Coast Guard to Enforce Kailua Bay Security Zone During President's Stay
HONOLULU — Coast Guard law enforcement officers will enforce a temporary security zone in the waters of Kailua Bay beginning as early as December 23, 2011. The temporary security zone is necessary to ensure the safety of the President of the United States and his official party.
The security zone will be in effect from 2:00 p.m., December 23, 2011 to 8:00 p.m. Jan. 7, 2012, unless canceled earlier by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Honolulu, Capt. Joanna Nunan.
The Coast Guard is coordinating with the Honolulu Police Department, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and other Federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies on patrols of the area under the direction of the U.S. Secret Service.
The maritime security zone includes a portion of Kailua Bay, beginning at Kapoho Point and extending westward to the shoreline at Namala Place road, near the Castles surf spot. The zone also includes the adjacent channel beginning near Kapoho Point to a point extending the channel way to approximately 150 yards south of the North Kalaheo Avenue Road Bridge.
An orange “boom” and yellow buoys will be placed on the water and in the channel for visual references of the zone.
Under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 165.33), the temporary law prohibits any unauthorized person or vessel from entering or remaining in this security zone. Any person entering the zone without the permission of the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port is subject to a penalty of not more than $40,000 for each violation or a criminal penalty resulting in imprisonment of not more than 25 years, and a fine of not more than $250,000. Offending vessels may also be seized and held liable for any monetary assessments.
“Recognizing the zone may inconvenience residents and recreational users,” said LCDR Scott Whaley, “we have coordinated closely with the local community to minimize the impact and still meet the security requirements for the President of the Unites States during his stay on Oahu.”
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SOURCE: U.S. Coast Guard