San Pablo Bay Safety Zone

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone in San Pablo Bay (see chart below) for purposes of conducting training exercises relative to homeland security.  The training will generally involve the use of Coast Guard helicopters to intercept fast moving small boats using blank ammunition.  

On dates when the safety zone is active, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering or transiting through the zone without permission of the Coast Guard. 

The safety zone is effective from May 5, 2009 to December 31, 2009. The dates of active operations will be published in the Notices to Mariners. Tentatively, some of the dates scheduled are June 30, July 2, 14, 17, 28, 31 and every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from August 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. If you plan to transit San Pablo Bay you should check the current Notice to Mariners for any changes or additions to these dates.