The Coast Guard with state and federal agencies is enforcing tight security zones on waters around New York City this week for the United Nations General Assembly meeting Dept. 22- Sept. 28.
The 79th annual meeting brings representatives from nearly 200 nations to the UN campus on New York’s East River. Coast Guard officials say month of preparation go into security arrangements.
“The UN General Assembly is the world’s largest diplomatic gathering, and the U.S. Coast Guard plays an important role in this whole-of-government approach to ensure the safety and security of all leaders involved,” said Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, the Coast Guard Sector New York commander. “The Coast Guard and its partners are dedicated to establishing the best possible safety and security measures, while simultaneously keeping commerce flowing in the Nation’s most critical marine transportation system.”
The Coast Guard’s primary role during the assembly will be focused on port security and maintaining waterside security through the enforcement of waterside security zones.
Coast Guard units include Sector New York, cutters Katherine Walker, William Chadwick, Sturgeon Bay, and Bonito; small boat crews from stations New York, Sandy Hook and Kings Point; Air Station Cape Cod; various Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and Maritime Security Response Team East to ensure maritime safety and security for the visiting dignitaries.
The effort includes partner agencies like the U.S. Secret Service, NYPD, FDNY, NYC Emergency Management, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Parks Police, Nassau County Police Department, and New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police.
The security zones began Sept. 22 and continue through Sept. 28, including all waters of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge. Exact closure periods will be broadcast daily by USCG Sector New York and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) New York. For additional information, it is recommended that mariners reference Coast Guard Advisory Notice 2024-022.
