Coast Guard to activate regulated navigation area in Ludington, Michigan

Courtesy Photo | A pleasure passenger vessel sits in the Ludington Harbor shipping channel on Lake Michigan in Michigan on August 24, 2025. The U.S. Coast Guard is activating a regulated navigation area covering all navigable waters of the Ludington Harbor Ship Channel and Pere Marquette Lake, as well as navigable waters of Lake Michigan. (Courtesy photo by Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones)  

LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES

08.13.2026

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mary Wysong 

U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes

Coast Guard to activate regulated navigation area in Ludington, Michigan

LUDINGTON, Mich. – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan is activating a regulated navigation area covering all navigable waters of the Ludington Harbor Ship Channel and Pere Marquette Lake as well as navigable waters of Lake Michigan within 1,000 yards of the Ludington Harbor entrance starting at 4 a.m. on Aug. 18.

Vessel operators and all waterway users must maintain a distance of at least 440 yards from the bow, 100 yards from the stern, and 35 yards from the port and starboard side of any vessel greater than 100 feet in length transiting through the regulated navigation area. This action is necessary to protect the safety of life, environment and property on these navigable waters due to hazardous conditions resulting from increased vessel traffic congestion.

This action is made in accordance with 33 CFR 165.972. Per 46 U.S.C. 70036, violators may be fined up to $117,608 for each violation, among other civil and/or criminal penalties.

Further inquiries may be made to Sector Lake Michigan at [phone] or mailto:[e-mail].

-USCG-

• Date Taken: 08.13.2026
• Date Posted: 08.13.2026 16:17
• Story ID: 572373
• Location: LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN, US