Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending can RSVP by emailing D5PublicAffairs@uscg.mil by Friday June 6 by 9 a.m. and plan to arrive no later than 1:15 p.m., Friday.
What: Media is invited to Harborfest 2025, where they will take a brief boat ride to a Coast Guard vessel to interview a Coast Guard spokesperson.
Who: Capt. Peggy Britton, commander, Coast Guard Sector Virginia
When: Friday, June 6, 2025, 1:15 p.m.
Where: Town Point Park 333 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, VA 23510 to embark on a vessel and transit across Elizabeth River to USCGC Kennebec (WLIC 802).
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is scheduled to participate in Norfolk Harborfest 2025, which runs June 6-8 at Town Point Park, at the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront.
Norfolk Harborfest is a maritime festival run in partnership between national, state and local organizations to encourage public boating safety.
The crew of USCGC Sailfish (WPB 87356) will be participating in the Parade of Sail June 6 at noon. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City will be conducting a search and rescue demonstration Friday at 2:45 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Crews from Coast Guard stations Portsmouth, Milford Haven, and Wachapregue will be conducting safety patrols and enforcing a safety zone during the event.
Historically, Norfolk Harborfest draws thousands of vessels and visitors to the Norfolk waterfront. This year’s event expects to draw a large number of spectator vessels in the vicinity of Town Point Reach.
To assist in maintaining a safe waterway, Coast Guard Sector Virginia crews, along with regional partners, are scheduled to enforce a safety zone limiting the use of the Elizabeth River Channel June 6-8.
Waterway closures will be in effect during the following dates and times:
- June 6: 2:30-3:15 p.m. during a search and rescue demonstration
- June 6: 9:15-9:45 p.m. during a drone show, weather permitting
- June 7: 1:15-2 p.m. during a search and rescue demonstration
- June 7: 4:15-5:30 p.m. during a tug muster
- June 7: 9-10 p.m. during the fireworks show, weather permitting
In the event of inclement weather waterway closures will be in effect:
- June 8: 8:30-9:30 p.m. during the fireworks show
During these times, vessels are not permitted to enter the regulated area. Operators must stop their vessel immediately upon being directed to do so and must proceed as directed by first responders. Sector Virginia can be contacted on VHF Channel 13 and will be announcing Marine Safety Information Broadcasts (MSIB) on VHF Channel 16.
Waterway closures information can be found in MSIBs 037-25 and 048-25.
From June 6 until the event is completed on June 8, buoys will mark a special spectator anchorage for boaters to view on-water exhibitions such as search and rescue demonstrations and fireworks displays. The anchorage will be west of the channel across from Town Point Park and will include all waters north of the Freedom Boat Club Marina and south of Scott Creek between the shores of the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and on the west side of the Elizabeth River between Portsmouth and Norfolk.
Mariners are requested to use extreme caution when transiting Town Point Reach throughout the festival. Mariners leaving the spectator anchorage are urged to maintain a vigilant lookout for other boaters in the area, energize navigation lights at night, and maintain low speeds to avoid accidents.
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