Restricted Area "C" Off Chesapeake Beach

[arf145]

The Navy marks off a huge area between Chesapeake Beach to the west and Tilghman Island to the east as restricted from 1 to 5pm M-F. The "C" part allows commercial thru traffic. Do you all know, is that strictly "commercial" traffic, or can pleasure craft traverse that zone too?

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by arf145

The Navy marks off a huge area between Chesapeake Beach to the west and Tilghman Island to the east as restricted from 1 to 5pm M-F. The "C" part allows commercial thru traffic. Do you all know, is that strictly "commercial" traffic, or can pleasure craft traverse that zone too?

As one that is used to aviation regulations, there sure seems to be a big difference in an aviation restricted area vs. a maritime one. If I were to fly into the restricted areas OVER the Chesapeake, I'd be in trouble in a skinny minute, yet I've been on a sailboat in Area C, Area B and dang close to if not in Area A as crew doing Down the Bay race and in areas B and C on my boat at other times.

Despite the marking on the chart and regs in the coast pilot it seems to me that pleasure craft can and do sail through that area all the time with no consequences. Really, I can't imagine in the day and age of environmental impact analysis' for any and every activity, that we'll be seeing naval gunnery firing 3/4 of the way across the Chesapeake anytime soon however, I also doubt the Navy will soon give up its right to do just that if they ever wanted to.

[jaalex]

When I brought my boat from Baltmore to Deltaville I gave it a wide birth. But there were a lot of recreational boats in that area and no one seemed to object. Would have saved me some time if I had cut through it.

Jason

[arf145]

Thanks for the responses. I'm hoping to hear from others on their treatment of this area. It certainly is in the way if you sail out of Deale/Herring Bay.

[bobmorning]

I too sail out of Deale and as a formal pilot know that charted restricted and prohibited areas are the quickest way to meet your Secret Service and/or FAA enforcement "friends".

I have given it wide berth also, but also see tons of pleasure craft plowing through it regularly at all hours and days.

So what is the deal with this area?

Bob

[T37Chef]

I've sailed through area B and/or C about 8 times, two times at night, on our summer trips down the bay.

Never had any concerns or issues, kept the VHF on just in case. My guess would be its enforced mush like the restrictions near Poole's Island, only when needed.

[SVAuspicious]

Originally Posted by T37Chef

Never had any concerns or issues, kept the VHF on just in case. My guess would be its enforced mush like the restrictions near Poole's Island, only when needed.

That's certainly my understanding. I vaguely recall it being enforced once while I was out many years ago and there were picket boats and VHF announcements.

[arf145]

OK, it sounds like I don't need to sweat this as much as I was--but do need to be aware.

[Cptken]

If the areas become active they will be posted in the Notice to Mariners and announcements will be made on the VHF. Give the one prohibited area off Tangier plenty of space, old target, pilings and debris can be hiding just below the surface.