MIAMI – Coast Guard crews in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will be enforcing Naval Vessel Protection Zones around the USS Truman and other Navy ships in the area upon their arrival beginning Friday at 5:30 a.m. until 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.The USS Harry Truman will be anchoring two miles east of Port Everglades, Fla., for a port call.
Mariners are reminded that Coast Guard patrols will be enforcing a moving 500-yard NVPZ around each U.S. Navy ship. The 500-yard NVPZ states that no vessels are permitted within 100-yards of any naval ship. Vessel operation within 500-yards of the ships must slow to minimum speed (bare steerageway), monitor VHF channel 16 and proceed as directed by Coast Guard patrol craft on scene.
Violating the NVPZ is a federal felony and punishable by up to six years in prison, $250,000 in fines and vessel forfeiture. A civil penalty of $27,500 is also applicable.
A U.S. Naval vessel is any vessel owned, operated, chartered or leased by the U.S. Navy; and any vessel under the operational control of the U.S. Navy or a combatant command.
The establishment and enforcement of NVPZ is a function directly involved in and necessary to military operations and the safety and security of naval personnel.
These zones are necessary to provide for the safety and security of United States naval vessels in the navigable waters of the United States.