Coast Guard September 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule supersedes the temporary interim rule that was published on January 6, 2004. The temporary interim rule revised 1975 regulations that implemented the Deepwater Port Act of 1974. It updated and streamlined those regulations in accordance with the 1996 Deepwater Port Modernization Act, and extended them to include the natural gas deepwater ports authorized by Congress in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. This final rule revises and finalizes the regulations issued in the temporary interim rule.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks public comment on, a draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) to replace the existing NVIC 2-98, ``Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner's Documents and Licenses.'' The new proposed NVIC is entitled ``Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials.'' It will be officially numbered if and when it becomes effective. The contents of this NVIC were developed from recommendations and input provided by the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) and experienced maritime community medical practitioners. A copy of the proposed NVIC has been posted to the public docket for this notice, and it is available as described under ADDRESSES.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations for the Strait Thunder Hydroplane Races held on the waters of Port Angeles Harbor, Port Angeles, Washington. These special local regulations limit the movement of non-participating vessels in the regulated race area and provide for a viewing area for spectator craft. This temporary rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone to be used to keep spectator vessels out of the path and away from the area directly below participating aircraft during the fleet week air show practice in order to ensure the safety of event participants and spectators.

The Coast Guard is establishing a moving temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay, California during vibro penetration testing for a seismic upgrade of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Transbay tube. The testing will require placement of a barge at test sites along the BART Transbay tube. The safety zone will surround the barge and move with the barge as it conducts the tests at seven sites along the BART Transbay tube. This safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from hazards, injury, and damage associated with the vibro penetration testing. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations governing the draw of the Valentine Pontoon Bridge across Bayou Lafourche, mile 44.7, in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The regulation will allow for the bridge to be unmanned and remain closed during hours of infrequent traffic with an advance notification requirement to open the bridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent special local regulations during the ``Sunset Lake Hydrofest'', a marine event to be held annually on the last weekend in September or the first weekend in October on the waters of Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. For 2006 this marine event will be held on September 30 and October 1, 2006. 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 in portions of Sunset Lake during the event.

The Coast Guard is correcting a technical amendment that appeared in the Federal Register on August 21, 2006. That technical amendment authorizes the Commanding Officer, National Maritime Center to perform certain mariner credentialing functions in addition to Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, who currently perform those functions. At the end of a transitional period, most credentialing functions will be consolidated at a centralized location. The amendment also makes technical changes to the mariner credentialing appellate process. The technical amendment is organizational in nature and will have no substantive effect on the regulated public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Susquehanna River during a fireworks display. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during a fireworks display launched from a barge, located between Havre de Grace, Maryland and Perryville, Maryland, on September 30, 2006. This action will restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Susquehanna River.

The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to offshore safety and security. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 1000 foot safety zone around a fireworks display for the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Conference occurring on November 12, 2006, on the Trent River, New Bern, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Trent River. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is proposing to change the operating regulations for the Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL) Railroad Bridge, at mile 0.3, across Darby Creek in Essington, Pennsylvania. The proposal would allow the bridge to be left in the open-to-navigation position from April 1 through October 31 of every year. The bridge would only close for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance. From November 1 to March 31, the bridge would open on signal, if at least 24 hours notice is given by calling (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the U.S. 1 Bridge, across the Housatonic River, mile 3.5, at Stratford, Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation, only one of the two moveable bascule spans will be opened for the passage of vessel traffic. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.