Coast Guard Approves Mackinac Anchor Ban

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mackinacbridge4-9

From the Associated Press — The U.S. Coast Guard says ships can’t drop anchor in the Straits of Mackinac unless they have permission. The area between Michigan’s two peninsulas has an oil pipeline, known as Line 5, as well as electrical cables. The Coast Guard says the goal is to prevent damage to the lines from anchors. There is an exception to the no-anchor zone in case of emergency. The policy starts October 31 and covers ships that are at least 131 feet long. The rule was published October 1 in the Federal Register. The legislature is working on a similar ban. Governor Rick Snyder in May approved an emergency rule barring anchors in the waterway, after a tugboat anchor struck
oil and electrical lines and caused an insulation spill.