Coast Guard to establish Naval Vessel Protection Zone around USS Ted Stevens during Juneau visit

Ship set to arrive on Wednesday; block party scheduled downtown

A graphic depicting the boundary of the scheduled Naval Vessel Protection Zone around USS Ted Stevens. (Graphic provided by the U.S. Coast Guard)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

The Navy’s newest Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will have a 500-yard Naval Vessel Protection Zone during the ship’s visit to Juneau from Wednesday to Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard announced it's scheduled to establish this Naval Vessel Protection Zone (NVPZ) around USS Ted Stevens in accordance with federal regulations through an email Tuesday. The protection zone will be enforced upon the ship’s arrival in the Port of Juneau until its departure.  

This includes the ship’s transit of Gastineau Channel and its time moored at the cruise ship terminal dock.  

During this time, no vessel or person may enter the 100-yard exclusion zone around Ted Stevens without authorization from the Coast Guard or the senior naval officer present in command. 

"All vessels within the NVPZ must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course, unless required to maintain speed by the Navigation Rules, and must proceed as directed by the Coast Guard or the senior naval officer present in command," stated Travis Magee, a Coast Guard public affairs officer, in an email Tuesday.

Failure to comply is a violation of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to six years and seizure of the vessel.  

Vessels departing or approaching the Taku Fisheries Pier must coordinate with the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 before getting underway or entering the NVPZ.

All other vessels must coordinate with the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 to enter or exit the NVPZ, according to the notice issued Tuesday.

A Whittier resident waves an American flag to welcome the USS Ted Stevens to town on Sept. 27, 2026. The ship is the Navy’s newest Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea D. Daily/U.S. Navy)

The new warship was named for Alaska statesman Ted Stevens and commissioned in Whittier on Saturday to honor the late senator.

Juneau's events include a block party scheduled Thursday evening on Front Street.

The public party is free and set to include live music, artist booths and photo booths to welcome the ship to the capital city. The event is hosted by the Juneau Downtown Business Association, and sponsored by the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee and the Navy League of the United States.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.