The Captain of the Port, Sault Ste. Marie, has established a regulated navigation area, one quarter mile on each side of the Mackinac Bridge in concurrence with the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk. The regulated navigation area will commence at 6:00 AM EST Monday, September 5th, until approximately 3:00 PM the same day. All vessels planning to transit under the Mackinac Bridge are directed to check their speeds back to 12 nautical miles per hour (14 mph). All recreational vessels are directed to contact Coast Guard Station St. Ignace on VHF-FM channel 16 for an escort before entering the regulated navigation area. The only authorized passage under the Mackinac Bridge will be through the center span. A broadcast will be made on VHF-FM channel 16/22A to initiate and remove the regulated navigation area.

The Coast Guard, in conjunction with the Michigan State Police, is implementing these procedures strictly as a safety precaution. For more information please contact Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie at (906) 635-3233 or Coast Guard Station St. Ignace at (906) 643-6402.

Share or bookmark this story: