Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal Closure Info

!!!IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Below is the latest notice from the Coast Guard concerning the electric fish barrier on the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal. The original posting may be found at http://www.d9publicaffairs.com/go/site/1295/.


Ninth Coast Guard District
ANS Dispersal Barrier - Romeoville, IL. Information Site

WATERWAY CLOSURE NOTICE

Coast Guard allowing recreational vessels to transit the safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal over the electric fish barrier on a case-by-case basis

CHICAGO – Sept 11, 2009 - The U.S. Coast Guard announces that the Captain of the Port 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.

“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.”