BALTIMORE -- The Coast Guard is securing the waters around the D.C. area for the inauguration.
A temporary security zone will be effective Jan. 14 through Jan. 25 and will restrict commercial and recreational navigation of waterways.
The zone includes the Potomac River from the Francis Scott Key Bridge to two miles south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and continues west on the Virginia shore to Jones Point Light and east on the Maryland shore, including the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin.
Also included in the zone is the Anacostia River from the New York Avenue Bridge to the Potomac River.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The Coast Guard said it has approved water taxi service from Virginia to D.C. on Inauguration Day. The Inaugural Water Taxi will be provided by the Potomac Riverboat Co., for $90 roundtrip or $50 one way. The taxi will depart from the Alexandria City Marina at Union and Cameron streets in Old Town Alexandria and arrive at the Southwest Waterfront's Pier 4, at 600 Water St. in D.C. Officials said passengers will disembark one mile from the National Mall and the nearest entrance for ticket-holders to President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony. Timed tickets go on sale Monday at www.inauguralwatertaxi.com.
Security zone enforcement may change if necessary, but the general enforcement plan follows:
- Beginning on January 15 through January 17, 2009, the security zone will be open to all commercial and recreational marine traffic, but movement of commercial and recreational vessels may be restricted as inaugural events dictate. Restrictions will be broadcast and law enforcement assets will be on-scene to ensure vessels do not enter areas impacted by inaugural activities. Any recreational vessels in the zone must either moor or depart the zone each day prior to sunset. Any recreational or commercial vessel entering or operating within the security zone during this three-day period must contact the Coast Guard Patrol Commander via marine-band radio VHF Channel 16 or by phone at (410) 576-2693 prior to entering or operating in the security zone; moreover, all such vessels should prepare to be boarded by the Coast Guard.
- Throughout January 18 until 11 p.m. on January 19, 2009, the Coast Guard will prohibit recreational boaters from entering or operating inside the security zone. Recreational boaters moored within the zone must not move unless given specific authorization by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Commercial vessels with prior approval from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander may operate during this period.
- Beginning at 11 p.m. on January 19, 2009, the Coast Guard will prohibit all vessel movement until inaugural events have concluded. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander will broadcast closure information on VHF Channel 16. Opening of the waterway is anticipated during the early morning hours of January 21, 2009. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander will broadcast the opening of the waterway.
- From the opening of the waterway on January 21 through January 25, 2009, the Coast Guard will allow recreational and commercial traffic to operate in the security zone as inaugural events permit.
