USCG to Establish Security Zone for State of the Union Address

The Coast Guard will establish a temporary security zone Tuesday in designated waters in the National Capital Region for the State of the Union address.

The security zone will be in effect from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 2 a.m. Wednesday, which may limit or prohibit navigation by commercial and recreational waterway users.

The security zone will include the Potomac River from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, south to approximately two miles north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The security zone will also include the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin as well as the Anacostia River from the 11th Street Bridge to its confluence with the Potomac River.

Entering or operating in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the captain of the port of Baltimore. Vessels already at berth, mooring or anchor at the time the security zone is implemented are not required to depart the security zone.

"Recognizing the temporary security zone will affect mariners on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, we have coordinated closely with our inter-agency and port partners to minimize the impact," said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Armstrong, the chief of Incident Management at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. "We do this while still meeting security requirements for the president's State of the Union address.

Persons desiring to transit the security zone must first obtain authorization from the COTP or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, call 410-576-2693 or use marine-band radio via VHF-FM channel 16.

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