Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Culebra, Puerto Rico

DEEPER READ

This regulatory rule creates a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters adjacent to Playa Tamarindo Grande Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico, centered at coordinates 18 degrees 19 minutes 25.42 seconds North and 065 degrees 19 minutes 43.55 seconds West. The 200-yard exclusion perimeter is intended to prevent accidental contact with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and to keep the public away from active removal operations, which carry inherent risks of detonation or environmental contamination. The legal basis for this action falls under the Coast Guard's authority to establish safety zones in navigable U.S. waters, typically grounded in 33 U.S.C. 1231 and 46 U.S.C. 70034, which authorize the agency to regulate vessel traffic and protect public safety in maritime environments. The Captain of the Port for Sector San Juan holds enforcement authority and can grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Culebra has a well-documented history with unexploded ordnance. The island was used for decades as a naval bombing and gunnery range by the U.S. military, and remnants of that activity periodically surface in coastal and underwater areas. UXO removal operations in the region are not uncommon and typically involve specialized explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. Those most directly affected include recreational boaters, fishermen, divers, and tourists who use the waters near Playa Tamarindo Grande. Local maritime commerce could also see minor disruptions depending on the zone's duration and the traffic patterns in that area. Violators risk civil or criminal penalties under federal maritime law. The rule is temporary by design, meaning it will be in effect only for the duration of the ordnance removal operation. The Federal Register notice would specify the effective dates, and the Coast Guard typically broadcasts notices to mariners through local advisories to ensure awareness among those operating in the affected waters.

AS PUBLISHED

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within 200 yards of location 18[deg]19'25.42" N, 065[deg]19'43.55" W, adjacent to Playa Tamarindo Grande Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with unexploded ordnance and associated removal operations. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector San Juan, or their designated representative.

THE SAGE'S PERSPECTIVE