Coast Guard April 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the Portland Rose Festival Security Zone on the Willamette River from 1 p.m. on June 3, 2009, until 10 a.m. June 8, 2009. This action is necessary to ensure the safety and security of maritime traffic, including the public vessels present, on the Willamette River during the Portland Rose Festival. During the enforcement period, entry into the security zone detailed in 33 CFR 165.1312 is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Portland or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish moving security zones for certain vessels, for which the Captain of the Port, Houston- Galveston deems enhanced security measures necessary on a case-by-case basis. These moving security zones would extend 1,000 yards ahead and astern and 500 yards on each side of certain vessels, which would display the international signal flag or pennant number five to signal a security zone is established around the vessel. The moving security zone may commence at any point after certain vessels bound for the Port of Freeport enter the U.S. territorial waters (12 nautical miles) in the Captain of the Port (COTP) Houston-Galveston zone. These security zones are needed to safeguard the vessels, the public, and the surrounding area from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. Unless exempted under this rule, entry into or movement within these security zones would be prohibited without permission from the COTP Houston-Galveston.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone within the Lake Moolvalya region of the navigable waters of the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona for the Blue Water Resort and Casino APBA National Tour Rounds 1 & 2. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting though, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of St. Thomas Harbor in support of the Virgin Islands Carnival Finale fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of spectators, participating vessels and their crews, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Juan or the designated representative.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Hamilton Avenue Bridge across the Gowanus Canal, mile 1.2, at Brooklyn, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge shall require a four-hour advance notice for bridge openings for three months and a three day bridge closure to facilitate bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bascule Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 357.2 west of Harvey Locks, at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for five hours a day for 14 non-consecutive days in order to perform scheduled maintenance.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the Coronado Fourth of July Fireworks. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of crew, spectators, and other users and vessels of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this temporary safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the Red Bull Air Races. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the crew, spectators, participants and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized to do so by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

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), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0101, Periodic Gauging and Engineering Analyses for Certain Tank Vessels Over 30 Years Old; (2) 1625-0102, National Response Resource Inventory; and (3) 1625- 0103, Mandatory Ship Reporting System for the Northeast and Southeast Coasts of the United States. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge, at Mile 16.0, across the Keweenaw Waterway, in Houghton, MI. Under this temporary deviation, the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge will be allowed to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during specific dates and times. The deviation is necessary to perform reconstruction to the city streets that access the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge.

The Coast Guard is proposing to update the rates for pilotage on the Great Lakes by 9.41%, effective August 1, 2009, to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and returns on investment. The proposed update reflects an August 1, 2009, increase in benchmark contractual wages and benefits, as well as an increase in the ratio of pilots to ``bridge hours.'' This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard strategic goal of maritime safety.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Northwest Harbor of San Clemente Island in support of the Naval Underwater Detonation. This safety zone is necessary to ensure non-authorized personnel and vessels remain safe by keeping clear of the hazardous area during the training activity. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone on the navigable waters of the lower Colorado River, Laughlin, NV, in support of a fireworks display near the AVI Resort and Casino. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of Mission Bay in support of the Sea World 4th of July Fireworks Display. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of crew, spectators, and other users and vessels of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Chesapeake and Portsmouth, VA during demolition of the Jordan Bridge. This action is intended to protect mariners and public property on the Elizabeth River from the hazards associated with bridge demolition.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone, on the navigable waters of Mission Bay in support of the Sea World Spring Nights. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the Piankatank River in the vicinity of Gwynn Island, VA in support of the Gwynn Island 4th of July Fireworks event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Piankatank River to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and its working groups on the Revision of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 04-01, and on the Clarification of Current Licensing Regulations pertaining to Apprentice Mates (Steersmen) will meet in Dania Beach, FL. The Committee will also discuss various issues relating to shallow- draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard announces the location for a public meeting to receive comments on an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) entitled Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)Reader Requirements that was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2009. As stated in that document, the ANPRM discusses the Coast Guard's preliminary thoughts on potential requirements for owners and operators of certain vessels and facilities regulated by the Coast Guard under 33 CFR chapter I, subchapter H, for use of electronic readers designed to work with TWICs as an access control measure.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of San Diego Bay in support of the Fireworks Display. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Louisiana State Route 23 (LA 23) vertical lift span bridge, also known as the Judge Perez Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for six hours a day for 21 consecutive days in order to perform scheduled maintenance.

The Coast Guard is withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the operation of the State Route 46 (LA 46) Bridge across LaLoutre Bayou, mile 22.9, at Yscloskey, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the I-110 bascule span bridge across the Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 3.0, in Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for two (2) two-hour periods daily to facilitate the movement of vehicular traffic.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding two Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0097, Plan Approval and Records for Marine Engineering Systems46 CFR Subchapter F; and (2) 1625-0099, Requirements for the Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Compressed Natural Gas as Cooking Fuel on Passenger Vessels. 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 announces a public meeting to receive comments on an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) entitled Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)Reader Requirements that was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2009. As stated in that document, the ANPRM discusses the Coast Guard's preliminary thoughts on potential requirements for owners and operators of certain vessels and facilities regulated by the Coast Guard under 33 CFR chapter I, subchapter H, for use of electronic readers designed to work with TWICs as an access control measure.