This letter provides a brief overview of the United States Coast Guard Regulations relating to marine events as well as the specific procedures to be followed for obtaining required approvals and permits.

Please note a change to our previous mailing address and contact information. We recently reorganized the Coast Guard units in this region, and the office responsible for marine events is now Coast Guard Sector Detroit. For addressing purposes, your applications and envelopes should be labeled:

Commander
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit
Attn: Marine Events Coordinator
110 Mt. Elliott Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207-4380

Should you have any questions relating to the marine event approval process or as to the status of your proposed marine event, your point of contact will be Lieutenant Junior Grade Cynthia Channell or any member of the Waterways Management Division at (313) 568-9580.

The Coast Guard’s primary concern during a marine event is the safety of the participants, spectators and other users of the waterways. Pursuant to Federal Law, Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 100, you are required to obtain a Marine Event Permit when the nature, circumstances and/or location of the marine event will introduce extra or unusual conditions and/or hazards to the safety of life or limb on navigable waters of the United States. Examples of such conditions include, but are not limited to, inherently hazardous competition with the presence of commercial or pleasure craft in the event area; events that will have a large number of participants; events crossing or obstructing navigable waterways; events involving the discharge of pyrotechnics (fireworks and flares) either from or over the water; and any event that is expected to attract a large concentration of spectators, both on shore and on the water.

Even if you sponsor an event that does not present such hazards or conditions, Federal law still requires that you submit an Application for Approval of Marine Event (Form CG-4423) for any and all proposed marine events that take place on navigable waters of the United States, for our review and approval. This is required to ensure that there are no conflicts or possible dangerous situations in the area of your proposed marine event. Enclosed are copies of the required forms for your use. Additional copies may be obtained either from your local Coast Guard unit or from the address below. You must also coordinate with your local and state governments to determine that their requirements are met. Should your proposed event cross into Canadian waters, you must also contact the Canadian Coast Guard to determine what forms you may need to submit for their approval.

Sponsors must be prepared to provide an adequate number of vessels to patrol their marine event in order to ensure the safety of the participants, spectators, and the general boating public. Under certain circumstances the Coast Guard may deem it necessary to provide Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, or local law enforcement vessels to assist in patrolling a given marine event to provide this safety factor and to control the marine event. This determination will be made by Coast Guard Sector Detroit in conjunction with the local Coast Guard Station.

Upon receiving a completed application, we will review the proposed event, check it against our master calendar, and forward a copy to the respective Coast Guard Station for their review and comments. Please observe the instructions on the forms carefully and provide all of the requested information.

Your application must be received by Coast Guard Sector Detroit at least 135 days in advance of the proposed event’s date. Late applications will not normally be considered, except under extraordinary circumstances. Moreover, any deviation from the terms of the permit without prior approval from the assigned Coast Guard Patrol Commander or the responsible Coast Guard Station could result in a delay or termination of your marine event.

The Application for Approval of Marine Event (CG-4423) is included and must be completed by the sponsoring organization and forwarded to the address below. We have also enclosed the Fireworks Supplement to Marine Event Application form that must be completed if your event includes any fireworks or other types of pyrotechnics. This form must be completed by the company supplying and discharging the pyrotechnics, and submitted no later than 60 days prior to the date of the proposed event. Please ensure that a site map or diagram is included, as prescribed on this form.

Applications for the upcoming 2006 boating season may be submitted at any time and will be processed as they are received. Approval reviews will be made on a "first come – first served" basis.

Any application received after the 135-day deadline will be returned to the sponsor and will not be considered for approval, except under extraordinary circumstances. If you are planning on holding a marine event in 2006, please submit the application forms to the address above prior to the 135-day deadline.

The Application for Approval of Marine Event (CG-4423) available in the past on the Coast Guard Group Detroit website is not currently available, as we are migrating to a new Sector Detroit website. The electronic submission process may be available in the near future, and if so it will be announced via separate correspondence. It should be available for the 2007 marine events season.

Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable 2006 boating season.

                                                                     Sincerely,