Coast Guard to Boaters: Stay Away From America's Cup Racers

The Coast Guard has restrictions in effect for the America's Cup.

Keep your distance. Keep yourself safe.

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning recreational boaters to stay away from the "restricted area" of San Francisco Bay reserved for the America's Cup racing catamarans, the San Francisco Appeal online newspaper reported.

The 45-foot twin-hulled racing boats will fly in a roughly oval-shaped area in front of Marina Green, according to reports. This area will be marked by "large red flags" flying from Coast Guard vessels. This means keep away.

Boaters can stay outside of the restricted areas to their ships' content. The restrictions are in effect every day from 1 p.m to 4 p.m., except for Sunday, when the restrictions begin at 11:45 a.m. for earlier racing, the newspaper reported.

Spectators heading to the World Series are  encouraged to walk, bus, bike or take a ferry to the sailing competition.

Thousands of viewers are expected to arrive in San Francisco this  week to watch the races, which run through Sunday.

The Bay Area transportation online resource, 511, features a  special section on its website designed to help America's Cup spectators find  transportation to the races. The special section can be viewed at  511.org/AmericasCup.

Among the tools provided is a specially marked transit map  highlighting America's Cup weekend transit services. The map indicates where  Muni, Golden Gate Transit and PresidiGo shuttles connect to BART, Caltrain  and ferries.   

Free valet bike parking will be offered at the America's Cup  Village on the Marina Green, and bike maps are available on the 511 website.
   
Bay City News contributed to this report.
 

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us