Editor's note: Click on image for high-resolution
A map of the slow speed zone in Biscayne Bay for July 4th, 2016.
Editor's note: Members of the media wishing to attend the briefing or to schedule interviews with Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary representatives are asked to RSVP with the Coast Guard 7th District public affairs office at 786-367-7649.
MIAMI — The U.S. Coast Guard along with maritime partner agencies are scheduled to hold a media briefing to enforce speed restrictions during the Fourth of July in Miami, Friday.
WHO: Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Biscayne National Park, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, City of Miami Fire-Rescue and Key Biscayne Police Department.
WHAT: Press briefing about speed restrictions in expanded regulated navigation area and safe boating for Fourth of July.
WHEN: Friday, July 1, 2016 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, 100 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, Fla., 33139.
MIAMI – The Coast Guard has announced an expanded regulated navigation area, for Biscayne Bay during fireworks displays, in the downtown Miami and Key Biscayne areas this Fourth of July.
A 15-knot speed limit will be in effect from Turkey Point north to the Julia Tuttle Causeway and from Elliot Key west to the shoreline. The speed restriction will be enforced from 7 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. the July Fourth.
The expanded regulated navigation area is necessary to protect the boating public during the holiday weekend when a significant concentration of vessels are expected to be on the Bay. Vessel speed, especially in crossing navigational channels in the darkness, has contributed to incidents resulting in severe injury and death. In 2014, four people were killed in a vessel collision while traveling back to the their boat ramp after watching fireworks.
The Coast Guard and partner state and local law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence during the period to ensure boater safety while transiting the bay during night hours.
For breaking news, follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.