Where are warming shots not permitted within the operational area?

Warming shots are typically allowed only in designated operational areas where safety and clarity are maintained. Inside the Key Bridge, due to its status as a crucial transportation and navigational structure, presents high risks for both marine traffic and shore-side activities. The Key Bridge is a busy location frequented by vessels of all sizes; thus, discharging warming shots in this area could create serious hazards and lead to unintended consequences, such as accidents involving commercial and recreational vessels.

In contrast, locations like the Chesapeake Bay, military bases, and navigational buoys may have prescribed guidelines or practices for warming shots, allowing for their use under specific conditions or precautions. However, inside the Key Bridge, the combination of heavy traffic, proximity to residential and commercial areas, and the potential for significant disruption clearly establishes it as a place where such actions are prohibited to ensure safety and operational integrity.