Coast Guard May 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations for the ``William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup'', a sail boat 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 sail boat regatta.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0077, Security Plans for Ports, Vessels, Facilities, and Outer Continental Shelf Facilities and Other Security-Related Requirements. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within a 250 yard radius of Ambrose Light (LLNR 720) located at position 40[deg]27[min]00[sec] N, 073[deg]48[min]00[sec] W, approximately 8.35 nautical miles east of Sandy Hook, NJ. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life, property and the environment on navigable waters of the United States from the hazards associated with the damaged structure and during survey and debris removal at the charted location of Ambrose Light that was recently damaged. This safety zone is intended to keep vessels a safe distance from Ambrose Light during the survey and debris removal operations.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish moving and fixed safety zones around all vessels carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and Bahia de Ponce, Puerto Rico. This action will protect the public from the inherent dangers of this highly volatile material by requiring vessel traffic to maintain a safe distance from LNG vessels operating near shore.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Rio Vista Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 12.8, at Rio Vista, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to conduct required maintenance of the drawspan. This deviation allows for a 4-hour notice for openings during nighttime.

The Coast Guard will enforce the ``Portland Rose Festival Fireworks Display safety zone on the Willamette River''; from 8:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. on May 30, 2008. This action is necessary to provide a safe display for the public and to keep them clear of the fall out area of the fireworks. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard has changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the operation of the Bayville Bridge, mile 0.1, across Mill Neck Creek at Oyster Bay, New York. This final rule will allow the bridge to open on signal between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. from May 1 through October 31 and between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from November 1 through April 30. At all other times the bridge will open after a two-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge. The purpose of this rule is to help relieve the bridge owner from the burden of crewing the bridge during time periods that the bridge receives few requests to open.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the drawbridge operation regulation for the Spokane Street Bridge across the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, in Seattle, Washington, by establishing two daily closed draw periods Monday through Friday. The change is necessary to help alleviate roadway traffic and will do so by preventing traffic stoppages on either side of the bridge during high volume traffic periods. Large vessels would be exempted from the closed draw periods.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone. This proposed rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Toledo Zone and the former Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding three Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0001, Marine Casualty Information & Periodic Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel; (2) 1625-0013, Plan Approval and Records for Load Lines, and (3) 1625-0096, Report of Oil or Hazardous Substance Discharge; and Report of Suspicious Maritime Activity. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is amending its regulations to implement the vessel security officer training and certification amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, and the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code. These amendments incorporate the training and qualification requirements for vessel security officers into the requirements for the credentialing of United States merchant mariners. The vessel security officer requirements would apply to all vessels subject to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, under current regulations. This includes all seagoing vessels, as defined in 46 CFR 15.1101, to mean self-propelled vessels engaged in commercial service that operate beyond the Boundary Line established by 46 CFR Part 7, except those vessels which have been determined to be otherwise exempt from STCW as per 46 CFR 15.103(e) and (f).

The Coast Guard is establishing safety zones for various fireworks events in the Captain of the Port Buffalo zone. This rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Cleveland Zone and the former Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Weymouth 4th of July fireworks event. This action is to ensure the safety of life and protection of property during the fireworks event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port Boston.

The Coast Guard is re-establishing two temporary safety zones of 500 meter radii around the primary components, two independent submerged turret-loading buoys, of Excelerate Energy's Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port, Atlantic Ocean, and its accompanying systems. The purpose of these temporary safety zones is to protect vessels and mariners from the potential safety hazards associated with deepwater port facilities. All vessels, with the exception of deepwater port support vessels, are prohibited from entering into or moving within either of the safety zones.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Craigie Bridge across the Charles River at mile 1.0, at Boston, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for two hours to facilitate a public event, the Boston Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. This deviation is necessary to facilitate public safety during a public event.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise the boundaries of three anchorage grounds in Upper New York Bay adjacent to Ellis and Liberty Islands. This proposed action is necessary due to the proposed increase in size of the Safety and Security Zones surrounding Ellis and Liberty Islands.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone upon specified waters of the Anacostia River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during scheduled fireworks displays launched along the shoreline near the newly- constructed Washington Nationals Ballpark, in Washington, DC. This action will restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Anacostia River.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Fourth of July Fireworks Display safety zone for the city of Monterey from 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on July 4, 2008. This action is necessary to control vessel traffic and 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 safety zone, 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) and Analysis to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0010, Defect/Noncompliance Report and Campaign Update Report. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

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 an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0011, Applications for Private Aids to Navigation and for Class I Private Aids to Navigation on Artificial Islands/Fixed Structures. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the existing special anchorage area at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at the junction of the Raritan River and Arthur Kill. This proposed action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide for a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property on the Raritan River and Arthur Kill, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``First Annual Safe Boating Day'', a water safety demonstration to be held on the waters of the Delaware River adjacent to Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA. 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 between the Walt Whitman and Benjamin Franklin bridges in the Delaware River during the event.

This Notice informs owners and operators of facilities located within Captain of the Port Zones Boston, Northern New England, and Southeastern New England that they must implement access control procedures utilizing TWIC no later than October 15, 2008.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are sponsoring a two-day public workshop on marine technology and standards in Arlington, VA. This public workshop will provide a unique opportunity for classification societies, industry groups, standards development organizations, governments, and interested members of the public to come together for a professional exchange on topics ranging from technological impacts to the marine industry, corresponding coverage in related codes and standards, and existing government regulations.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), issues this final rule to realign the compliance date set forth in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) final rule. Under the new final compliance date mariners must obtain a TWIC no later than April 15, 2009. This final rule also extends to April 15, 2009, the final date by which owners and operators of vessels, facilities, and outer continental shelf facilities, who have not otherwise been required to implement access control procedures utilizing TWIC on an earlier date, must implement those procedures.