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The Coast Guard is proposing the establishment of shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Fairways are marked routes for vessel traffic in which any fixed obstructions are prohibited. The proposed fairways are based on studies about vessel traffic along the Atlantic Coast and do not conflict with other ocean users. Coast Guard establishes shipping safety fairways to maintain safe and secure access to major ports of the U.S. Marine Transportation System. 

Statement of Need:

This rulemaking would establish shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast of the United States to facilitate the direct and unobstructed transits of ships and facilitate development on the outer continental shelf.  The rulemaking would also establish traffic separation schemes, precautionary areas, and a fairway anchorage.  The establishment of these routing measures would ensure that obstruction-free routes are preserved to and from US ports and along the Atlantic Coast. 

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Establishing fairways would streamline interagency coordination between the Coast Guard, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and other stakeholders during the wind energy leasing process. By clearly identifying historic vessel travel lanes and areas with high vessel traffic early on, this rule would enable efficient communication and decision-making. Additionally, it would provide clarity on less-trafficked, open-water areas suitable for future energy exploration projects, facilitating quicker and more effective planning. Coast Guard is determining the costs of the rule.