U.S. Navy, Coast Guard Reach Out to Mariners to Improve Boater Education

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Mary Popejoy, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard leaders met with local mariners who own or operate a marina in the vicinity of Little Creek and Fishermans Cove, Va., to discuss naval vessel protection zones, Feb. 10.

The meeting focused on naval vessel protection zones, and how they can work together to increase safety and security, and improve recreational boater education and awareness.

The Coast Guard and Navy recently conducted a review of operations in the Little Creek inlet as a result of routine interactions between recreational boaters and Navy warships transiting the inlet channel.

The review revealed there are significant benefits and opportunities to continuously improve and further develop a strong partnership with the recreational boating community to reduce small vessel risk.

"To prevent a Cole-style attack we need to be able to detect the small vessel threat," said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Jerry Barnes, chief, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Prevention Department. "Naval vessel protection zones assist us in that endeavor, which is why we do education and outreach initiatives that focus on naval vessel protection zones. In the Little Creek channel, compliance with the naval vessel protection zone means a boater must exit the channel when a Navy warship is approaching."

According to 14 United States Code 91, vessels within 500 yards of a U.S. naval vessel must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain safe course and proceed as directed by the official patrol, and are not allowed within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel. These zones are necessary to provide for the safety and security of the U.S. naval vessels in the navigable waters of the U.S.

"By maintaining these required distances, the military can focus on other elements that may pose a threat to our military vessels," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Brunner, commander, U.S. Second Fleet anti-terrorism officer. "If we're all on the same page, the mariners can enjoy their time on the water and the military can transit without any issues."

In addition to maintaining a safe distance away from military vessels, those in attendance discussed ways to increase outreach effectiveness such as renewing the focus on vessel-to-vessel communication via the Very High Frequency radio, loud hailer, ship whistle, etc.; shore-to-vessel communication through the use of prominently displayed signs; and leveraging existing partnerships to include the local Area Maritime Security Committee, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Power Squadron and local yacht clubs.

"The USCG marina owners/operators also made several suggestions to improve the outreach program by including an offer to post a number of informational signs at the boat ramps and access way to their boat slips, to keep the message current with the boaters," said Brunner.

As the local Coast Guard and Navy leaders and mariners who own or operate a marina in the vicinity of Little Creek and Fishermans Cove, Va., partner together to improve boater education and outreach initiatives of naval vessel protection zones, the overall goal is to ensure safe travels on the waterways.

"They have a central role in homeland security, and their ideas and input can help us strike the right balance between personal freedom, national security, recreation and commerce," said Barnes. "At the end of the day, we want the local mariners to enjoy their time on the water, but we also want them to keep in mind the requirements in place for military vessels."