Additional restrictions on the operation of pleasure craft in waters around Martha's Vineyard have been ordered by the Coast Guard as of last Friday. The regulations are issued by the Captain of the Port at Newport and are unique in the fact that they have been made public in any written or printed form. The substance of the restrictions has been ascertained from the Coast Guard, however, and charts with the restricted areas marked, are accessible at both Vineyard Haven and Edgartown.

Vineyard Sound, historically one of the most used waterways of America, is closed to pleasure craft; although .permits may be obtained for boats to enter from ,the east and proceed as far as Norton's Point, which means roughly as far as Makonikey, on the Vineyard side. The Elizabeth Islands may not be approached either on the Sound or the Bay side, and Tarpaulin Cove, the ancient anchorage and resort of coasting craft is barred.

Although this restriction comes to virtually all Islanders as something new, it has to all intents and purposes been in effect for some time, according to the Coast Guard. That is, restrictions on the waters between Noman's Land and Block Island have been such as to close the entrance to the Sound from the west, although the impression here is that boats classed as pleasure craft have used the Sound consistently.

Fishing Vessels Spared

There is nothing in the restrictions which places any added prohibition or difficulty in the way of fishing vessels. Fishermen may come and go as before, making the same use of the Sound and entering and leaving Menemsha Creek. No pleasure craft may, however, use or reach Menemsha Creek for the duration.

The regulations are said to be based upon actual hazard, in view of the variety and scope of the naval activities being parried on hereabouts, and because if they were not enforced there would be "unwarranted interference with the war effort."

As to the hazard, it is understood that fishermen can be safeguarded and allowed their usual movements, but the unrestricted movement of pleasure craft could not be permitted without sacrifice of important war considerations.

The regulations do raft add to the prohibited areas previously promulgated by the Secretary of War, and are not closed areas in this sense.

At the same time that movement of pleasure craft is curtailed, they are allowed greater freedom of movement in certain local areas, notably in what is called Nantucket Sound.

This general permit area is bounded on the west by a line drawn due north from West Chop to a point just east of the entrance to Falmouth harbor. On the eastern side it is bounded by a line drawn from the southernmost tip of Monomoy Point to Handkerchief Light vessel and then to Great Point Light on Nantucket, thence joining the Vineyard in back of Cape Pogue. In the region between these bounds, yachting and sailing are allowed in daylight hours without any individual permit or restriction.

A specific movement license may be allowed for a pleasure boat to proceed into Vineyard Sound as far as Norten's Point, and permits may be obtained for the passage of yachts and other craft from one permanent port to anehorage to another. Thus, it is explained there is no financial burden placed upon the owner of any craft. In addition to the closing of Vilneyard Sound, Muskeget Channel has been blocked, but steps are being taken to alter this last restriction.

As to Woods Hole

Special permits will be necessary for, pleasure craft to pass through Woods Hole. Generally speaking, the blanket license area allows boats to go out of Vineyard Haven, Edgartown or Nantucket to any other of these ports and to the Falmouth shore. Although Falmouth harbor is in the restricted area, a boat might be able to make it. With individual permits boats may go to Falmouth, through Woods Hole to New Bedford, toward the Cape Cod canal opening, and in the Bay a short distance westerly, but not near the Islands.

The port captain's office: said that such permits would not be granted to sailing craft, for the reason that they might be caught in the tides, and drift into closed areas from which they would have to be towed out. But in general the policy will be to allow the permits to auxiliary craft..

As to the closed area at Cape Pogue which has caused Edgartown fishermen great concern, it is said that the bombing practiced will not be of a nature to disturb the bottom and that no damage to the shellfish beds is anticipated. An effort has been made to close as little of the shellfishing area as possible, and only about one fifth is included in the closed area.