East River traffic restricted during UN session
The U.S. Coast Guard has increased security in the East River around the United Nations headquarters, located on the East River at East 43rd Street.
The action was requested by the U.S. Secret Service to protect visiting dignitaries during the UN General Assembly session and the 62nd anniversary celebration, Sept. 22-Oct. 5.
The security zone includes all waters of the East River, from East 35th Street, to the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge.
A permanent security zone has restricted vessel traffic within 175 yards of Manhattan since Sept. 11, 2001. Now the Coast Guard has closed the West Channel and is requiring commercial and recreational vessels to use the East Channel of the river, passing east of Roosevelt Island.
No commercial or recreational traffic is allowed in the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge except city sludge vessels and commercial passenger vessels with Coast Guard Patrol Commander approval. Commercial passenger vessels will be escorted through the zone along the eastern shoreline at the commander's discretion.