CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL

US COAST GUARD
September 4, 2009
Read the Coast Guard Report here

Vessel Requirements

1. THE COAST GUARD HAS ESTABLISHED A SAFETY ZONE ON THE CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 296.0 AND 296.7 TO RESTRICT PASSAGE OF VESSELS ACROSS THE ELECTRICAL DISPERSAL BARRIER.

2. VESSELS MEETING THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MAY TRANSIT THE SAFETY ZONE IF GRANTED PERMISSION BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT'S REPRESENTATIVE.
NUMBER ONE - THE VESSEL MUST HAVE AN ENTIRELY METALLIC HULL, BE POWERED BY DIESEL FUEL, AND BE AT LEAST TWENTY FEET IN LENGTH. NUMBER TWO - TOWS CONSISTING OF BARGES NOT CARRYING COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID OR FLAMMABLE CARGOS AND MADE UP USING WIRE ROPE. NUMBER THREE - TOWS CONSISTING OF BARGES CARRYING FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID CARGOS MUST BE MADE UP USING WIRE ROPE AND ENGAGING THE SERVICES OF A BOW BOAT AT ALL TIMES DURING THE TRANSIT. THESE VESSELS MUST RECEIVE PERMISSION TO TRANSIT FROM THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT'S REPRESENTATIVE AT
(630) 336-0296 OR CHANNEL 16 VHF.

3. VESSELS PERMITTED TO TRANSIT MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING SIX REQUIREMENTS: NUMBER ONE - ALL PERSONNEL MUST REMAIN INSIDE A DECKHOUSE OR SUPERSTRUCTURE DURING THE TRANSIT. NUMBER TWO - ANY VESSEL ENGAGED IN TOWING THAT WISHES TO TRANSIT DURING COAL LOADING OPERATIONS AT THE MID WEST GENERATION POWER PLANT MUST ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A BOW BOAT. NUMBER THREE - ALL VESSELS MUST ENTER THE SAFETY ZONE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF TRANSITING TO THE OTHER SIDE AND MUST MAINTAIN HEADWAY THROUGHOUT THE TRANSIT. THIS PROHIBITS MOORING, LAYING UP, AND/OR LOITERING WITHIN THE ZONE. NUMBER FOUR TOWBOATS MAY NOT MAKE OR BREAK TOWS WITHIN THE SAFETY ZONE. NUMBER FIVE - VESSELS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL SERVICE MAY NOT MEET OR OVERTAKE OTHER VESSELS BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 295.0 AND 297.5 OF THE CHICAGO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL. NUMBER SIX - ALL VESSELS MUST COMPLY WITH ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT OR CONDITION IMPOSED BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT'S REPRESENTATIVE.

4. NON-METALLIC HULLED VESSELS, SUCH AS FIBERGLASS AND WOOD MAY BE TOWED THROUGH THE SAFETY ZONE DEADSHIP AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.
CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, FOR DETAILS CONTACT THE SENIOR PREVENTION DUTY OFFICER AT (414) 397-4428.

5. THIS SAFETY ZONE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THEREBY CLOSING THIS PORTION OF THE CANAL TO ALL OTHER VESSEL TYPES. THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT WILL ISSUE A BROADCAST NOTICE TO MARINERS NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC OF FURTHER INTENTIONS. VIOLATION OF THIS SAFETY ZONE IS PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY OF $32,500 FOR EACH VIOLATION. A WILLFUL VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY ZONE MAY ALSO CONSTITUTE COMMISSION OF A CLASS D FELONY.