Coast Guard April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad Bridge (NS V2.8) across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, at mile 2.7, in Norfolk, VA. The final rule allows the NS V2.8 bridge to be operated from a remote location, and to remain open for vessel traffic and to close only for train crossings and periodic maintenance. This rule will make the operation of the bridge more efficient, because currently the bridge only opens on signal, or on signal after notice.

The Coast Guard is establishing a moving and fixed security zone around cruise ships entering, departing, mooring or anchoring at the Port of Fredericksted in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This regulation is a security measure designed to protect cruise ships at this port. All vessels, with the exception of cruise ships, are prohibited from entering the moving and fixed security zone around a cruise ship without the express permission of the Captain of the Port San Juan or their designated representative. The current temporary final rule at 33 CFR 165.T07-05-005 will be removed when this final rule is effective because it is unnecessary.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the S.R. 18-B Bridge, formerly known as U.S. Route 50/ 301 Bridge, over Kent Island Narrows, mile 1.0, in Kent Island, MD. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour and half- hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., from May 1 through October 31. The proposed rule will allow for a more efficient flow of vessel traffic.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of one Information Collection Request (ICR). The ICR comprise 1625-0040, Continuous Discharge Book, Merchant Mariner Application, Physical Examination Report, Sea Service Report, Chemical Testing and Entry Level Physical Report. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of three Information Collection Requests (ICRs). The ICRs comprise (1) 1625-0060, Vapor Control Systems for Facilities and Tank Vessels, (2) 1625-0081, Alternate Compliance Program, and (3) 1625-0083, Operational Measures for Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on them as described below.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish permanent special local regulations for the Offshore Super Series Boat Race in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This event will be held annually during the second consecutive Saturday and Sunday of June between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). Historically, there have been approximately 350 participant and spectator craft. The resulting congestion of navigable channels creates an extra or unusual hazard in the navigable waters of the United States. This proposed rule is necessary to ensure the safety of life for the participating vessels, spectators, and mariners in the area on the navigable waters of the United States.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations during the ``U.S. Naval Academy crew races'', a marine event to be held on the waters of the Severn River at Annapolis, Maryland on May 8 and 29, 2005. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Severn River during the event.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). TSAC advises the Coast Guard on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent security zones around all cruise ships while transiting or moored in the Port of Mobile and Mobile Ship Channel shoreward of the Mobile Sea Buoy. These security zones are needed to ensure the safety and security of these vessels. Entry into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Mobile or a designated representative.

This notice advises the public of a recent change to Marine Safety Center Technical Note (MTN) 01-99, Tonnage Technical Policy, which is used for interpreting the Coast Guard?s vessel tonnage measurement regulations. This notice advises the public on how to obtain the recent change to the MTN, and summarizes the interpretations included in this change.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce the availability of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the Pearl Crossing LLC Deepwater Port License Application and Pearl Crossing Pipeline LLC Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. The application describes a project that would be located in the Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf West Cameron Block 220, approximately 41 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana. The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration, as well as the cooperating agencies (i.e., Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) request public comment on the DEIS.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary security zones in portions of the waters around Stapleton Homeport Pier in Upper New York Bay, as well as the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal and Intrepid Museum in the Hudson River and around each participating Fleet Week vessel. This action is necessary to safeguard Naval vessels, Coast Guard vessels, and critical port infrastructure from sabotage, subversive act, or other threats. This rule does not apply to any vessel engaged in the enforcement of these security zones, other law enforcement, port security, or search and rescue activity. This rule would prohibit entry into or movement within these security zones without authorization from the Captain of the Port of New York.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the SR 315 (Bayou Dularge) bascule bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 59.9 west of Harvey Lock, in Houma, Louisiana. An increase in traffic during the noontime time period facilitated a request to allow the bridge to remain closed to navigation for two (2), 30-minute periods in the middle of the day. These closures will allow local workers to transit the area with minimal delays during the noontime lunch period.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the SR 661 (Houma Nav Canal) swing bridge across the Houma Navigation Canal, mile 36.0, in Houma, Louisiana. An increase in traffic during the noontime time period has facilitated a request to allow the bridge to remain closed to navigation for two (2), 30-minute periods in the middle of the day. These closures will allow local workers to transit the area with minimal delays during the noontime lunch period.

The Coast Guard has changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the operation of the S35 Bridge, mile 0.0, across Cheesequake Creek at Morgan, South Amboy, New Jersey. This final rule allows the bridge to open on the hour only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 1 through October 31. In addition, this rule allows the bridge owner to require a 4-hour advance notice for openings from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. all year, and all day from November 1 through April 30. This rule is expected to relieve the bridge owner of the burden of crewing the bridge at all times while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

This final rule adopts, without changes, the interim rule published on April 7, 2000, which changed the speed limit in Tongass Narrows. This final rule extends the speed limit area northward in Tongass Narrows to Channel Island, allows the take-off and landing of floatplanes, and allows smaller vessels to transit crowded areas to Tongass Narrows more quickly, relieving congestion. This final rule also re-designates the safety zone in Ketchikan Harbor as an anchorage ground. Vessels transiting the anchorage ground, other than those engaged in anchoring evolutions are required to proceed through the anchorage by the most direct route without delay or sudden course change. The new rule makes the final approach, anchoring, and departure of very large passenger vessels, safer for the vessels involved.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the Carlton Bridge, mile 14.0, across the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich, Maine. This proposed rule would allow the bridge to open on signal every three hours at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from July 5 through December 17, 2005, and again from April 1 through June 30, 2006, to facilitate rehabilitation construction at the bridge. This rule also would allow five three-day bridge closures in September and October of 2005. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee (LMRWSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to navigational safety on the Lower Mississippi River and related waterways. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating regulations that govern the operation of the SR 175 Bridge, at mile 3.5, at Chincoteague, Virginia. The final rule will require the draw to open on demand from midnight to 6 a.m., and on the hour from 6 a.m. to midnight, except from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July of every year, the draw need not be opened. This change will reduce vehicular traffic congestion, increasing public safety and will extend the structural and operational integrity of the movable span, while still balancing the needs of marine and vehicular traffic.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, mile 3.4, across English Kills at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position from April 27, 2005 through April 29, 2005. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is removing drawbridge operation regulations for seven bascule bridges within the Seventh Coast Guard District. The seven bascule bridges were removed and the regulations governing their operation are no longer needed.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent moving and fixed security zones extending 100 yards in the U.S. navigable waters around and under all cruise ships, tankers, and High Interest Vessels (HIVs) that enter, are moored or anchored in, or depart from the designated waters of Monterey Bay or Humboldt Bay, California. These security zones are needed for national security reasons to protect the public and ports of Monterey Bay and Humboldt Bay from potential subversive acts. Entry into these security zones is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Francisco Bay, or his designated representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Fort Madison Drawbridge, mile 383.9, Fort Madison, Iowa across the Upper Mississippi River. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for 8-hour and 4-hour time periods from July 16 to July 18, 2005, and from July 23 to July 25, 2005. The deviation is necessary to allow time for making repairs of critical structural components essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary fixed safety zone on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Fernandina Beach, FL, for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. The safety zone is needed to protect boaters from the hazards associated with fireworks demonstrations. Anchoring, mooring, or transiting within this zone is prohibited, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Jacksonville, FL.