AA.I.H.K8FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Knowledge
Naval vessel protection zones.
Naval vessel protection zones.
Bottom line
Naval vessel protection zone is a 500-yard regulated area of water surrounding large U.S. naval vessels that is necessary to provide for the safety or security of these U.S. naval vessels. Large U.S. naval vessel means any U.S. naval vessel greater than 100 feet in length overall. When within a naval vessel protection zone, no vessel or person is allowed within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel unless authorized by the Coast Guard, the senior naval officer present in command, or official patrol.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 500 yards around large U.S. naval vessels | Zone size |
| greater than 100 feet in length overall | Large vessel |
| 100 yards from a large U.S. naval vessel, unless authorized | Keep-out radius |
| VHF-FM channel 16 | Request channel |
FAA references
- 33 CFR 165.2015 (Definitions) — eCFR current through 2026-10-30, retrieved 2026-11-03
- 33 CFR 165.2025 (Atlantic Area) — eCFR current through 2026-10-30, retrieved 2026-11-03
- 33 CFR 165.2010 (Purpose) — eCFR current through 2026-10-30, retrieved 2026-11-03
Build understanding you can use
Unlock the full lesson and continue studying this element.
- Full teaching sections: What it is; Key points; Rules and numbers; How it is done
- Check your understanding with answers you can reveal
- Common mistakes paired with the FAA facts that correct them