161.60—Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound.
(a)
The VTS area consists of the navigable waters of the United States north of a line drawn from Cape Hinchinbrook Light to Schooner Rock Light, comprising that portion of Prince William Sound between 146°30′ W. and 147°20′ W. and includes Valdez Arm, Valdez Narrows and Port Valdez.
(b)
The Valdez Arm VTS Special Area consists of the waters of the Valdez Arm Traffic Separation Scheme (described in § 167.1703 of this chapter ); the waters northeast of a line drawn from shoreline to shoreline through the points 60°58.04′ N, 146°46.52′ W and 60°58.93′ N, 146°48.86′ W; and southwest of a line bearing 307° True from Tongue Point at 61°02.10′ N, 146°40.00′ W.
(c)
The Valdez Narrows VTS Special Area consists of those waters of Valdez Arm, Valdez Narrows, and Port Valdez northeast of a line bearing 307° True from Tongue Point at 61°02′06″ 146°40′ W.; and southwest of a line bearing 307° True from Entrance Island Light at 61°05′06″ N., 146°36′42″ W.
(d)
Additional VTS Special Area Operating Requirements. The following additional requirements are applicable in the Valdez Narrows VTS Special Area:
(i)
Approval to enter this area will not be granted to a vessel when a tank vessel of more than 20,000 deadweight tons is navigating therein;
(ii)
A northbound vessel shall remain south of 61° N. until the VTS has granted permission to proceed; and
(iii)
A southbound vessel shall remain in Port Valdez east of 146°35′ W. and north of 61°06′ N. until the VTS has granted permission to proceed.
(ii)
A towing vessel of 8 meters or more in length, except for a vessel performing duties as an escort vessel as defined in 33 CFR Part 168.
| Designator | Geographic name | Geographic description | Latitude/longitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Cape Hinchinbrook | Cape Hinchinbrook | 60°16′18″ N; 146°45′30″ W | Northbound Only. |
| 1B | Schooner Rock | Schooner Rock | 60°18′42″ N; 146°51′36″ W | Southbound Only. |
| 2A | Naked Island | Naked Island | 60°40′00″ N; 147°01′24″ W | Northbound Only. |
| 2B | Naked Island | Naked Island | 60°40′00″ N; 147°05′00″ W | Southbound Only. |
| 3A | Bligh Reef | Bligh Reef Light (Pilot Embark) | 60°50′36″ N; 146°57′30″ W | Northbound Only. |
| 3B | Bligh Reef | Bligh Reef Light (Pilot Disembark) | 60°51′00″ N; 147°01′24″ W | Southbound Only. |
| 4A | Rocky Point | Rocky Point | 60°57′48″ N; 146°47′30″ W | Northbound Only. |
| 4B | Rocky Point | Rocky Point | 60°57′48″ N; 146°50′00″ W | Southbound Only. |
| 5 | Entrance Island | Entrance Island Light | 61°05′24″ N; 146°37′30″ W. |