Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Sabine River, extending the entire width of the river, adjacent to the public boat ramp located in Orange, TX. The safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from hazards associated with a high-speed boat race competition in Orange, TX. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on a portion of the Ohio River in Olmsted, IL. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of Lock and Dam 53 involving explosives. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary fixed and moving safety zone for all waters within 300 yards of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Bank Grading Units and USACE Mat Sinking Unit while operating on the Lower Mississippi River between MM332 through MM862. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, infrastructure, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with the bank grading and mat sinking operations performed by the USACE. During the effective period, USACE operations may require at times one way traffic, or complete closures during daylight hours when no traffic will be allowed to transit within 300 yards of the operation. Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be used to inform marine traffic of these times based on notice provided by the USACE. Deviation from the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Lower Mississippi River, or a designated representative.

In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.

The Coast Guard announces the cancellation of several obsolete Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC). NVICs are guidance documents issued by the Coast Guard that do not have the force of law. However, NVICs ensure Coast Guard inspections and other regulatory actions conducted by field personnel are complete and consistent. Similarly, the marine industry and the general public rely on NVICs as a way to assess how the Coast Guard will enforce certain regulations or conduct various marine safety programs. Thus, it is important that the public is made aware when NVICs are cancelled so as to avoid confusion.

From June 29, 2020, through June 28, 2021, the Coast Guard conducted the Northern New York Bight Port Access Route Study (NNYBPARS) and is now requesting your comments on a draft version of the study report. The goal of the study is to evaluate the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and determine whether additional vessel routing measures are necessary for port approaches to New York and New Jersey and international and domestic transit areas in the First District area of responsibility. To accomplish this goal, the Coast Guard has undertaken measures to determine whether existing or additional routing measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and planned improvements, increased vessel traffic, existing and potential anchorage areas, changing vessel traffic patterns, effects of weather, or navigational difficulty. We seek your comments on the content and development of the report.

The Coast Guard will issue special local regulations for an annual Mystic Sharkfest Swim event on the Mystic River. This rule is intended to ensure the protection of the maritime public and event participants from the hazards associated with this marine event. Once enforced, these special local regulations would restrict vessels from transiting the regulated area during this annually recurring event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of the Southwest shores of Oahu, Hawaii, near Barbers Point. The temporary safety zone encompasses all waters extending 3 nautical miles in all directions from position 21[deg]16'36'' N, 158[deg]01'42'' W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with ongoing operations to salvage a downed aircraft in this area. Entry of vessels or persons in this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Honolulu.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone from mile marker 191.1 to 191.5 of the Cumberland River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Korean Veterans Bridge, Nashville, TN, during Music City Grand Prix on August 6 through August 8, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for certain navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the town of Surfside, Florida. The security zone will cover all navigable waters from approximately one-half nautical mile north and south of the Champlain Towers South (accident site) and 500 yards offshore. This action is necessary to prevent vessels from approaching and possibly interefering with search and rescue operations at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, FL. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Miami or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard published a document in the Federal Register on June 17, 2021, concerning a safety zone intended to restrict vessels from certain portions of Lake Charlevoix, MI, during air show activities on July 23, 2021. The document contained incorrect starting and ending times in the description of the effective date.

The Coast Guard will enforce certain safety zones located in the Federal regulations for Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie. This action is necessary and intended to protect the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after these events. During each enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of Back River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located in Baltimore County, MD, during a high-speed power boat event on July 10, 2021, and July 11, 2021. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Main Street Bridge, mile 55.97, the Jackson Street Bridge, mile 56.22, the Wisconsin Street Bridge, mile 56.72, the Congress Avenue Bridge, mile 58.01, all over the Fox River at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This deviation will test the remote operations at each bridge with a drawtender in attendance to supervise each remote opening. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public regarding these proposed changes.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Ohio River extending the entire width of the river, from mile marker (MM) 777.3 to MM 778.3. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Newburgh, Indiana, during the City of Newburgh fireworks display on September 4, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representatitve. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone located in federal regulations for the Lake Erie Open Water Swim. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during the event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone near Balboa Pier, Newport Beach Harbor, California, around the fireworks launch barge SWOB-1, during the loading of pyrotechnics at Los Angeles Berth 184, the transit of the barge from LA Berth 184 to the display location in vicinity of Southeast of Balboa Pier and for the duration of the fireworks display, on July 4, 2021. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the waterway users by keeping them clear of potential harmful debris within the fall out zone during the fireworks display scheduled to take place within Newport Beach Harbor, and the loading and transit of the explosives. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Los AngelesLong Beach, or her designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce two annual recurring marine events for the Beaufort Water Festival to provide for the safety of life on the Beaufort River in Beaufort, SC, during the event. The Coast Guard will enforce these two annual recurring marine events on July 16, 2021, from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., on July 17, 2021, from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., on July 18, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., and on July 24, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. All non-participant persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering, transiting, anchoring, or remaining within the regulated areas during the enforcement period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative. The operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with instructions from the Coast Guard or designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Madisonville Old Fashioned 4th of July fireworks display July 3, 2021, from 8 p.m. through 9 p.m. to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event on the Tchefuncte River, near Madisonville, Louisiana. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol designated by the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for waters of Delaware Bay off Lewes, DE, for a fireworks display. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Delaware Bay.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of Lake Charles west of 93[deg]13'51.2'' W, east of 93[deg]14'8.3'' W, and extending 500 yards south from the northern shore of Lake Charles. This safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from hazards associated with a Pro Watercross event on August 28 and 29, 2021 in Lake Charles, LA. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Upper Potomac River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment on these navigable waters at Washington, DC, on July 4, 2021, (with alternate date of July 5, 2021) from potential hazards during a fireworks display to commemorate the July 4th holiday. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will not enforce the safety zone for the Seafair Air Show Performance in Lake Washington, Seattle, WA in July and August 2021. The Captain of the Port Sector Puget Sound has determined enforcement of this regulation is not necessary because this event is cancelled.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for South Lake Tahoe's Light on the Lake Fourth of July 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 personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the dangers associated with pyrotechnics. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the San Francisco Giants Fireworks Display in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility during the dates and times noted below. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the hazards associated with pyrotechnics. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).