Title 33

SECTION 334.1130

334.1130 Pacific Ocean, Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC), Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; danger zones.

§ 334.1130 Pacific Ocean, Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC), Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; danger zones.

(a) The Area. (1) The waters of the Pacific Ocean in an area extending seaward from the shoreline a distance of about three nautical miles and basically outlined as follows:

(2) The danger area described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section will be divided into zones in order that certain firing tests and operations, whose characteristics as to range and reliability permit, may be conducted without requiring complete evacuation of the entire area. These zones are described as follows:

(i) Zone 1. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at Point Sal, latitude 34°54′08″, longitude 120°40′15″; thence due west to latitude 34°54′08″, longitude 120°44′00″; thence to latitude 34°52′48″, longitude 120°44′00″; thence to latitude 34°50′00″, longitude 120°40′30″; thence due east to the shoreline at latitude 34°50′00″, longitude 120°36′30″.

(ii) Zone 2. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at latitude 34°50′00″, longitude 120°36′30″; thence due west to latitude 34°50′00″, longitude 120°40′30″, thence to latitude 34°45′28″, longitude 120°42′05″; thence due east to the shoreline at Purisima Point, latitude 34°45′28″, longitude 120°38′15″.

(iii) Zone 3. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at Purisima Point latitude 34°45′28″, longitude 120°38′15″; thence due west to latitude 34°45′28″, longitude 120°42′05″; thence to latitude 34°44′50″, longitude 120°42′15″; thence to latitude 34°41′50″, longitude 120°40′12″; thence due east to the shoreline at the mouth of the Santa Ynez River, latitude 34°41′50″, longitude 120°36′20″.

(iv) Zone 4. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at the mouth of the Santa Ynez River latitude 34°41′50″, longitude 120°36′20″; thence due west to latitude 34°41′50″, longitude 120°40′12″; thence to latitude 34°35′12″; longitude 120°42′45″; thence latitude 34°34′32″, longitude 120°42′15″, thence due east to the shoreline at Point Arguello, latitude 34°34′32″, longitude 120°39′03″.

(v) Zone 5. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at Point Arguello, latitude 34°34′32″, longitude 120°39′03″; thence due west to latitude 34°34′32″, longitude 120°42′15″; thence to latitude 34°33′00″, longitude 120°41′05″; thence to latitude 34°30′40″, longitude 120°37′29″; thence due north to the shoreline at latitude 34°33′15″, longitude 120°37′29″.

(vi) Zone 6. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at latitude 34°33′15″, longitude 120°37′29″; thence due south to latitude 34°30′40″, longitude 120°37′29″; thence due east to the shoreline at latitude 34°30′40″, longitude 120°30′10″.

(vii) Zone 7. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at latitude 34°30′40″, longitude 120°30′10″; thence due west to latitude 34°30′40″, longitude 120°37′29″; thence to latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°33′06″; thence due east to the shoreline at Point Conception, latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°28′10″.

(viii) Zone 8. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at Point Conception, latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°28′10″; thence due west to latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°33′06″; thence to latitude 34°24′18″, longitude 120°30′00″; thence to latitude 34°23′34″, longitude 120°27′05″; thence shoreward to Point Conception, latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°28′10″.

(ix) Zone 9. An area extending seaward about three nautical miles from the shoreline beginning at Point Conception, latitude 34°26′56″, longitude 120°28′10″; thence seaward to latitude 34°23′34″, longitude 120°27′05″; thence to latitude 34°24′21″, longitude 120°24′40″; thence due north to the shoreline at latitude 34°27′20″, longitude 120°24′40″.

(b) The regulations. (1) Except as prescribed in this section or in other regulations, the danger zone will be open to fishing, location of fixed or movable oil drilling platforms and general navigation without restrictions.

(2) The stopping or loitering by any person or vessel is expressly prohibited within Danger Zone 4, between the mouth of the Santa Ynez River and Point Arguello, unless prior permission is obtained from the Commander, Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC) at Vandenberg AFB, California.

(3) The impacting of missile debris from launch operations will take place in any one or any group of zones in the danger areas at frequent and irregular intervals throughout the year. The Commander, WSMC, will announce in advance, the closure of zones hazarded by missile debris impact. Such advance announcements will appear in the weekly “Notice to Mariners.” For the benefit of fishermen, small craft operators and drilling platform operators, announcements will also be made on radio frequency 2182 kc, 2638 kc, VHF channel 6 (156.30 MHZ), VHF channel 12 (156.60 MHZ), and VHF channel 16 (156.80 MHZ) for daily announcements. Additionally, information will be posted on notice boards located outside Port Control Offices (Harbormasters) at Morro Bay, Port San Luis, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Channel Islands, and Port Hueneme Harbors, and any established harbor of refuge between Santa Barbara and Morro Bay.

(4) All fishing boats, other small craft, drilling platforms and shipping vessels with radios are requested to monitor radio frequency 2182 kc, 2638 kc, VHF channel 6 (156.30 MHZ), VHF channel 12 (156.60 MHZ), or channel 16 (156.80 MHZ) while in these zones for daily announcements of zone closures.

(5) When a scheduled launch operation is about to begin, radio broadcast notifications will be made periodically, starting at least 24 hours in advance. Additional contact may be made by surface patrol boats or aircraft equipped with a loudspeaker system. When so notified, all persons and all vessels shall leave the specified zone or zones immediately by the shortest route.

(6) The Commander, WSMC, will extend full cooperation relating to the public use of the danger area and will fully consider every reasonable request for its use in light of requirements for national security and safety of persons and property.

(7) Where an established harbor of refuge exists, small craft may take shelter for the duration of zone closure.

(8) Fixed or movable oil drilling platforms located in zones identified as hazardous and closed in accordance with this regulation shall cease operations for the duration of the zone closure. The zones shall be closed continuously no longer than 72 hours at any one time. Such notice to evacuate personnel shall be accomplished in accordance with procedures as established by the Commander, WSMC, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service and the oil industry in the adjacent waters of the outer continental shelf.

(9) No seaplanes, other than those approved by the Commander, WSMC, may enter the danger zones during launch closure periods.

(10) The regulations in this section shall be enforced by personnel attached to WSMC and by such other agencies as may be designated by the Commander, WSMC.

(11) The regulations in this section shall be in effect until further notice. They shall be reviewed again during August 1994.

(33 U.S.C. 1, 3) [48 FR 19025, Apr. 27, 1983. Redesignated at 50 FR 42696, Oct. 22, 1985, and amended at 54 FR 31142, July 26, 1989; 62 FR 17558, Apr. 10, 1997]

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