NAVNOTICE# 1998 - IL - CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL

To: ALL MARINERS
From: MSO Chicago
Date: 12/5/09
Subject: IL - CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL - SAFETY / SECURITY ZONE UPDATE
NAVNOTICE # 1998

Below is the updated broadcast notice to mariners for Fish Barrier safety zone.

IL - CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL - SAFETY / SECURITY ZONE UPDATE

1. THE COAST GUARD IS ENFORCING A SAFETY AND SECURITY ZONE ON THE CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL TO RESTRICT THE PASSAGE OF ALL RECREATIONAL VESSELS BETWEEN MILE MARKER 288.6 AND MILE MARKER 297.7 AND ALL COMMERCIAL VESSELS BETWEEN MILE MARKER 288.6 AND MILE MARKER 293.5.

2. THE SAFETY AND SECURITY ZONE WAS ESTABLISHED IN SUPPORT OF ONGOING OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS' ELECTRICAL DISPERSAL BARRIER. THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONDUCTED A FISH KILL AND SPECIMEN RECOVERY OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY IN THE CANAL.

3. THE COAST GUARD CAUTIONS MARINERS THAT THE WATER INSIDE THE BARRIER IS ELECTRIFIED, AND CONTACT WITH THIS WATER COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IF A PERSON OR OBJECT FALLS OVERBOARD INTO THE ELECTRIFIED WATER, MARINERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT RECOVERY UNTIL THE PERSON OR OBJECT IS 450 FEET SOUTH OF THE EAST ROMEO ROAD BRIDGE. PERSONNEL SHOULD AVOID CONTACT WITH ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE VESSEL'S HULL INCLUDING THE CANAL WALLS AND OTHER VESSELS, EITHER DIRECTLY OR WITH AN INSTRUMENT SUCH AS A PADDLE OR A BOAT HOOK.

4. TOWING VESSELS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS BEFORE TRANSITING THE ELECTRICAL DISPERSAL BARRIER.

A) VESSELS LESS THAN TWENTY FEET IN LENGTH ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TRANSIT THE SAFETY ZONE.
B) ALL TOW VESSELS AND BARGES MUST USE STEEL WIRE ROPE, NO ALTERNATE LINE ALLOWED.
C) ALL PERSONNEL MUST REMAIN INSIDE A DECKHOUSE OR SUPERSTRUCTURE DURING THE TRANSIT.
D) TOWS CONSISTING OF BARGES CARRYING FLAMMABLE LIQUID CARGOS (GRADE A THROUGH C, FLASH POINT BELOW 140 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, OR HEATED TO WITHIN 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OF FLASH POINT) MUST ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A BOW BOAT AT ALL TIMES DURING THE TRANSIT FROM MILE MARKERS 296 TO 296.7.

5. VESSELS MAY NOT MOOR OR LAY UP IN THE SAFETY ZONE UNLESS PREPARING TO, OR ENGAGING IN, LOADING OR UNLOADING OPERATIONS. ANY VESSEL NOT ENGAGED IN LOADING OR UNLOADING OPERATIONS MUST ASK FOR PERMISSION FROM THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT TO REMAIN IN THE SAFETY ZONE.

6. VESSELS PLANNING TO TRANSIT THE ELECTRICAL DISPERSAL BARRIER SAFETY ZONE MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING: ALL PERSONNEL SHOULD REMAIN INSIDE THE CABIN, OR AS INBOARD AS PRACTICAL. ALTERNATIVELY, PERSONNEL ON RECREATIONAL VESSELS MUST WEAR A COAST GUARD APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE UNDER 33 CFR PART 175 WHILE IN THE SAFETY ZONE AND REMAIN AS INBOARD AS POSSIBLE. FURTHERMORE, ALL VESSELS MUST NOT MEET, PASS OR OVERTAKE ANOTHER VESSEL WHILE IN THE BARRIER AND MUST MAKE A SECURITE CALL WHEN APPROACHING THE BARRIER TO COORDINATE PASSING ARRANGEMENTS ON EITHER SIDE.

7. ALL VESSELS MUST COMPLY WITH THESE AND ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORTS'S REPRESENTATIVE. VIOLATION OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IS PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY OF $32,500 FOR EACH VIOLATION. A WILLFUL VIOLATION MAY ALSO CONSTITUTE COMMISSION OF A CLASS D FELONY. A CLASS D FELONY IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NO MORE THAN $250,000 AND OR IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 6 YEARS.

8. IF YOU HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY ZONE, CONTACT THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT'S ON SCENE REPRESENTATIVE ON VHF-FM CH16 OR COAST GUARD SECTOR LAKE MICHIGAN COMMAND CENTER AT (414)747-7182. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DISPERSAL BARRIER, CONTACT THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER AT (312) 846-5330.