Coast Guard May 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor from May 2009 through June 2009. This action is necessary protect vessels and people from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the security zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and two public meetings, one in Staten Island, New York (NY) and one in Elizabeth, New Jersey (NJ), on the proposed replacement of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's (PANYNJ) Goethals Bridge across the Arthur Kill between Staten Island, NY, and Elizabeth, NJ. We request your comments on the Goethals Bridge Replacement DEIS.

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee will meet in New Orleans to discuss various issues relating to navigational safety on the Lower Mississippi River and related waterways. This meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of San Pablo Bay, California for training purposes. This safety zone is established to ensure the safety of the public and participating crews from potential hazards associated with fast-moving Coast Guard small boats taking part in the exercises. Blank ammunition will be used during these exercises. 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 San Francisco or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone, on the navigable waters of Mission Bay in support of the Sea World May Fireworks. 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 is establishing a safety zone for an air and water show in the Captain of the Port Buffalo zone. This rule is intended to restrict vessels from areas of water during events that pose a hazard to public safety. The safety zone established by this rule is necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with an air and water show.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone, upon the navigable waters of Mission Bay in support of the Sea World Memorial Day Fireworks. 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 SR 46 (St. Claude Avenue) bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock) in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for approximately 36 consecutive hours within two 42 hour windows of opportunity to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

In response to requests received, the Coast Guard announces a third public meeting, to be held on June 2, 2009, to receive comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled ``Regulated Navigation Areas; Bars Along the Coasts of Oregon and Washington'' that was published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2009 (74 FR 7022).

The Coast Guard will enforce the Fourth of July Fireworks, City of Sausalito, safety zone from 9 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. on July 4, 2009, in position 37[deg]51'31'' N, 122[deg]28'28'' W. 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).

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Ocean City, MD to support the Ocean City Air Show. This action will restrict vessel traffic on the Atlantic Ocean to protect mariners from the hazards associated with air show events.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the Big Bay July Fourth Show to benefit the San Diego Armed Services YMCA. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the 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 Pacific Ocean in support of the Fireworks Radio Network Fourth of July Fireworks. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the 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 safety zone on the navigable waters of Mission Bay in support of the Sea World Fireworks Season Kickoff. 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 is temporarily changing the enforcement period of special local regulations for recurring marine events in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only five recurring marine events that conduct on-water activities such as power boat races, swimming competitions, and harbor celebrations. Special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the events. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Chester River, MD; Rappahannock River, VA; Elizabeth River, Southern Branch, VA; North Atlantic Ocean, Ocean City, MD; and Pasquotank, River, Elizabeth, NC during each event.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the enforcement period of special local regulations for a recurring marine event in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only one recurring marine event that conducts ``workboat races''. 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 a portion of the York River, VA, during the event.

The Coast Guard gives notice that, in accord with a recent Supreme Court decision, it will no longer inspect permanently moored craft or issue Certificates of Inspection to such craft unless a craft demonstrates that it is a vessel, capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. This notice discusses the implications of the Supreme Court decision and responds to comments received in response to a 2004 notice that proposed a policy for permanently moored vessels.

The Coast Guard announces the reopening of the comment period to receive comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``Regulated Navigation Areas; Bars Along the Coasts of Oregon and Washington'' that was published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2009. As stated in the NPRM, the Coast Guard proposes to establish Regulated Navigation Areas (RNA) covering specific bars along the coasts of Oregon and Washington that will include procedures for restricting and/or closing those bars as well as additional safety requirements for recreational and small commercial vessels operating in the RNAs. The RNAs are necessary to help ensure the safety of the persons and vessels operating in those hazardous bar areas. The RNAs will do so by establishing clear procedures for restricting and/or closing the bars and mandating additional safety requirements for recreational and small commercial vessels operating in the RNAs when certain conditions exist.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). This Committee advises the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine.

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone from mile marker 0.0 (Point State Park) on the Allegheny River to mile marker 1.0 (Norfolk and Southern Railroad Bridge), extending 328 feet out from the left descending bank. This safety zone is needed to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with the Venture Outdoors Festival event. Entry into this zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the waters of the Allegheny River from mile marker 0.4 to mile marker 0.6, extending the entire width of the river. This safety zone is needed to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with the Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks Display. Entry into this zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone from mile marker 0.5 (Roberto Clemente Highway Bridge) on the Allegheny River to mile marker 1.4 (16th Street Highway Bridge), extending 500 feet out from the right descending bank. This safety zone is needed to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with the Urban Adventure's Adventure Race event. Entry into this zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard amends the vessel inspection regulations to expand the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP). Through these amendments, we are updating the list of certificates the Coast Guard issues, incorporating Coast Guard policy regarding eligibility requirements for classification societies participating in the ACP, recognizing classification societies other than the American Bureau of Shipping, and expanding the ACP to include oceanographic research vessels.