Coast Guard 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of Snake Creek Bridge, mile 0.5, across Snake Creek, in Islamorada, Florida. The regulation is set forth in 33 CFR 117.331. The deviation is necessary due to the high volume of vehicle traffic anticipated during the Annual Nautical Flea Market, which will be held in Islamorada, Florida on February 25, 2012 and February 26, 2012. The deviation will result in the bridge only opening to navigation at the top of the hour from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily on February 25, 2012 and February 26, 2012. At all other times on February 25, 2012 and February 26, 2012, the bridge will open on demand.

The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) is designed to facilitate the periodic testing of oil spill response plans of certain vessels and facilities. The Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and Department of the Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) are working to revise the PREP Guidelines to reflect changes to regulations, agency reorganizations, and lessons learned from past preparedness activities and recent response activities. The PREP Guidelines were last revised in 2002. This notice solicits comments and suggestions for updating the PREP Guidelines.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Tower Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 59.0, at Sacramento, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the community to participate in the 8th Annual Shamrock Half Marathon. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the event.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone in the vicinity of the South shores of Lake Pontchartrain adjacent to the East bank of the Lakefront Airport runways in New Orleans, Louisiana. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with high- speed aerobatic displays by the participants of the 1812 Blue Angels Air Show, during the War of 1812 Commemoration.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in support of the Mavericks Surf Competition. This temporary safety zone will establish a temporary safety zone in vicinity of Pillar Point in the navigable waters of Half Moon Bay, California. The regulation will temporarily restrict vessel traffic in vicinity of Pillar Point and prohibit vessels not participating in the surfing event from entering the dedicated surfing area and the hazardous waters surrounding Pillar Point. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the surfing competition.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the Kinnickinnic River due to the petroleum cleanup efforts. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect the surrounding public and vessels from the hazards associated with the removal of petroleum product from this area of the Kinnickinnic River.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Blair Waterway Security Zone in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington from 6 a.m. on February 17, 2012, through 11:59 p.m. on February 21, 2012, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. This action is necessary for the security of Department of Defense assets and military cargo in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. During the enforcement period, this security zone will exclude persons and vessels from the immediate vicinity of these facilities during military cargo loading and unloading operations. In addition, the regulation establishes requirements for all vessels to obtain permission of the COTP or Designated Representative, including the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), to enter, move within, or exit this security zone when they are enforced. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless otherwise exempted or excluded or unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Fruitvale Avenue Drawbridge across Oakland Inner Harbor, mile 5.6, between the cities of Alameda and Oakland, Alameda County, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the County of Alameda Public Works Agency to perform seismic retrofitting on the drawbridge. This deviation allows the bridge owner to secure the drawspan in the closed- to-navigation position during the project.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish two temporary safety zones in the navigable waters of the East Passage, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, during the America's Cup World Series sailing vessel racing event. This safety zone is intended to safeguard mariners from the hazards associated with high-speed, high-performance sailing vessels competing in America's Cup-class races on the waters of the East Passage, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Vessels will be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within these safety zones during the effective period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Southeastern New England.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations during the ``Potomac River Sharkfest Swim'' amateur swim, a marine event to be held on the waters of the Potomac River on June 2, 2012. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Potomac River during the event.

The Coast Guard announces the release of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104-6 (Rev 6). This Directive only applies to U.S.- flagged vessels subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) on international voyages through or in designated high risk waters, and provides additional counter-piracy guidance and mandatory measures for these vessels operating in these areas where acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships are prevalent. MARSEC Directive 104-6 (Rev 6) also includes an annex that provides specific direction for vessels operating around the Horn of Africa. Although MARSEC Directives are designated Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and are not subject to public release, a non-SSI version of this directive is available.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee. This Committee advises the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on matters and actions concerning activities directly involved with or in support of the exploration of offshore mineral and energy resources insofar as they relate to matters within Coast Guard jurisdiction.

In 1999, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century made $5 million per year available to the Secretary of Homeland Security for payment of Coast Guard expenses for personnel and activities directly related to coordinating and carrying out the national recreational boating safety program. In 2005, the law was amended, and the amount was increased to $5.5 million. The Coast Guard is publishing this notice to satisfy a requirement of the Act that a detailed accounting of the projects, programs, and activities funded under the national recreational boating safety program provision of the Act be published annually in the Federal Register. In this notice, we have specified the funding amounts the Coast Guard has committed, obligated, or expended during fiscal year 2011, as of September 30, 2011.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the State Route 56 swing bridge across Boudreaux Canal, mile 0.1, near Chauvin, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to perform structural repairs on the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation for 30 days during March and April 2012.