1. Retrieve as much tow wire as current weather condition permits before you exit the traffic lane, prior to entering the Precautionary Zone.

2. Upon entering the Precautionary Zone man the wheelhouse for traffic congestion and prepare to apply as much throttle as condition permits to lift tow gear from sea floor.

3. At approx 3.5 miles from Federal Breakwater (see co-ordinates below) apply throttle to lift gear. Keep applied until well past 3 mile mark.

These co-ordinates are points along two lines at three and three and ½ mile from the Federal Breakwater. The nets span parallel too and between these lines.

(View Chart)

a. Three and one half mile co-ordinates marked 1, 2 and 3 on chart

1.      33 38’ 45”, 118 16’ 00”

2.      33 39’ 90”, 118 11’ 70”

3.      33 39’ 90”, 118 08’ 00”

b. Three mile co-ordinates 4, 5 and 6 on chart

4.   33 39’ 00”,  118 16’ 00”

5.   33 40’ 40”, 118 11’ 70”

6.   33 40’ 40”,   118 08’00”

Make final wire retrieval after passing the Sea Buoy.

Departure:

1. Leave LA/LB harbors with the minimum wire out for current sea conditions.

2. After passing Sea Buoy prepare to apply as much throttle as condition permits to lift tow gear off of sea floor between the three mile and three and one half mile co-ordinates included above.

3. At approx 3 miles from Federal Breakwater, apply throttle to lift gear. Keep applied until well past 3.5 mile mark.

The local fisherman in the LA/LB area set nets parallel to the Federal Breakwater between three and three and one half miles out.

Gill nets come in two configurations: Drift and Bottom. Bottom Gill nets are marked with a black flag on each end, and the fish boat can be at either end. The net is on the sea floor and up to ten feet. These nets can be greater than 1500 feet long.

The second kind of net is Drift Gill net. These nets are marked by a radar reflector on one end and the fishing boat on the other. They are floating six feet to 36’ below the surface of the sea. A line of floats should be visible. They can be over 4000- 5500 feet long.

See these diagrams for net types and additional information:

1. Bottom Gill Net/Set Gill Net

2. Drift Gill Net

3. Tug and Barges / Normal Conditions, Underway at Sea

4. Tug and Barge at Sea / Close-up View

5. Tug and Tow at Sea / "Normal Conditions," Single Barge

6. Chart of Tug Lanes

Check with VTIS for Fishing boat traffic prior to entering LA/LB Precautionary Zone