The Coast Guard will enforce multiple safety and security zones on Elliott Bay and Lake Washington during Ship Tours and Seafair Weekend Festival August 2-4.

No vessel is allowed within 100-yards of the protected vessels in Elliott Bay while they are moored in Seattle.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Alex Meyers watches boaters pass under a bridge on Lake Washington aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium during Seafair. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Valerie Higdon.

All vessel operators desiring to enter any safety or security zone must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port by contacting on scene Coast Guard patrol craft on VHF-FM channels 13 or 16, or the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Joint Harbor Operations Center via channel 16. Violating these zones is a felony offense. Boaters who enter these zones will be escorted from the area immediately and may be subject to fines of up to $250,000 and/or up to six years in federal prison.

During the Seafair weekend festivities, Coast Guard crews will work with state and local agencies to increase safety patrols on Lake Washington.

The Coast Guard will enforce the annual Seafair Air Show Performance safety zone on Lake Washington from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on August 1, and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day from August 2 through August 4. This action is necessary to prevent injury and to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the aerial displays. The regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated areas unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Puget Sound or a designated representative.

Boaters are reminded that children 12 years of age and younger are required by state law to wear life jackets while on the water. Life jackets must be accessible for everyone aboard the vessel and adults are encouraged to always wear their lifejackets while on the water.

Additionally, boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is against the law. Boaters found to be operating vessels while under the influence may be subject to arrest and if no capable operator is aboard the vessel the owner and passengers will be removed and the vessel will be impounded.

For more boating safety information please visit: www.uscgboating.org

For more information about the Seattle Seafair Fleet Week visit: www.seafair.com

Seafair USCG