(a) Location. This special local regulation establishes a regulated area on the waters of Half Moon Bay, located in the vicinity of Pillar Point. Movement within marinas, pier spaces, and facilities within Pillar Point Harbor is not regulated by this section.
(b) Enforcement Period. The following regulations will be enforced between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on one day between November 1 of each year and March 31 of the following year. Annual notice of the specific enforcement dates and times of these regulations will be announced via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and published by the Coast Guard in a Boating Public Safety Notice at least 24 hours in advance of the competition. Annual notice of the specific enforcement dates and times will also be published in a Notice of Enforcement in the Federal Register each year.
(c) Definitions. (1) Patrol Commander. As used in this section, ``Patrol Commander'' or ``PATCOM'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer, or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by the Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP) pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with that agency, to assist in the enforcement of the special local regulation.
(1) Patrol Commander. As used in this section, ``Patrol Commander'' or ``PATCOM'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer, or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by the Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP) pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with that agency, to assist in the enforcement of the special local regulation.
(2) Regulated Area. As used in this section ``Regulated Area'' means the area in which the Maverick's Invitational Surf Competition will take place. This area is bounded by an arc extending 1000 yards from Sail Rock (37[deg]29[min]34[sec] N, 122[deg]30[min]02[sec] W) excluding the waters within Pillar Point Harbor. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983. Within the Regulated Area, at least two zones will be established and marked by buoys on the day of the competition. Due to the dynamic and changing nature of the surf, the exact size and location of the zones will not be made public until the competition day. The zones will be prominently marked by at least 8 buoys, placed by the event sponsor in a pattern approved by PATCOM. In addition, the USCG will notify the public of the zone locations via broadcast notice to mariners on the day of the event.
(3) Zone 1. As used in this section, ``Zone 1'' means the competition area within the Regulated Area. Zone 1 will generally be located to the northwest of a line drawn between Sail Rock (37[deg]29[min]34[sec] N, 122[deg]30[min]02[sec] W) and Pillar Point Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy 1 (37[deg]29[min]10.410[sec] N, 122[deg]30[min]21.904[sec] W).
(4) Zone 2. As used in this section, ``Zone 2'' means the area within the Regulated Area where the Coast Guard may direct the movement of all vessels, including restricting vessels from this area. Due to weather and sea conditions, the Captain of the Port may deny access to Zone 2 and the remainder of the regulated area to all vessels other than competitors and support vessels on the day of the event. Zone 2 will generally be located to the southeast of a line drawn between Sail Rock (37[deg]29[min]34[sec] N, 122[deg]30[min]02[sec] W) and Pillar Point Entrance Lighted Gong Buoy 1 (37[deg]29[min]10.410[sec] N, 122[deg]30[min]21.904[sec] W).
(5) Competitor. As used in this section ``competitor'' means a surfer, enrolled in the Maverick's Invitational Surf Competition.
(6) Support Vessel. As used in this section ``support vessel'' means a vessel which is designated and conspicuously marked by the sponsor to provide direct support to the competitors.
(7) Spectator Vessel. As used in this section ``spectator vessel'' means any vessel or person which is not designated by the sponsor as a support vessel.
(d) Special Local Regulations. The following regulations apply between the hours of 6am and 6pm on the competition day.
(1) Regulated Area Restrictions:
(i) Only support vessels may be authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM) to enter Zone 1 during the competition.
(ii) Entering the water in Zone 1 by any person other than the competitors is prohibited. Competitors shall enter the water in Zone 1 from authorized support vessels only.
(iii) Vessels within Zone 2 shall maneuver as directed by PATCOM. Given the changing nature of the surf in the vicinity of the competition, PATCOM may close Zone 2 to all vessels due to hazardous conditions.
(iv) Entering the water in Zone 2 by any person is prohibited.
(v) Rafting and anchoring of vessels are prohibited within the Regulated Area.
(vi) Only vessels authorized by PATCOM shall be permitted to tow other watercraft within the regulated area.
(vii) Spectator and support vessels in Zones 1 and 2 shall operate at speeds which will create minimum wake, in general, seven (7) miles per hour or less.
(viii) When hailed or signaled by PATCOM by a succession of sharp, short signals by whistle or horn, the hailed vessel must come to an immediate stop and comply with the lawful directions issued. Failure to comply with a lawful direction may result in additional operating restrictions, citation for failure to comply, or both.
(ix) During the events, vessel operators may contact the PATCOM on VHF-FM channel 16.
(2) [Reserved] [USCG-2014-0715, 79 FR 61765, Oct. 15, 2014]