators.

Coast Guard proposes to restrict winter Mid-Atlantic boat traffic
New restrictions for boating in icy waters are being proposed for the Mid-Atlantic. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is announcing in the Federal Register of Thursday, June 9, 2015 that it is proposing a Regulated Navigation Area that will allow it to restrict boat travel when water gets icy in the Fifth Coast Guard District. The district runs between Pennsylvania/New Jersey and North Carolina.

During most winters, the waters can become icy and hazardous to boats starting in late December or early January in the northern section; later in the south. Such conditions typically last until early or Mid-March. Under the proposal, port captains would notify the maritime community of travel restrictions via a variety of methods, including the Internet, broadcast and email. USCG will consider the type of boat when deciding whether to let it travel (horsepower, what the hull is made out of) as well as other traffic in the area, as ice can take a boat off course.

USCG has determined that the proposed rule would not create any major economic impacts because not too much fishing or recreational boating takes place at the affected time of year. It also anticipates that restricted periods would not last too long.

USCG has not scheduled a public meeting to discuss the proposal but will consider one if it gets requests. File your comments online by Oct. 7. Refer to Docket Number USCG-2014-0051. You can also hand-deliver or mail thoughts and suggestions to Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Av. SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001; (202) 366-9329. Or you can fax comments to (202) 493-2251.