Coast Guard February 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the Fifth Street Bridge, mile 0.15, and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, mile 1.5, both over the Ashtabula River. The Coast Guard is also changing signaling and signage requirements for the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, mile 1.5. The Coast Guard is modifying these rules in response to complaints received concerning the operations of one or more bridges over the waterway and a desire to improve safety, remove barriers to interstate commerce, improve communications, and standardize winter operations associated with these bridges.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 105-4, which provides cyber risk management actions for owners or operators of ship-to-shore (STS) cranes manufactured by People's Republic of China (PRC) companies (PRC- manufactured STS cranes). The directive contains security-sensitive information and, therefore, cannot be made available to the general public. Owners or operators of PRC-manufactured STS cranes should immediately contact their local Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) or District Commander for a copy of MARSEC Directive 105-4.

The Coast Guard is temporarily modifying the operating schedule that governs the Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge, mile 12.8, across Sloop Channel, Nassau County, NY. The bridge owner, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), submitted a request to operate the bridge under single leaf openings to perform bridge deck replacement.

The Coast Guard proposes to update its maritime security regulations by adding regulations specifically focused on establishing minimum cybersecurity requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and U.S. facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This proposed rule would help to address current and emerging cybersecurity threats in the marine transportation system. We seek your comments on this proposed rule and whether we should: use and define the term reportable cyber incident to limit cyber incidents that trigger reporting requirements, use alternative methods of reporting such incidents, and amend the definition of hazardous condition.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a new style of Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) for review. The new style of MMC is replacing the current passport-style MMC. The new MMC will be implemented on March 1, 2024. Issuance of the passport-style MMC will be discontinued on the same date. Passport-style MMCs will remain valid through their expiration date. The Coast Guard has included an example of the new MMC in this docket for review. The Coast Guard will continue to produce mariner medical certificates in their current format.

The current Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) Valdez Terminal complex (Terminal) security zone encompasses a waterside portion and 2000 yards inland, which includes the shoreside portion of the terminal and adjacent land. The Coast Guard is proposing to amend the TAPS Terminal security zone to exclude the land portion from the security zone. The Coast Guard has never exercised any legal authority, nor has it enforced regulations within the inland portion of the security zone. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0085, Streamlined Inspection Program; without change. 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.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters in the Laguna Madre. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a firework display launched from a stationary barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone or remaining in the zone when it is in effect is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the Pacific Ocean near Bodega Bay, CA in support of pollution response operations for the vessel ALEUTIAN STORM from February 13, 2024, to February 19, 2024. Based on this information, this safety zone is necessary to protect vessels and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with pollution response operations. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission from the Captain of the Port San Francisco or a designated representative.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0031, Plan Approval and Records for Electrical Engineering RegulationsTitle 46 CFR Subchapter J; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a safety zone for certain waters of the Biscayne Bay. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Homestead, FL, during a recurring military exercises that would be enforced approximately 8-12 times per year. The exercises will include military aircraft and watercraft that may pose a danger to the public. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Miami or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

In accordance with the statutory provisions enacted by the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960, the Coast Guard is issuing new pilotage rates for the 2024 shipping season. This rule adjusts the pilotage rates to account for changes in district operating expenses, an increase in the number of pilots, and anticipated inflation. These changes, when combined, result in a 7-percent net increase in pilotage costs compared to the 2023 season.

The Coast Guard is activating three safety zones for the AXIOM-3 Commercial Crew mission reentry, vehicle splashdown, and recovery operations. These operations will occur in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Our regulation for safety zones in reentry sites within the Seventh Coast Guard District identifies the regulated areas for this event. No U.S.-flagged vessel may enter the safety zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Savannah or a designated representative. Foreign-flagged vessels are encouraged to remain outside the safety zones.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the Roosevelt (US1) Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway, mile 7.5, at Stuart, FL. This action is necessary to allow the drawbridge to operate on demand, as outlined in the Record of Decision for the high-level fixed US1 Roosevelt Bridge which was constructed in 1997. Additionally, with the increase in railway activity on the adjacent railroad bridge, this modification will allow the drawbridges to operate in concert. The drawbridge name in the existing regulation is incorrect and will be changed in this Final Rule.

The Coast Guard is temporarily modifying the operating schedule that governs the Indiantown Road Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1006.2, at Jupiter, Florida. This action is necessary to alleviate vehicle traffic congestion on the Indiantown Road Bridge caused by the replacement of another nearby bridge. Once construction of the nearby bridge is complete, the Indiantown Road Drawbridge will return to normal scheduled operations.