News Release

Date: September 11, 2009 

Contact: Lt. Kristie Salzmann
USCG Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs
(414) 349-5109

Coast Guard considers allowing  recreational vessels to transit the safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal over the electric fish barrier

CHICAGO – The U.S. Coast Guard announces that the Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan will allow, on a case by case basis, certain recreational vessels to transit the safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal surrounding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ electric fish barrier from mile marker 296.0 to mile marker 296.7.

The Coast Guard will continue to enforce the safety zone near the fish barrier.  However, based on the initial results of recent safety tests conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard will consider, on a case by case basis, requests by recreational vessels to transit through the zone under their own power.  Previously, certain vessels were permitted to transit through the safety zone only while being towed.  Mariners must request permission to transit and comply with all instructions of the Coast Guard on-scene representative who can be contacted on VFH-FM Channel 16 or at (630) 336-0296.

Starting Saturday, September 12, 2009, the Coast Guard will begin allowing, on a case by case basis, certain vessels greater than 20 feet in length to transit through the safety zone. Transit times will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  All persons aboard a vessel transiting the safety zone must wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while in the vicinity of the barrier.

Due to the risk of personal shock, the following types of vessels will still be prohibited from transiting the safety zone: all personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, rafts, shells, or sailboats without a motor.

The Coast Guard recommends all people on board a vessel transiting the safety zone:

• remain seated.
• avoid contact with the water and any standing water in the vessel.
• avoid contact with metal objects on vessel unless necessary for safe navigation.
• avoid making contact with anything outside the hull of the vessel.

“There are very serious risks associated with coming in contact with electrified water.” said Capt. Luann Barndt, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. “We want to ensure people understand all the risks before they decide to request permission to transit through the safety zone.”

For updated information regarding the safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, go to http://www.uscg.fishbarrierinfo.com.

For further information, contact the Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs Office at (414) 349-5109.

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