§ 165.T01-0149 Regulated Navigation Area; Raritan River, Perth Amboy, NJ.
(a) Location. The following area is a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA): all navigable waters of the Raritan River, mile 0.5, in the vicinity of the Raritan River Railroad Swing Bridge, Perth Amboy, NJ, surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following approximated positions, beginning at 40°30′04.06″ N, 074°17′02.15″ W (NW corner of Sandy Point, thence to 40°29′59.30″ N, 074°17′40.55″ W, thence southeast along the shoreline to 40°29′29.55″ N, 074°16′47.02″ W; thence to 40°29′58.89″ N, 074°16′29.49″ W; and thence westerly along the shoreline to the point of origin, expressed in Degrees (°) Minutes (') Seconds (”) (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section.
(1) 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 Northeast Coast Guard District Commander in the enforcement of the regulated area.
(2) 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.
(c) 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) No vessel is permitted to transit through the south span navigational channel of the bridge(s) at any given time.
(4) 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.
(5) Vessels may not pass (overtake) another vessel within the RNA.
(6) Only one vessel is permitted to pass through the north span navigational channel of the bridge(s) at any given time.
(7) Except when transiting through the north span navigation channel, 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.
(9) When a full enforcement period of the regulated area is activated, only vessel authorized by COTP may enter or remain within the RNA.
(d) Enforcement. The following enforcement periods and requirements apply to this RNA.
(1) This section will be enforced from 12:01 a.m. on April 15, 2026, to 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2030.
(2) The “Slow-No Wake” speed limit, south channel closure, and other restrictions—except for the limited full enforcement period prohibiting vessels from entering the regulated area—will be enforced throughout the entire enforcement period.
(3) Full enforcement periods of the regulated area, prohibiting all vessel entry, will be enforced only during hazardous construction operations involving multiple tugs and large barges maneuvering in and obstructing the navigable channel for heavy lift, construction, or demolition activities. The Coast Guard will issue information on full enforcement periods through Local Notice to Mariners, the Coast Guard Navigation Center Maritime Safety Information Products page at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi, and Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHF-FM) as soon as practicable.
(4) Persons or vessels seeking to deviate from the restrictions described in section (c) of this section or to enter the regulated area during a full enforcement period must request authorization from the COTP or the COTP's on-scene designated representative on VHF-16 or via phone at (718) 354-4353.
[USCG-2026-0149, 91 FR 24124, May 5, 2026]
Effective Date Note:
By USCG-2026-0149, 91 FR 24124, May 5, 2026, § 165.T01-0149 was added, effective May 5, 2026, through June 30, 2030.