MARCH 31, 2026 — Coast Guard and partner agency crews are scheduled to support NASA’s Artemis II launch beginning Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
Coast Guard crews are scheduled to apply and enforce limited access areas for the launch, which include a security zone, regulated navigation area and a safety zone, to mitigate safety risks to the maritime public and to protect launch infrastructure.
During the Artemis II launch, the Coast Guard’s main priorities are to ensure the safety of the public, astronauts and the marine transportation system in the event of a space vehicle malfunction, and to reduce the risk of mission interference.
Mariners must remain clear of Coast Guard limited access areas when established. To make inquiries about limited access areas or to request approval to transit through or remain within a limited access area, mariners should hail the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Beyond the Coast Guard limited access areas, it is recommended that all mariners remain clear of the launch hazard area for their safety until after a successful rocket launch. The launch hazard area is the area of water along the planned rocket flight trajectory in which hazardous conditions may be present in event of a space vehicle malfunction. These hazards may include free falling debris and descending vehicles or vehicle components under various means of control, which could cause injury, death, and damage to vessels.
Detailed launch information is available on the day of launch by contacting the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 and 81A or through the U.S. Space Force Launch Information hotline at 1-800-470-7232. For navigational safety, mariners are advised to refer to the geospatial chart at www.navcen.uscg.gov/chart and the applicable District Southeast broadcast notice to mariners at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/broadcast-notice-to-mariners for information on Space Launch and Recovery Operations.
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