PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – Boaters soon will have a new written set of anti-terrorism rules in New Hampshire’s Seacoast.

Within the next few weeks, the state Marine Patrol will become the first agency to publish the new rules of the water governing security zones around the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, bridges, gas tankers, naval vessels and petroleum facilities in Newington.

Marine Patrol Captain Mark Gallagher said the agency will soon have 100,00 revised boater guide books for boaters.

Last year, boaters and fishermen ended up learning what was off limits more through trial and error rather than through any organized education or public outreach programs.

Marine Patrol Capt. Mark Gallagher said the guides would be available at boat shows, bait and tackle shops, lake associations and from Marine Patrol officers.

Gallagher hopes the revised guides will make the job of his officers easier and allow boaters to have a much more enjoyable timer.

The Coast Guard, Marine Patrol and Department of Defense Police patrol boats are all ready to enforce the rules in their coverage areas.

Deb White, public affairs officer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, said fishermen and recreational boaters still must stay at least 100 yards away from submarines at the shipyard.

Last year, several fishermen said they were often caught off guard by officials who gave them conflicting instructions about how far they needed to be from the yard or Navy vessels and whether they could stop under bridges to fish or if they could drift and troll.

The Coast Guard said it received many complaints.

After his 17-foot fishing boat was confronted by Marine Patrol and DOD patrol boats near the bridges and the shipyard several times last summer, Bob Caldwell of Durham thought the solution was obvious. The 62-year-old fisherman thought a lot of problems could have been solved if the agencies posted buoys or markers to show boaters the perimeter they needed to respect. That has not been done, he said.

Jim McKenzie, 60, of Greenland, another avid fisherman who owns the Suds & Soda convenience store that sells bait and tackle in Greenland, believes more fishermen have accepted their fate on the river.

“There’s still griping of course, but now they are more used to it because it has become a way of life,” McKenzie said.

Not only have the fishermen accepted the tighter security, but they have also given up on the idea that they will ever be able to fish on the river or by the bridges the way they used to, McKenzie said.

AP-ES-06-22-03 1631EDT

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