Geographical Extension of Coast Guard Authority to Enforce Naval Vessel Protection Zones; Conforming Amendment

Résumé

The Coast Guard is revising its informational, geographic- application regulation for naval vessel protection zones (NVPZs) to reflect a recent expansion of the jurisdiction for NVPZs. Section 201 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 amended 14 U.S.C. 91 defines "navigable waters" to include the waters 12 nautical-miles wide, adjacent to the coast of the United States and seaward of the territorial sea baseline. As a result of this legislation, Naval Vessel Protection Zone (NVPZ) regulations are now enforceable in navigable waters out to the full extent of the U.S. territorial sea, 12 nautical miles seaward from the baseline. This conforming amendment to our regulation reflects this recently-enacted authority.