Boat traffic banned from parts of Virginia waterways for a few days

The Coast Guard is temporarily closing specific parts of the lower Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads, and the Elizabeth River. This means boats cannot use these waterways during a series of events, including a tall ship gathering and fireworks.

The Coast Guard routinely issues temporary rules to manage marine traffic during large public events. This regulation is a standard safety measure to prevent collisions and protect people during a celebration involving many ships and spectators. It ensures a major public event can proceed without incident on crowded waterways.