Coast Guard maintaining temporary regulated area for OC Air Show

With Ocean City gearing up for the air show, the Coast Guard is lending a hand to keep boaters safe.

The Coast Guard says they will be setting up a temporary regulated area each day from Thursday until Sunday. The regulated area, which runs from Talbot Street to 33rd Street, will be in effect from 10 AM to 5 PM those days. The space will extend out about 500 yards from the beach, and will be marked with yellow buoys.

Officials say that the buoys marking the boundary zone for Coast Guard safety and enforcement patrol operations, can be a visual reference for spectators setting up anchorage, but that spectators should be outside of the buffer area, at all times. Due to increases vehicular traffic in the area, Officials say the Harry W. Kelly Memorial Bridge over Isle of Wright Bay, will stay closed from 3:55 until 4:55 PM. The Coast Guard says mariners able to pass under the closed span may do so, but all others should adjust their transit accordingly, and use caution when transiting the area.

The Coast Guard says a patrol commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. They remind boaters that when hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given, because failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply or both. Spectators apparently can contact the patrol commander via VHF-FM channel 16 to request permission to operate within the regulated area but shall at all times remain outside the designated air show box. If permission is granted, spectators must proceed at a safe speed and without loitering.

 The Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of this area by federal, state and local agencies. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region at 410-576-2693 or use VHF-FM channel 16.