Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is seeking input regarding the introduction and development of automated and autonomous commercial vessels and vessel technologies subject to U.S. jurisdiction, on U.S. flagged commercial vessels, and in U.S. port facilities. The Coast Guard is also seeking input regarding barriers to the development of autonomous vessels. This document solicits the public's view on issues related to the opportunities, challenges, and impacts of automated and autonomous commercial vessels and vessel technologies.

The Coast Guard will enforce two safety zones in the Sector Long Island Sound area of responsibility on the dates and times listed in the table below. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during the event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Long Island Sound or designated representative.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish two temporary safety zones for certain waters within the Captain of the Port Maryland- National Capital Region Zone. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of the Patuxent River at Solomons, MD, on September 5, 2020, (with alternate date of September 6, 2020), and Patapsco River (Inner Harbor) at Baltimore, MD, on October 2, 2020, (with no alternate date), during fireworks displays. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is amending a pre-established safety zone for certain waters of the Upper Missippi River during a fireworks display. This Safety Zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters. This rulemaking will prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is withdrawing its proposed rule to establish temporary special local regulations for certain waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The rulemaking was initiated to establish a special local regulation during the ``Bay Bridge Paddle,'' a marine event to be held on certain waters of the Chesapeake Bay located between Sandy Point in Anne Arundel County, MD, and Kent Island in Queen Anne's County, MD. The proposed rule is being withdrawn because it is no longer necessary. The event sponsor has cancelled the paddling event.

We are requesting your comments on a submission we received from a company to modify the coordinates of Thames River Special Anchorage Area No. 4 as they begin the permitting process for a new waterfront facility in New London, CT. The facility will be located on the Thames River between the Gold Star Bridge and the Coast Guard Academy, and the current pier design would intersect the current Thames River Special Anchorage Area No. 4. We seek your comments on how the Thames River Special Anchorage Area No. 4 is currently used and how any modifications to the anchorage may impact you.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary safety zones for navigable waters within 50 yards of certain swim routes of a marine event in the Les Cheneaux Islands in Cedarville, MI. The safety zones are needed to protect event participants from risks associated with the boating public near highly trafficked areas of the waterway. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is revising portions of our general regulation on the notification procedures for the establishment and disestablishment of limited access areas and regulated navigation areas, to reflect current organizational procedures. This rule also removes certain marine event and limited access area regulations for the Ninth, Thirteenth, and Seventeenth Coast Guard Districts because they are no longer needed.

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 approval for the following collection: 1625NEW, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card Readers: Updated Risk Analysis. 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 on the waters of the St. Clair River in the vicinity of Port Huron, MI. This zone is intended to restrict and control movement of vessels in a portion of the St. Clair River. Though this is an unsanctioned, non- permitted marine event, this zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during a float down event near Port Huron, MI.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone encompassing certain waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The security zone is necessary to prevent waterside threats before, during, and after National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency equipment testing conducted offshore near Ocean City, MD. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Fox River in Green Bay, WI. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards from a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Lake Michigan.

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: 1625-0078, Credentialing and Manning Requirements for Officers of Towing Vessels; 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 navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of the DREDGE 200 salvage vessels and machinery located in the Northern Atlantic Ocean approximately 2 miles southeast of Nahant, Massachusetts. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by salvage operations. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Boston (COTP) 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 (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: 1625-0019, Alternative Compliance for International and Inland Navigation Rules; 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 navigable waters within a 420-foot radius of the Lake Shore Towing barge launching fireworks at the position of 42[deg]07'60'' N 80[deg]08'00'' W. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect mariners and vessels from the navigational hazards associated with a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 560-foot radius of a recurring fireworks display. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sault Sainte Marie.

This document corrects a docket number listed in a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that was published July 6, 2020. That supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking would establish a dedicated offshore anchorage approximately 7 nautical miles northeast of the St. Johns River inlet, Florida.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of the West Seattle Freeway Bridge Light List Number 16870.2. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by inspection and repair work on the West Seattle Bridge. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Puget Sound.

The Coast Guard is establishing Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) at the harbor bar entrances to Crescent City Harbor, Humboldt Bay, Noyo River, and Morro Bay. This regulation creates additional safety requirements for recreational and small commercial vessels operating in these areas during periods of hazardous conditions, such as high wind or breaking surf, and establishes clear procedures for restricting and closing these harbor bar entrances in the event of unsafe conditions. This regulation is necessary to enhance mariner and vessel safety when bar conditions exceed certain parameters, typically when breaking seas are projected to be 20-foot or greater. This rulemaking prohibits vessels from entering these areas during unsafe conditions unless authorized by the local Captain of the Port 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: 1625-0007, Characteristics of Liquid Chemicals Proposed for Bulk Water Movement; 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 will enforce certain safety zones located in the federal regulations for Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Buffalo. 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 Buffalo.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge across the New River, mile 2.5, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This proposed change will allow the drawbridge to operate on a more predictable schedule. This proposed action is expected to better serve the reasonable needs of both vessel and rail traffic.

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, IN, during a fireworks display on September 5, 2020. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations for certain waters of the Upper Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at National Harbor, MD, on September 27, 2020, during an open water swim event. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.