Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) Railroad Bridge across the New River, mile 2.5, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This modified deviation extends the period the bridge may operate under the test deviation to the drawbridge operation schedule. This modification will allow for ongoing negotiations between the railroad and maritime stakeholders as the parties discuss a final rule that reasonably meets the needs of both modes of transportation.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Spa Creek. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of Spa Creek in Annapolis, MD, on December 31, 2019, during a fireworks display. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone 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 establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Allegheny River from mile 14.7 to mile 15. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a barge-based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of the Kanawha River from mile marker (MM) 59.5 to MM 60.5. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards resulting from a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or designated represented.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Rio Vista Bass Derby 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 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) or other Federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies on scene to assist the Coast Guard in enforcing the regulated area.

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 approval for reinstatement, with changes, of the following collection of information: 1625-0071, Recreational Boat Safety Defect Report, previously titled Boat Owner's Report, Possible Safety Defect Report. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. This request provides a second 30-day comment period addressing the changes we made in response to public comments that we received on the last notice requesting comments. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is correcting a temporary final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on September 30, 2019. The document issued an emergency temporary safety zone in response to the grounding/ capsizing of the M/V GOLDEN RAY (31[deg]07'39.66 North, 081[deg]24'10.58 West, between Saint Simons Lighthouse and the north end of Jekyll Island, in the vicinity of green buoy #19). The rule was made enforceable from September 19, 2019, until no longer deemed necessary by the Captain of the Port Savannah. However, in the instruction and section heading of regulatory text, the docket number appeared instead of the CFR section number.

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulations in the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay for the San Francisco Bay Navy Fleet Week Parade of Ships and Blue Angels Demonstration from October 10 through October 13, 2019. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of event participants and spectators. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the regulated area, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

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 of information; 1625-NEW, Merchant Mariner CredentialingJob Task 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.

We are requesting your comments on a Letter of Intent and Preliminary Waterway Suitability Assessment we received from Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals to expand their existing liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) operations by increasing the number of liquefied propane and butane ship visits from approximately 120 per year to 432 ship visits per year. Additionally, they intend to expand operations to include 120 liquefied ethane ship visits per year. The Coast Guard is notifying the public of this proposed increase in LHG marine traffic on the Sabine-Neches Waterway and is soliciting comments relevant to the Coast Guard's preparation of a Letter of Recommendation for issuance to the federal, state, or local agency with jurisdiction over the proposed facility.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the OPA World Championships from November 22, 2019 through November 24, 2019, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for the annual OPA World Championships identifies the regulated area for this event in Englewood, FL. 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 displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

On June 5, 2017, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a temporary safety zone over certain navigable waters within the Sector Miami Captain of the Port (COTP) zone. This safety zone would allow the Coast Guard to restrict certain vessels from entering or transiting through certain navigable waters in the Miami River and Ports of Miami, Everglades, Palm Beach and Fort Pierce during periods of reduced or restricted visibility due to tropical storm force winds (39-73 mph/34- 63 knots), hurricanes and/or other disasters. The Coast Guard proposes to publish this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) since considerable time has passed from the time when the initial NPRM was published, and because minor modifications have been made to the proposed rule. This SNPRM requests comments on the revised proposal.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise existing regulations and consolidate into one table special local regulations for recurring marine events at various locations within the geographic boundaries of the Seventh Coast Guard District Captain of the Port (COTP) Miami Zone. Consolidating marine events into one table simplifies Coast Guard oversight and public notification of special local regulations within COTP Miami Zone. The Coast Guard invites your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship on September 29, 2019, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for Clearwater Super Boat National Championship identifies the regulated area for this event in Clearwater Beach, FL. During the enforcement period, no persons or vessels will be permitted in the Race Area without permission of the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP), unless they are authorized race participants. If permission is granted by the COTP, all persons and vessels receiving such permission must comply with the instructions of the COTP or a designated representative. Also during the enforcement period all vessels in the Spectator Area are to be anchored or operating at a ``no wake speed''.

On September 08, 2019, the Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah issued an Emergency Safety Zone in response to the grounding/capsizing of the M/V GOLDEN RAY (31[deg]07'39.66 North, 081[deg]24'10.58 West, between Saint Simons Lighthouse and the north end of Jekyll Island, in the vicinity of green buoy #19). This Emergency Safety Zone prohibited all vessels from approaching within 0.5 nautical miles of M/V GOLDEN RAY, unless authorized by the COTP. As of September 13, 2019, this Emergency Safety Zone remained in effect for all vessels of 500 GT and above. No vessels 500 GT and above were able to transit within 0.5 nautical miles of the M/V GOLDEN RAY unless specifically authorized by the COTP. For all other vessels, the Emergency Safety Zone was enforced for 150 yards surrounding the site. No vessel could transit within 150 yards of the M/V GOLDEN RAY unless specifically authorized by the COTP. As of September 19, 2019, USCG Captain of the Port Savannah has adjusted the safety zone surrounding the M/V GOLDEN RAY, so that no vessel is authorized access within 150 yards of the M/V GOLDEN RAY, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port. The previous safety zone established on September 12, 2019 is terminated.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the Straits of Mackinac near Mackinac City, MI. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect vessels and spectators from the hazards associated with a fireworks show during the Mackinaw City Fall Colors Fireworks. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Sault Sainte Marie or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a recurring special local regulation for certain waters of Kailua Bay, Hawaii. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Kailua-Kona, HI, during the swim portion of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon and practice swim held on consecutive weekends annually in October. On both days, the swim events are held from 3:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated area each day of the event unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Honolulu.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Neches River extending 500-feet on either side of the Kansas City Southern Railroad Bridge that crosses the Neches River in Beaumont, TX. The safety zone is necessary to protect the bridge as well as persons and property on or near the bridge from potential damage from passing vessels until missing and/or damaged fendering systems are repaired or replaced. Entry of certain vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or a designated representative.

The Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (CFSAC) will meet via teleconference to discuss CFSAC task statement #01-19. The U.S. Coast Guard will consider CFSAC recommendations as part of the process of developing voluntary guidelines for fishing vessel construction, maintenance, and repair. The teleconference will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of the Motor Vessel (M/V) HIGHLAND EAGLE while conducting geotechnical sampling operations in the Straits of Mackinac. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by geotechnical sampling operations in the Straits of Mackinac. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sault Sainte Marie.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Columbia River between river mile 142 and 143 in vicinity of Bonneville, Oregon. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by salvage operations of the tug DIANE. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Columbia River.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Delaware River to restrict and protect vessel traffic during the offloading of two Post-Panamax gantry cranes at the Port of Philadelphia. This action is intended to protect mariners and vessels from the hazards associated with these offloading activities. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless a vessel meets the stated requirements or is specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay. This rule compliments a safety zone found in docket number USCG-2019-0782 addressing navigation risks while the vessel carrying the cranes is anchored or underway in Delaware Bay and River.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters within a 500-foot radius of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) I-95 bridge structures to the north, and south, of the Unionport (Bruckner Expressway) Bridge, construction vessels, and machinery at mile 1.7 over Westchester Creek. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by installation of two temporary vertical lift bridges during the replacement of the existing Unionport (Bruckner Expressway) Bridge at mile 1.7 over Westchester Creek. When enforced, this regulation prohibits entry of vessels or persons into the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta located in the federal regulations for Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Buffalo zone. This action is necessary and intended to protect the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after this event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Special Local Regulation for all navigable waters of the Tennessee River, extending the entire width of the river, from mile marker (MM) 254.0 to 258.0. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Florence, AL, during a Triathlon on September 22, 2019. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.