Blue Angels

meide

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The Blue Angels will be doing an airshow over the Key Bridge and Ft. McHenry this Saturday and Sunday. They will also do a short practice airshow on Friday. The FAA has reserved the airspace for 1 PM to 5 PM each day, but I'm not sure when they will do the show or if there are any other aircraft involved.

The center of the airspace is between the Key Bridge and Ft. McHenry. The published Notice To Mariners shows a 1/2 mile wide restricted area roughly from the Key Bridge to Ft. McHenry that will be active from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Sunday. It appears that entry into the Inner Harbor at these times will not be possible unless the transit is coordinated with the CG on Channel 16 or at (410) 576-2693.

If I go to watch the show I will probably anchor at the mouth of the Middle Branch River about 3/4 southwest of Ft. McHenry.

Mike
 
I'm sure this will do wonders for the downtown marinas since people won't be able to keep their reservations. The sheer -lack of- genius of government agencies never ceases to amaze me.
 
They're telling marinas that boaters should avoid the restricted area from Noon until 5pm each day. However, when I contacted Sector Baltimore they told me "most likely" 10am until 4pm each day, with the option to stay restricted until 6pm.

I say those of us who are affected and want this to be better organized with provisions for recreational boaters to have an opportunity to make a downtown destination contact the below and very nicely request such:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or email Mr. Ronald Houck, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, MD; telephone 410-576-2674, email Ronald.L.Houckrb2@gr5tuscg.mil.
 
I think it's anybody's guess when or if they let boats through between restricted hours. I talked to a few Police/DNR/CG people and none would give me a straight answer.

I'm guessing this could be for security reasons.

Anyway, it's going to be an interesting week for sure.
 
I have been wondering too why the Blue Angels used to perform outside of Annapolis every year above anchored boats and there was never a security zone. What is so different about this event?
 
Having watched the Blues more times than I can count while living in Pensacola there has always been a security zone near the performance area. All boats were kept out of the performance line. They would fly over anchored boats on approach to some maneuvers or departure, but the maniuvers themselves were over the protected area
 
Okay, Pete. I get it. I guess the difference here is that the USCG is blocking access to the protected area (and all the marinas).
 
quote:

Originally posted by mixman

Okay, Pete. I get it. I guess the difference here is that the USCG is blocking access to the protected area (and all the marinas).






So Kurt, are you coming downtown this week?
 
When I plotted the restricted area from the Notice To Mariners it looks like it MIGHT be possible to sneak into the harbor if you kept on far right side of the Patapsco River all the way from the Key Bridge to Lazaretto Point (just at the mouth of the Inner Harbor).

Mike
 
quote:

Originally posted by westrong

So Kurt, are you coming downtown this week?





I think we're going to try. I hear you're full up. Bill's going to make room for us. We're planning (if we make it through the blockade that is) to dink up to your place to visit Leight of Day on Saturday. I'll be sure to stop in to say "hi".

However, if I hail the Nazi blockade commander and they won't let us through until after 6pm on Friday, we'll go somewhere else.
 
Ironic that they are blockading the inner harbor for a War of 1812 celebration. Careful running the blockade of you may get lumped in with the "nest of pirates" already in Baltimore. lol
 
quote:

Originally posted by jmeirhofer

Ironic that they are blockading the inner harbor for a War of 1812 celebration.





Good one, John.
 
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