Coast Guard 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the US 50 Bridge, over Isle of Wight (Sinepuxent) Bay, mile 0.5, Ocean City, MD. This rule changes the language of the regulation to reflect new closure times to accommodate heavy volumes of vehicular traffic following the annual July 4th fireworks show.

The Coast Guard published a direct final rule and request for comments on April 8, 2014, removing the Snake Island Safety Zone, also known as Shoal Point, within the Texas City Channel. We did not receive any adverse comments or any notices of intent to submit an adverse comment. Therefore, the rule will go into effect as scheduled to remove the existing regulation because it places general restrictions on vessels which are no longer necessary.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. The Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security on various matters relating to the safe operation of commercial fishing industry vessels.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for the waters of the Tennessee River beginning at mile marker 464.0 and ending at mile marker 465, extending bank to bank. This zone is necessary to protect participants of the ``Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon'' during the swim portion of the event. Entry into this area is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Ohio Valley or designated representative.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) and its subcommittees will meet on August 19, 20, and 21, 2014, in Arlington, VA, to discuss the safe and secure marine transportation of hazardous materials. The meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a draft change to Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-13, Inspection and Certification of Vessels Under the Maritime Security Program (MSP). The MSP serves as a means for establishing a fleet of commercially viable and militarily useful vessels to meet national defense as well as other security requirements. NVIC 01-13 provides guidance to assist vessel owners/operators, Authorized Classification Societies, and Coast Guard personnel with the inspection and certification of vessels under the MSP. This draft change clarifies the process for the issuance of the Certificate of Documentation (COD) to the vessel during the reflag process, adds a note to the equivalency provisions for inspection of MSP vessels subsequent to initial certification, clarifies the trial period requirements for automated systems in machinery spaces, includes interim provisions for those vessels seeking to operate with minimally attended or periodically unattended machinery spaces, and makes other non-technical changes to NVIC 01-13. This notice solicits public comment on the impact of the draft change to NVIC 01-13 on applicable vessels and other affected parties.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Delta Independence Day Celebration Fireworks in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility during the dates and times noted below. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Coast Guard proposes to add twenty four new fireworks events at various locations in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port zone. The Coast Guard also proposes to correct the location of some existing fireworks events in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port zone. In addition, the Coast Guard proposes to change the format of the existing regulation by using a table to list each fireworks. When these safety zones are activated and subject to enforcement, this rule would limit the movement of vessels within the established firework display areas. These additional safety zones and corrections to existing safety zones are necessary to prevent injury and to protect life and property of the maritime public from hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone in 33 CFR 165.943 for the Point to LaPointe Swim in LaPointe, WI from 7:20 a.m. through 10 a.m. on August 2, 2014. This action is necessary to protect participants and spectators during the Point to LaPointe swim. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Duluth or his designated on-scene representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Push Beaver County Fireworks on the Ohio River, from mile 25.2 to 25.6, extending the entire width of the river. This zone will be in effect on June 28, 2014 from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. This zone is needed to protect vessels transiting the area and event spectators from the hazards associated with the Push Beaver County Barge-based Fireworks. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, or anchoring in the safety zone is prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay in Cape Charles, VA. This safety zone will restrict vessel movement in the specified area during the Virginia Chapter Young Presidents Organization and Cape Charles fireworks displays. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property on the surrounding navigable waters during the fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to accommodate the safe movement of ``Rock and Roll Run'' event participants.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Coastal Aquatics Swim Team Open Water Summer Shore Swim'', a marine event to be held on the waters of the Nanticoke River at Bivalve, MD on June 29, 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 Nanticoke River during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, NC in support of a fireworks display on June 20, 2014. This action is necessary to protect the life and property of the maritime public and spectators from the hazards posed by aerial fireworks displays. Entry into or movement within this safety zone during the enforcement period is prohibited without approval of the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of Urbanna Creek in Saluda, VA to support the Urbanna Independence Day Celebration fireworks display. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement in the designated area in order to protect the life and property of the maritime public and spectators from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedules that govern two North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) drawbridges: The S.R. 74 Bridge, across the AIWW, mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC, and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across the Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the annual Beach2Battleship Iron and Half Iron Distance Triathlons. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed position during the races.

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from Mile Marker 296.1 to Mile Marker 296.7 at specified times from June 9 to August 1, 2014. This action is necessary to protect the waterway, waterway users, and vessels from the hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' installation of a new permanent fish barrier. During the enforcement periods listed below, entry into, transiting, mooring, laying-up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce various safety zones within the Captain of the Port New York Zone on the specified dates and times. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and spectators from hazards associated with fireworks displays. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zones without permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the application for recertification submitted by the Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (CIRCAC) for September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015. Under the Oil Terminal and Tanker Environmental Oversight Act of 1990, the Coast Guard may certify on an annual basis, an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of a Regional Citizens' Advisory Council for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Cook Inlet program established by the statute. The current certification for CIRCAC will expire August 31, 2014.

The Coast Guard is finalizing the escort requirements for double hull tankers over 5,000 gross tons transporting oil in bulk on the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska (PWS). This final rule mandates two tug escorts for these tankers. The Coast Guard previously published an interim rule on August 19, 2013. Section 711 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 directed the Coast Guard to promulgate regulations as soon as practicable to ensure that tug escort requirements apply to these double hull tankers.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Fourth of July Fireworks, Tahoe City, CA in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility on July 4, 2014. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Cuyahoga River, Cleveland, OH. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Cuyahoga River while demolition of the old I- 90 Inner-belt bridge spanning the Cuyahoga River is undertaken. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect mariners and vessels from the navigational hazards associated with the removal of a span across the river.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. This deviation is necessary to accommodate the University of Washington, and University of Washington Bothell commencement ceremony traffic. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to allow timely movement of commencement traffic.

The Coast Guard is establishing an emergency temporary safety zone for all waters of the Tennessee River, extending the entire width from mile 4.8 to 5.8. This safety zone is needed to protect persons, property and infrastructure from the potential damage and safety hazards associated with structural concerns of the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, mile 5.3 Tennessee River. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of a revision to the following collection of information: 1625-0005, Application and Permit to Handle Hazardous Materials. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.