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Fishing vessels operate near the Badger prior to its departure in fall 2024. Photo by Rob Alway.
LUDINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard will begin enforcing the regulated navigation area in Ludington Harbor at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, requiring recreational and commercial waterway users to maintain minimum distances from large vessels.
The Coast Guard announced Thursday that the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, is activating the regulated navigation area covering all navigable waters of the Ludington Harbor Ship Channel and Pere Marquette Lake, along with Lake Michigan waters within 1,000 yards of the Ludington Harbor entrance.
The regulation requires all vessels and waterway users to remain at least 440 yards — one-quarter mile — from the bow of any vessel more than 100 feet long while it is transiting the regulated area. Vessels must remain at least 100 yards from the stern and 35 yards from the port and starboard sides.
The restrictions apply to recreational boats, fishing vessels and other waterway users.
According to the Coast Guard, enforcement is necessary because of hazardous conditions caused by increased vessel traffic congestion. Federal regulations allow the Captain of the Port or a designated representative to impose the restrictions when hazardous levels of vessel congestion exist. Those conditions may include concentrations of recreational and commercial fishing vessels, pleasure boats, tow boats, commercial vessels, fishing tournaments, regattas and other marine activities.
The Ludington regulated navigation area was established by the Coast Guard in 2025 following concerns about smaller boats operating too close to large commercial vessels in the harbor and channel. The regulation went into effect last August. At the time, law enforcement officers and captains of the S.S. Badger had expressed concerns about boaters failing to give large vessels adequate room to maneuver.
Unlike last year’s establishment of the regulation, Tuesday’s action is an activation and enforcement of the existing regulated navigation area. The federal rule provides that the restrictions are enforced during periods when the Captain of the Port determines hazardous vessel traffic congestion exists.
Violators may face fines of up to $117,608 for each violation, in addition to other civil or criminal penalties, according to the Coast Guard.
Federal, state and local government vessels operating in an official capacity are exempt from the distance requirements. The regulation also allows the master, pilot or person directing a vessel to deviate from the restrictions during an emergency when necessary to protect people, property or the environment. Such deviations must be reported to the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 as soon as possible.
Questions about the regulated navigation area may be directed to the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan Command Center at 414-747-7182.
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