Coast Guard announces East River restrictions, closures for 2017 United Nations General Assembly

Coast Guard crewmembers are scheduled to enforce security zones on the East River near the United Nations Headquarters beginning Friday.

 

The security zones scheduled to begin Sept. 18 and end Sept. 23, include all waters of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge.

East River security zone restrictions:

Zone (1): This zone is always in effect. No Vessels within 175 yards of Manhattan between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge in the West Channel of the East River. Commercial vessels must check in with VTS New York (VTSNY) on VHF-FM CH 12 prior to entering the West Channel.

Zone (2): West channel closure: Sep 18- 23 (9:00 am-9:00 pm). No commercial or recreational traffic in the west channel of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/ 59th Street Bridge. NYC DEP sludge vessels will not be allowed to transit without 24-hour advance coordination with the Sector NY Enforcement Division.

Zone (3): Full river closure: Sep 18 - 21 (Times to be determined). No commercial or recreational traffic in the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge except commercial passenger vessels on the east channel with USCG PATCOM approval.

Wall Street Heliport: Sep 18 - 21 (Times to be determined). The potential exists for this security zone to be enforced in the mornings and evenings on the above dates. No vessel transits will be permitted within the security zone while it is in effect without the USCG PATCOM approval. The security zone includes all waters of the East River off the Wall Street Heliport within the following boundaries: East of a line drawn between approximate position 40°42’01”N, 074°00’39”W (east of The Battery) to 40°41’36”N, 074°00’52”W (NAD 1983) (point north of Governors Island) and north of a line drawn from the point north of Governors Island to the southwest corner of Pier 7, Brooklyn; and south of a line drawn between Wall Street, Manhattan, and the northwest corner of Pier 2, Brooklyn.

Roosevelt Island Bridge Openings

1. Vessels that require opening of the Roosevelt Island Bridge must contact the bridge tender at least 15 minutes in advance by phone at, (718) 545-2092 from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm or via VHF-FM CH 13.
2. Planning for this event is ongoing and specific times of the various security zone closures may change. Every effort will be made to keep mariners informed of all changes. The CG East River Patrol Command Vessel will be monitoring VHF-FM channel 16.
3. If unable to reach the East River Patrol Command Vessel contact VTSNY on VHF-FM channel 12 or at (718) 354-4088 for updates.
4. Violations of this security zone are punishable by a $50,000 fine, 5 years imprisonment, or both.

East River restrictions/closure times

Date                            Time                            Zone

Sep 15 (Fri)                 24 / 7                              1

Sep 16 (Sat)                24 / 7                              1

Sep 17 (Sun)               24 / 7                              1

Sep 18 (Mon)              9 a.m. to 9 p.m.              2 (Zone 3: Times to be determined)

Sep 19 (Tues)              9 a.m. to 9 p.m.              2 (Zone 3: Times to be determined)

Sep 20 (Wed)              9 a.m. to 9 p.m.              2 (Zone 3: Times to be determined)

Sep 21 (Thur)              9 a.m. to 9 p.m.              2 (Zone 3: Times to be determined)

Sep 22 (Fri)                 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.              2

Sep 23 (Sat)                24 / 7                              1

Sep 24 (Sun)               12 a.m. to 4 p.m.            1

NOTE: Mariners can expect full closure of the East River on Sept. 18, and Sept. 21, 2017 (Times to be determined).