National Marine Sanctuaries are protected areas, administered by NOAA which contain abundant and diverse natural resources such as marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, and tidepool invertebrates. These areas are particularly sensitive to environmental damage such as spills of oil and other hazardous materials, discharges, and groundings. Exercise particular caution and follow applicable Sanctuary regulations when transiting these areas to avoid environmental impacts. A full description of Sanctuary regulations may be found in 15 CFR Part 922 and in Coast Pilot.

Navigation regulations are published in Chapter 2, U.S. Coast Pilot 7. Additions or revisions to Chapter 2 are published in the Notice to Mariners. Information concerning the regulations may be obtained at the Office of the Commander, 11th Coast Guard District in Alameda, California or at the Office of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers in San Francisco, California. Refer to charted regulation section numbers.