VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION
"PERTAINING TO THE USE OF PATENT TONGS"
REGULATION 4 VAC 20-520-10 ET SEQ.
PREAMBLE
This regulation prohibits the use of patent tongs in the vicinity of the electrical cables supporting the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.
This regulation is promulgated pursuant to the authority contained in §28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia. This regulation amends and re-adopts previous Regulation 450-01-0067 which was adopted October 23, 1990 and effective November 1, 1990. The effective date of this regulation is July 1, 1995.
4 VAC 20-520-10. Purpose.
In the past there have been numerous incidents of patent tongs used by clam fisherman disrupting electrical service to the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge by severing or damaging submerged electrical cabling adjacent to the bridge. The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit damage to the bridge cables and fishermen and their gear and thereby maintain the general public welfare and safety in the seafood industry.
4 VAC 20-520-20. Area closed to patent tonging.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a patent tong under any portion of the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a patent tong within 300 feet of the eastern or downstream side of the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a patent tong on the western or upstream side of the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge within a 400 foot radius of the two center caissons, numbered 1S and 1N.
4 VAC 20-520-30. Penalty.
As set forth in § 28.2-903 of the Code of Virginia, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a prior violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
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