Defence department restricts Halifax Harbour access near McNabs Island

The Department of National Defence is restricting public access to a stretch of Halifax Harbour near McNabs Island over the next several days.

The Department of National Defence is restricting public access to a stretch of Halifax Harbour near McNabs Island for the safety of a visiting vessel over the next 10 days.

The department says security boats will patrol the Shearwater Controlled Access Zone in the harbour for any recreational watercraft or people until April 24. Anyone who enters or exits the zone without permission may have to submit to a search of their person or property.

Emergency services will not be affected by this measure, according to the department.

“Government of Canada-ordered Controlled Access Zones exist in several locations within Halifax Harbour,” a news release from the department reads. “The purpose of these buffer zones is to protect the safety and security of Royal Canadian Navy ships and visiting forces’ vessels as well as Department of National Defence (DND) facilities and Defence Team personnel who operate within these zones.

“Access to these zones may be restricted and/or blocked as required due to force protection/security requirements.”

The department is also restricting remotely piloted aircrafts, including micro-drones from entering the airspace in the vicinity of Lower Shearwater until 8:59 p.m. on April 24.

“Watercraft and drone operators are to respect the visiting nation’s unique safety and security requirements by keeping their boats and drones a safe distance from the vessel as it transits through Halifax Harbour,” the release reads. “DND security boats will be escorting the vessel during transit.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page