Coast Guard March 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is changing the operating regulations governing the Cortez bridge mile 87.4 and the Anna Maria bridge mile 89.2 across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to allow for the rehabilitation of the Anna Maria Bridge. This rule will allow each bridge to open on a twice an hour schedule, except that they will be closed to navigation in the evening; also each bridge will open once every hour during the 45 day vehicle closure period on the Anna Maria Bridge. This action is necessary for worker safety and will assist in expediting the rehabilitation of the Anna Maria Bridge.

The Coast Guard is developing a set of proposed amendments to its commercial fishing industry vessel regulations. The proposed changes would enhance maritime safety by adding new requirements for vessel stability and watertight integrity, stability training and assessments, vessel maintenance and self-examinations, immersion suits, crew preparedness, safety training, emergency preparation, safety and training personnel, safety equipment, and documentation. Miscellaneous conforming, clarifying, and other administrative changes are also contemplated.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a safety zone on the Nansemond River in the vicinity of Suffolk, VA in support of the Stars and Stripes Fourth of July Fireworks event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Nansemond River to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone on the federal channel of the Thames River surrounding the Amtrak Railroad Bridge in the Town of New London, Connecticut. This safety zone is necessary to protect vessels transiting in the area from hazards imposed by construction barges and equipment. The barges and equipment are being utilized to remove the old bascule bridge and install a new vertical lift span bridge over the Thames River. Entry into this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge across the State Boat Channel at mile 30.7, at Babylon, New York. Under this temporary deviation the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge may remain in the closed position from March 31, 2008 through June 15, 2008. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the TBTA Bridge across the Harlem River, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the TBTA Bridge may remain in the closed position from May 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) and Analysis to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting a reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired for the following collection of information: 1625-0004, United States Coast Guard Academy Application and Supplemental Forms. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a report to Congress on the use of voyage data recorders on ferries. This report details the findings of the Coast Guard's study on the costs and benefits of requiring voyage data recorders on ferries of over 100 gross regulatory tons and carrying more than 399 passengers between two points not more than 300 miles apart.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for the ``William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup'', a sailboat regatta to be held on the waters of the Severn River, Annapolis, Maryland. 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 the Severn River adjacent to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland during the sailboat regatta.

As required by statute, the Coast Guard has reviewed and is updating the rates for pilotage service on the Great Lakes for the 2008 navigation season. We are increasing pilotage rates an average 8.17% over the last ratemaking that was completed in September 2007. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard strategic goals of maritime safety, protection of natural resources, maritime security, and maritime mobility.

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 announces it is again requesting comments on the costs and benefits of expanding the existing 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) in order to provide additional information identifying vessels. The Coast Guard requests public comments on this issue and on the specific questions in this Notice.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of three North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) drawbridges: The S.R. 74 Bridge, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 283.1 at Wrightsville Beach, NC; the Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge at mile 26.8, and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, at mile 1.0, across Northeast Cape Fear River both in Wilmington, NC, to accommodate distance races.

The Coast Guard will establish a temporary security zone on the waters of the Cape Fear River off the North Carolina State Port Authority facilities, Wilmington, North Carolina during the USS NORTH CAROLINA Commissioning ceremony. The security zone is necessary to provide for the security of the USS NORTH CAROLINA and the safety of life of event participants, spectators and mariners on U.S. navigable waters during the event. Entry into the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone around the U.S. Forces vessel SBX-1 during transits within the Honolulu Captain of the Port Zone. This zone is necessary to protect the SBX-1 from threats associated with vessels and persons approaching too close during transit. Entry of persons or vessels into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the SR 316 Blue Bayou Pontoon Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 49.8, near Houma, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Currently the bridge opens on signal, but due to high vehicular traffic and school bus traffic Lafourche Parish requested this change. The proposed rule will require the draw of the bridge to open on signal except during the regular school year on Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved an additional temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland. While construction continues, this added deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning March 2, 2008 until and including May 30, 2008.

The Coast Guard hereby establishes three special anchorage areas in Yarmouth, Maine, Casco Bay. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation in that area and provide safe and secure anchorages for vessels not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property in Yarmouth, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has recertified the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This certification allows the PWSRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound Program established by statute.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the State Route 433 (S433) Bridge across Liberty Bayou, mile 2.0, at Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana and cancelling the test deviation presently in effect for this bridge. This change is being made in order to reduce the hours of manned operation of the bridge to make more efficient use of personnel and operating resources.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74.0, across Beach Thorofare at Margate, New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to make emergency structural steel repairs.

The Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2008 minimum random drug testing rate at 50 percent of covered crewmembers.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of three, multi- purpose, temporary restricted anchorages with associated safety/ security zones to service vessels intending to call on the ports of Jacksonville or Fernandina within the Captain of the Port Zone Jacksonville as defined by 33 CFR 3.35-20. The temporary restricted anchorages and safety/security zones identify clearly to all mariners the pre-established area of the Captain of the Port Zone for geographic separation and/or restriction of certain vessels that may pose a safety, public health, environmental, or security threat to the port. The proposed temporary restricted anchorages are necessary to protect the public, port infrastructure, maritime environment, and viability of the Marine Transportation System from hazards associated with safety, public health, environmental, and security threats.

The Coast Guard proposes to create special local regulations to regulate recurring marine events in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations would apply to all permitted events listed in the table attached to the regulation, and include events such as regattas, and marine parades. These regulations are being proposed to reduce the Coast Guard's administrative workload and expedite public notification of events.

The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC), which was previously located in Arlington, VA, and more in Kearneysville, WV, has moved into its new permanent location in Martinsburg, WV, as part of a planned effort to restructure and centralize the Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MLD) Program. This notice provides information regarding both the MLD Program restructuring and how to address correspondence to the appropriate staff of the reorganized and relocated NMC.