triathlon, athlete safety is the highest concern. To address this, the Waterways Management Office office reviews the event safety plan and focuses on accounting for all swimmers and distressed swimmer recovery plans. Marine event sponsors are expected to contact the Command Center immediately if there are any reports of injury beyond first aid or less than 100 percent accountability for participat- ing members. This expectation is a stipulation of an issued Marine Event Permit and contrib- utes to safe recovery and quick response to unaccounted for or injured participants. The Coast Guard also partners closely with local law enforcement marine units for event safety coordination. They assist with communication of local emergency medical requirements and provide us with local area expertise for differ- ent events. Partnerships and Coordination Sector San Francisco cannot act alone and uses well-established internal and external part- nerships to accomplish its goals and keep the events on the Bay running smoothly. For events requir- ing on-scene Coast Guard oversight, such as enforcement of special local regulations, boat crews or a Coast Guard cutter may serve as the on-scene assets. These assets provide ready search and rescue platforms in case of an emergency while also preventing non-event participants from impeding the events. Vessel Traffic Service San Francisco is another actively involved internal partner. VTS is an around-the-clock watch of professional civilian and active duty military personnel who manage the transits of deep draft vessels, a multitude of ferry routes, and maintain awareness of marine events. They keep the Bay safe through vessel traffic monitoring and dissemination of information to waterway users. Using radar displays, multiple camera installations, and radio communication with vessels, the VTS acts as a preventative watch for more than 6,590 square miles of the San Francisco Bay and the Delta region. Rounding out the list of partnerships is the “Neptune Coalition,” which consists of local, state, and regional law enforcement agencies with maritime assets. During Fleet Week and Sail Grand Prix, Sector San Francisco coor- dinates with the Neptune Coalition to ensure enforce- ment of the SLRs and safety coverage of the events. Additionally, for other non-major marine events, these organizations may be asked to provide on-scene support. Conclusion Holding a marine event may start with the submission of Team USA surges ahead as a safety boat looks on during the 2022 Sail Grand Prix race in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Michael Carlson | Michael R. Photography an application, but it encompasses so much more. Without the efforts and coordination of the Coast Guard, VTS, local partners, event sponsors, and average waterway users, these types of exceptional events could not occur in a way that keeps the Bay safe for all who enjoy it. About the authors: LT William Harris is a prevention officer in the Waterways Manage- ment Division at Sector San Francisco. Prior to this assignment, he served as an apprentice marine inspector at Sector New Orleans. LT Harris entered the Coast Guard through the Direct Commission Officer program. LT Anthony Solares is a prevention officer in the Waterways Manage- ment Division at Sector San Francisco and serves as the Waterways Safety Branch chief. His previous assignments include Marine Safety Detachment Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Marine Safety Unit Portland, Ore- gon; and Sector Miami. He entered the Coast Guard through Officer Candidate School. MST1 Shannon Curtaz-Milian is the marine events coordinator for the Waterways Management Division at Sector San Francisco. She has pre- viously been stationed at Sectors New York and Miami, and on the Coast Guard Cutter Healy. She holds a bachelor’s in environmental and liberal studies from California State University, Sacramento. Endnotes: 1. U.S. Coast Guard, Commandant Instruction Manual 16751.3, Permitting of Regattas & Marine Parades, March 19, 2003, p. 1-4&1-5 2. U.S. Coast Guard, District 11 Instruction Manual 3120.1, Standard Operating Procedures, February 14, 2011, p. 7.1–63 3. Sally Lindsay Honey, Jim Corenman, et al, US Sailing Independent Review Panel Inquiry into the Low Speed Chase Capsize during the Full Crew Farallones Race on 14 April 2012, US Sailing, July 31, 2012, p. 4 4. Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.1105, San Francisco Bay Navy Fleetweek Parade of Ships and Blue Angels Demonstration, July 27, 2015 Summer 2023 Proceedings 73