Coast Guard 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is canceling the temporary deviation concerning the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois due to work scheduling issues and has been postponed to a later date.

The Coast Guard is amending several permanent safety zones located in the Eleventh Coast Guard District that are established to protect public safety during annual firework displays. These amendments will standardize the safety zone language, update listed events, delete events that are no longer occurring, add new annual fireworks events, and establish a standardized format using a table to list these recurring annual fireworks events. When these safety zones are activated, and thus subject to enforcement, this rule will limit the movement of vessels within the established firework display area.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around the blasting and dredging project taking place in Portland Harbor between Portland and South Portland, Maine. This safety zone is required to protect users of the waterway from the safety hazards associated with this blasting and dredging project, which is being undertaken to increase the water depth of the main channel to 35 feet. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Northern New England.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the operation of the Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge, across the Cape Fear River, mile 26.8, at Wilmington, NC. The deviation is necessary to restrict the operation of the draw span to facilitate the biannual inspections.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the draw of the Norfolk Southern 5 Railroad Bridge, across the Elizabeth River Eastern Branch, mile 1.1, at Norfolk, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the replacement of 189 bridge ties and the reworking of the moveable rail joints on the Norfolk Southern 5 Railroad drawbridge. This temporary deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed to navigation position.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that governs the St. Ann swing bridge across Terrebonne Bayou, mile 28.8, at Bourg, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The change will allow the bridge to operate on signal if at least 24 hours advanced notice is given. This change increases the efficiency of operations allowing for the safe navigation of vessels through the bridge while recognizing the low volume of vessel traffic through the bridge.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the San Joaquin County highway bridge, across Bishop Cut, mile 1.0 near Stockton, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow PG&E Company to temporarily interrupt electric service to the area while installing new overhead equipment. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the deviation period.

The Coast Guard announces the availability, in the docket, of two draft policy letters for which it seeks public comment. The first draft policy letter provides voluntary guidance for liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel transfer operations on vessels using natural gas as fuel in U.S. waters, and training of personnel on those vessels. It recommends transfer and personnel training measures that we believe will achieve a level of safety that is at least equivalent to that provided for traditional fueled vessels. It would apply to vessels equipped to receive LNG for use as fuel, but not to vessels carrying LNG as cargo that use boil-off gas as fuel. The second draft policy letter discusses voluntary guidance and existing regulations applicable to vessels and waterfront facilities conducting LNG marine fuel transfer (bunkering) operations. The second draft policy letter provides voluntary guidance on safety, security, and risk assessment measures we believe will ensure safe LNG bunkering operations. We request your comments on these draft policy letters before signature and public release.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Hwy 160 drawbridge across Three Mile Slough, mile 0.1, at Rio Vista, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow California Department of Transportation to replace the steel deck of the bridge lift span. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the deviation period.

The U.S. Coast Guard is confirming the changes made to the restricted anchorage areas of San Nicolas Island, California. A direct final rule detailing the changes was published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2013, (78 FR 67300). We received no adverse comments in response to the direct final rule, therefore, the rule will go into effect as scheduled.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations during the ``Oxford-Bellevue Sharkfest Swim'', a marine event to be held on the waters of the Tred Avon River on May 10, 2014. 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 Tred Avon River during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent safety zone on the navigable waters of Port Valdez within a 200-yard radius of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Port Valdez Ferry Terminal. The purpose of the safety zone is to restrict all vessels except AMHS vessels from entering within 200-yards of the AMHS Port Valdez Ferry Terminal whenever an AMHS ferry is underway within 200 yards of the terminal and there is a declared Commercial Salmon Fishery Opener. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life, property and the environment during periods of vessel traffic congestion during a declared Commercial Salmon Fishery Opener.

The Coast Guard, at Sector Houston-Galveston, announces receipt of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Waterways Suitability Assessment (WSA) for two separate proposed construction projects expanding existing Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG) facilities in Houston, Texas. The LOI and WSA were submitted by Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) and Vopak. The Coast Guard is notifying the public of this action to solicit public comments on the proposed expansion of Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG) facilities, as defined by 33 CFR 127.005.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in all navigable waters of the Captain of the Port Baltimore Zone. The temporary safety zone restricts vessels from transiting the zone during the effective period, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with ice in the navigable waterways.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the SR 57 drawbridge across the Dulac Bayou, mile 0.6, at Dulac, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary in order to conduct repair and replacement of parts associated with the wedge-drive system hydraulic unit. These repairs are essential for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily closed to navigation for 20 consecutive days with three openings per day during daylight to facilitate the movement of vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the LA 315 drawbridge across the Falgout Canal, mile 3.1, in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary in order to conduct repair and replacement of parts associated with the wedge-drive system hydraulic unit. These repairs are essential for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily closed to navigation for 20 consecutive days with three openings per day during daylight to facilitate the movement of vessel traffic.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of a revision to the following collections of information: 1625-0057, Small Passenger VesselsTitle 46 Subchapters K and T and 1625-0064, Plan Approval and Records for Subdivision and Stability RegulationsTitle 46 CFR Subchapter S. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting these ICRs to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Hillsborough Avenue Bridge across the Hillsborough River, mile 4.8, at Tampa, Florida, to facilitate repairs. The deviation is necessary to provide repair personnel the time needed to safely remove equipment on the bridge prior to opening. This deviation allows the bridge a limited opening providing 20 feet of vertical clearance if four hours advanced notice is given. Special arrangements with the bridge owner can be made for full openings.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone within the Lake Moolvalya region of the navigable waters of the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona in support of the Blue Water Resort and Casino (BWRC) and Arizona Drag Boat Association Southwest Showdown Three high speed boat race. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

On December 2, 2013, the Coast Guard issued a temporary deviation, lasting approximately 10 weeks, from the operating schedule that governs the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. This temporary deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given. It is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter and when there is less impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river traffic increases. We are modifying that temporary deviation to allow for two three-day periods during the deviation when the bridge will remain in the closed-to- navigation position.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone encompassing certain waters of the Potomac River and Anacostia River. This action is necessary to safeguard persons and property, and prevent terrorist acts or incidents. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to depart the security zone, unless specifically exempt under the provisions in this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Christina River in Wilmington, DE, from January 18, 2014 to January 31, 2014, to be enforced for a period of 48 hours within this time frame. The safety zone will restrict vessel traffic on the Christina River in the immediate area of the M/V OCEAN FORCE, which will be moored inside a boundary described as originating from 39[deg]43'14'' N, 075[deg]31'41'' W; northeasterly to 39[deg]43'17'' N, 75[deg]31'40'' W; then east to 39[deg]43'15'' N, 075[deg]31'47'' W; then southwesterly to the shoreline at 39[deg]43'10'' N; 075[deg]31'30'' W. The safety zone is intended to facilitate 24 hour cargo operations in which a 110 ft object will be offloaded from the vessel to the facility. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the Christina River. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement to ensure the safety of the vessels and personnel involved with the cargo operation.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Upper New York Bay in the vicinity of Ellis Island, New York for a fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This rulemaking is intended to restrict all vessels from a portion of The Upper New York Bay before, during, and immediately after the fireworks event.

In 1999, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century made $5 million per year available for the 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. This notice specifies the funding amounts the Coast Guard has committed, obligated, or expended during fiscal year 2013, as of September 30, 2013.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary moving safety zone on the waters of Charleston Harbor, in Charleston, South Carolina during the Charleston Sharkfest Swim on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The Charleston Sharkfest Swim is a 1500 meter swimming race. The safety zone is necessary for the safety of the swimmers, participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the swim. Persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.