Date: January 25, 2006

Contact: LT Catherine Mellette
(313) 568-9615

MARITIME SECURITY FOR SUPER BOWL XL

DETROIT -  The U.S. Coast Guard as the designated lead agency for maritime security during Super Bowl XL has established and will enforce a security zone 1mile by 300 yards along the waterfront from Joe Louis Arena to north of the Renaissance Center (see chart for more details).  Vessels are not allowed to enter the designated security zone.  The word Vessel includes every description of watercraft including; canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, sailing, power, non-displacement and seaplanes, regardless of usage whether recreational or commercial.  Violation of a lawful Security Zone may subject the violator to penalties of up to $32,500 per day, per violation, as per 33 USC Section 1232, as amended by 33 CFR 27.3 revised as of July 1, 2004.

This temporary security zone is necessary to ensure the safety of up to 450,000 people that are expected to be attending the NFL Experience and other Super Bowl XL related events at Cobo Hall, Hart Plaza and the Renaissance Center.  The zone will be in effect from 08:00 a.m. (local) on January 31, 2006 through 08:00 a.m. (local) on February 06, 2006.

Vessels in close proximity to the security zone will be subject to increased monitoring and boarding to ensure the safety of the security zone. All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on-scene representative.  Entry into, transit, or anchoring within the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on-scene representative.  The Captain of the Port or his designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

The U. S. Coast Guard will coordinate local, federal and Canadian maritime security efforts.  Detroit Police Department (DPD) will be conducting dive operations throughout the event.  Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK from Port Huron, Michigan will moor in the vicinity of the Renaissance Center and will provide onscene command and control of all assigned boat forces.  Providing assistance to enforce the security zone is a Maritime Safety and Security Team from Kings Bay, Georgia.  MSST were established under the Maritime Safety and Security Act by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in order to enhance the domestic maritime security capability of the United States.  MSSTs are designed to safeguard the public and protect vessels, harbors, ports, facilities, and cargo in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from destruction, loss or injury from crime, or sabotage due to terrorist activity, and to respond to such activity, should it occur.  In addition, six Coast Guard K-9 teams will be assisting DPD in Explosive Ordinance Detection sweeps for various waterfront events.

As an enhanced measure the US and Canadian governments have authorized the implementation of an Integrated Maritime Security Operation, which allows for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers to embark onboard US Coast Guard vessels patrolling the Detroit River.  This program, successfully tested in the fall of 2005, allows Canadian and U.S. law enforcement personnel to embark on and conduct operations from each other's law enforcement vessels in each other's waters.  Command authority for all law enforcement operations, however, is based on jurisdiction.  In Canadian waters, for example, USCG officers would be operating under the direction of the RCMP and vice versa.

Media are invited to learn more about the Maritime Security for Super Bowl, Coast Guard’s MSST teams and K-9 teams, Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK, and the Integrated Maritime Security Operation at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (local) Tuesday, January 31 onboard CGC HOLLYHOCK near the Renaissance Center.  A Coast Guard spokesperson will be available for interviews and crewmembers and boats will be on hand for photographs and video.

The security zone will encompass an area of the Detroit River beginning at a point of land adjacent to Joe Louis Arena, at 42°19'26.6" N, 083°03'06.6" W; then extending offshore to the 3^rd St. junction buoy at 42º19'24.2" N, 83º03'4.7" W; then northeast through the Griswold St. junction buoy at 42º19'31" N, 83º02'34.1" W; then northeast at to 42°19'40" N, 083°02'00" W; then north to a point on land at 42°19'46.3" N, 083°02'00" W (near Atwater Customs station); then southeast following the shoreline back to the point of origin.