Coast Guard July 1, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is suspending several special local regulations and establishing temporary safety zones in various communities along the central and northern coastline of Massachusetts. These safety zones will last for the limited duration of the fireworks. The zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is increasing the limits of liability under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), for vessels and deepwater ports subject to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This interim rule also establishes the methodology the Coast Guard uses to adjust OPA 90 limits of liability for inflation, including the frequency with which such adjustments may be made. The inflation adjustments to the limits of liability are required by OPA 90 to preserve the deterrent effect and polluter-pays principle embodied in the OPA 90 liability provisions. Lastly, this interim rule makes minor amendments to clarify the applicability of the OPA 90 single-hull tank vessel limits of liability. Because the single-hull tank vessel amendments were not previously discussed in the notice of proposed rulemaking (hereafter the CPI NPRM), the Coast Guard is inviting additional public comment on this issue.