Public Affairs Detachment New York
U.S. Coast Guard

June 19, 2009 
Public Affairs
(212) 668-7114

News Release

Coast Guard boating safety zones for Macy's fireworks display announced

NEW YORK-The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey is establishing boating safety and security zones on the Hudson River for the Annual Macy's July 4th fireworks spectacular, July 4, 2009.

The areas are divided into six sections and labeled alphabetically. Each section is designated as a viewing area, safety zone or security zone. This special local regulation will be in effect between 7:30 pm and approximately 11:30 pm. All spectator vessels must be inside the viewing areas by 7:00 pm and in position no later than 7:30 pm. Vessels in the viewing areas will be required to remain underway in position, not at anchor, and not depart the section until released by the on-scene Coast Guard Patrol Commander (PATCOM) via VHF channel 16.

The fireworks are estimated to launch between 9:20 to 9:50 pm. No vessel may enter or move into Alpha Section without authorization from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or PATCOM. Vessels outside the regulated area shall stay clear of all safety zones until PATCOM declares all areas open to the public. This information will be broadcast via VHF-FM CHANNEL 16.

Tugs & tows and commercial vessels not observing the fireworks must be outside of the regulated area no later than 7:00 pm. 

1. Alpha Section (display area): All waters south of a line drawn from Pier 8, Weehawken, N.J., to 62^nd St., and north of a line drawn from Pier 10 (11^th St.) Hoboken, N.J., to Pier 60, Chelsea Piers (19^th St.) Manhattan, N.Y.  No vessel movements are authorized in this section without permission from the Coast Guard.  This section is intended to accommodate fireworks display barges only.

2. Bravo Section (northern viewing area): This zone is adjacent to Alpha Section.  All vessels over 20 meters in length (65.6 ft) may view the fireworks on all waters of this designated area.  This zone extends approximately 600 yards north, ending at a boundary line drawn from approximate position: 40° 46’ 47.60’’N 073° 59’ 22.26’’W, Manhattan, N.Y. to point 40°47’ 03.39’’N 074°00’00.19’’W, Weehawken, N.J.

3.Charlie Section (Northernmost viewing area): All vessels less than 20 meters in length may view the fireworks on all waters south of a line drawn from Pier 11A, Weehawken, N.J., to 70^th St., Manhattan, extending 700 yards north of the Bravo section boundary line.

4. Foxtrot Section (southern viewing area): This zone is adjacent to Alpha Section. All vessels over 20 meters in length may view the fireworks in the designated viewing area south of a line drawn from Pier 10, Hoboken, NJ to Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, Manhattan, NY, continuing 950 yards south, and ending at Gansevoort Street in Manhattan, NY.

5. Delta Section (southernmost viewing area): All vessels less than 20 meters in length may view the fireworks in the designated viewing area from Gansevoort Street in Manhattan, NY, to a location approximately 1100 yards south to a line drawn from the northwest corner of Pier 40, Manhattan, NY to Jersey City Piers, NJ.

6. Echo Section (fireworks barge transit lane): A portion of the Hudson River, south of Alpha Section and west of sections Foxtrot and Delta, will be established for fireworks barge transits. This lane will consist of a half river closure in the southwestern portion of the regulated area. No vessels will be allowed in this area while fireworks barges are transiting to Alpha Section. This section will be opened to spectator vessels at 7:00 pm, once the fireworks barges are in display positions.

7. Moving Security Zones: The Captain of the Port New York will establish additional moving safety/security zones within a 100 yard radius of each fireworks barge transiting from Navy Homeport Pier to the display location.

For more information regarding local Coast Guard security and safety zones and information pertaining to the New York and New Jersey area, visit the Coast Guard Sector New York Homeport page here.

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