New England Port Access Route Study Map in Maritime Theme

Users can access the Port Access Route Study: Approaches to Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts map layer by clicking on the “USCG Proposed Areas and Studies” dropdown in the Maritime theme. The collection also includes maps showing the boundaries of four other port access route studies that are currently being conducted or were recently completed along the Mid-Atlantic coast and various routing measures that have been proposed by them to date.

The Coast Guard is requesting public comment on the impacts to navigation in the area of study resulting from factors such as offshore development, increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty. Follow the instructions in the Federal Register Notice to submit comments by May 16, 2022.

The notice that the Coast Guard is conducting the MNMPARS was posted in the Federal Register on March 31, 2022. The Coast Guard is conducting the MNMPARS to evaluate the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and determine whether additional vessel routing measures are necessary for port approaches to Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and international and domestic transit areas in the First Coast Guard District area of responsibility. The MNMPARS will consider whether existing or additional routing measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and planned improvements, increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty. Vessel routing measures, which include traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas, and areas to be avoided, are implemented to reduce risk of marine casualties. The recommendations of the study may subsequently be implemented through rulemakings or in accordance with international agreements. View the Federal Register Notice for additional background information about the need for a study and the process to conduct the study.