Department of Homeland Security July 17, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone on Lake Michigan within Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin for the 2013 Olympic and Sprint Distance National Championships. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters during the 2013 Olympic and Sprint Distance National Championships. During the aforementioned periods, the Coast Guard will enforce restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified safety zone. During the enforcement periods, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor during specified periods from July 3, 2013, through August 31, 2013. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. Enforcement of this safety zone will activate restrictions and control movement of vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after various fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard proposes aligning its regulations with the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act. Before 2010, uninspected commercial barges and uninspected commercial sailing vessels fell outside the scope of a statute requiring the regulation of lifesaving devices on uninspected vessels. Lifesaving devices were required on uninspected commercial barges and sailing vessels only if they carried passengers for hire. The 2010 Act brought uninspected commercial barges and sailing vessels within the scope of the statutory requirement to carry lifesaving devices even if they carry no passengers. The Coast Guard proposes requiring use of wearable personal flotation devices for individuals on board uninspected commercial barges and sailing vessels, and amending several regulatory tables to reflect that requirement. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety mission.