§ 165.T01-0389 Regulated Navigation Area and Safety Zone; Hampton River, Hampton, NH.
(a) Location. The following area is a regulated navigation area (RNA):
(1) “RNA”: all navigable waters of the Hampton River, mile 0.0, at the inlet to Hampton Harbor, Hampton, NH, surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following approximate positions, 42°53′41.59″ N 070°48′29.064″ W (Hampton Harbor North Jetty Daybeacon “8” LLNR 8945); thence along the jetty to 42°53′48.1″ N 070°48′38.4″ W; thence along the shore line to 42°53′50.9″ N 070°48′58.2″ W (center Hampton Bridge north side approach); thence along the shore line to 42°53′56.52″ N 070°49′4.77″ W (Hampton State Pier); thence to 42°53′55.73″ N 070°49′12.72″ W; thence to 42°53′41.78″ N 070°49′14.11″ W; thence to 42°53′41.67″ N 070°49′8.63″ W” (Harborside Dunes); thence along the shore to 42°53′41.09″ N 070°49′0.87″ W (center Hampton Bridge south side approach); thence along the shore to 42°53′33.077″ N 070°48′38.724″ W (Hampton Harbor South Daybeacon “H” LLNR 8955); thence to the point of origin, expressed in Degrees (°) Minutes (′) Seconds (″) (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
(2) [Reserved]
(b) Location. The following area is a safety zone:
(1) “Safety Zone”: all navigable waters within a 50-yard radius of the center point of the Neil R. Underwood Brid Seabrook-Hampton Harbor Bridge, Hampton River, mile 0.0, at the inlet to Hampton Harbor, Hampton, NH, surface to bottom, in approximate positions, 42°53′46.2″ N 70°48′59.6″ W, expressed in Degrees (°) Minutes (′) Seconds (″) (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
(2) [Reserved]
(c) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the USCG Northeast District Commander in the enforcement of the safety zones. Local officer means any officer, agent, or employee of a unit of local government authorized by law or by a local government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law.
(d) RNA Regulations. In addition to the general RNA regulations in § 165.13, the following regulations apply to the RNA described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(1) Nothing in this regulation relieves any vessel, owner, operator, charterer, master, or person directing the movement of a vessel, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with this part or any other applicable law or regulation (i.e., the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) or 33 CFR part 84—Subchapter E, Inland Navigation Rules) or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(2) Entry and movement within the RNA is subject to a “Slow-No Wake” speed limit. All vessels may not produce a wake and may not attain speeds greater than five (5) knots unless a higher minimum speed is necessary to maintain bare steerageway.
(3) Any vessel transiting through the RNA must make a direct passage. No vessel may stop, fish, moor, anchor, or loiter within the RNA at any time.
(4) Vessels may not pass (overtake) another vessel within the RNA.
(5) Only one vessel is permitted to pass through the center span navigational channel of the bridge(s) at any given time.
(6) The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary traffic pattern within the RNA to manage vessel traffic. The traffic pattern, as shown below in figure 1, is positioned around the shallow waters of Hampton Harbor and will be marked with temporary aids to navigation. The western and southern sides of the shallow area will support two-way traffic. One-way traffic will flow northbound between the eastern side of the shallow waters and the Neil R. Underwood Bridge/Seabrook-Hampton Harbor Bridge. The northern side of the shallow area will accommodate one-way traffic moving west.
Figure 1 Chartlet Showing Traffic Pattern Within the RNA
(7) Except for transiting through the center span, no vessel or craft may operate within 20 feet of the bridge(s).
(8) The operator of any vessel transiting in the RNA must comply with all lawful directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's on-scene representative.
(d) Enforcement period. The RNA will be enforced from 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2030.
(e) Safety Zone Regulations. In addition to the general safety zone regulations in § 165.23, the following regulations apply to the “Safety Zone” described in paragraph (b) of this section.
(1) During each enforcement period, only vessel authorized by COTP may enter or remain in this safety zone.
(2) Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must request authorization from the COTP or the COTP's on-scene designated representative on VHF-16 or via phone at 833-449-2407 (Sector Northern New England Command Center). Vessels must comply with directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's on-scene designated representative.
(f) Effective and Enforcement periods. This safety zone will be effective from 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on Decmember 31, 2030 but will only be enforced during active construction within the main span navigational channel or other instances which may cause a hazard to navigation as determined by the COTP. The COTP will make notification of the exact dates and times in advance of each closure period of the safety zone to the local maritime community through the Local Notice to Mariners and will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHF-FM) as soon as practicable in response to an emergency.
(g) Early Completion. If the project is completed before December 31, 2030, enforcement of the RNA and safety zone will be suspended, and notice given via Local Notice to Mariners. The USCG Northeast District Local Notice to Mariners can be found at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov.
[USCG-2025-0389, 90 FR 29733, July 7, 2025]
Effective Date Note:
Effective Date Note:By USCG-2025-0389, 90 FR 29733, July 7, 2025, § 165.T01-0389 was added, effective July 7, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2030.