Coast Guard July 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is creating a temporary safety zone upon the navigable waters of the Lake Moolvalya region on the lower Colorado River in support of the Bluewater Resort and Casino `300' Enduro boat race. 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 Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) and a selection of its subcommittees and working groups will hold meetings to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public. The subcommittees that will meet are Outreach, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 Standard, Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), and International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The working groups that will meet are Barge Emission and Hazard Communication, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and First Responders.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Roosevelt Island Bridge across the East River, mile 6.4, at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for one month to facilitate completion of ongoing bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Pacific Ocean at the north end of San Clemente Island in support of Naval Live Fire Training. 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 seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). NOSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters affecting the offshore industry.

The Coast Guard announces a public meeting to receive comments on the Baton Rouge Waterways Action Plan Annex.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special local regulation on the navigable waters of Long Island Sound between Port Jefferson, NY and Captain's Cove Seaport, Bridgeport, CT for the annual Swim Across the Sound event. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the swimmers' safety on the navigable waters of Long Island Sound. Under this proposed regulation, persons and vessels are prohibited from entering the regulated area during this annual event unless entry is authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound or by designated on-scene patrol personnel.

The Coast Guard requests public comments on the adequacy of existing regulations that provide the methodology for reviewing and adjusting rates for pilots on the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard seeks these comments in order to obtain a better understanding of how well Great Lakes shippers, Great Lakes pilots, and the general public think those formulas represent the realities of commercial shipping on the Great Lakes and fairly balance competing considerations. The Coast Guard will refer the comments it receives to the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee for review and recommendations.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during various swim and high speed race events to be held along the coast of Massachusetts, June through September 2009. These 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 before, during and after each event.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a 280-foot radius safety zone on the Chesapeake Bay in the vicinity of the Cape Charles Town Harbor, Cape Charles, VA in support of the Cape Charles Tomato Festival Fireworks event. This action is intended to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays by restricting vessel traffic movement in the vicinity of the event.

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: 1625-0012, Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

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) 1625-0033, Display of Fire Control Plans for Vessels; and (2) 1625-0039, Declaration of Inspection Before Transfer of Liquid Cargo in Bulk. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

The Coast Guard is removing the regulations governing the operation of the Ernest Lyons (SR A1A) Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 984.9 at Stuart, Florida, and the Memorial Clearwater Causeway (SR 60) Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 136.0, at Clearwater, Florida. The bascule bridges have been removed, and fixed replacement bridges have been constructed. The regulations controlling the opening and closing of the drawbridges are no longer necessary.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing the M/V Del Monte. This safety zone will restrict vessel traffic on a portion of the James River within a 1,500-foot radius of the M/V Del Monte. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement in the vicinity of the James River Reserve Fleet to protect mariners from the hazards associated with live fire and explosive training events.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing safety zones on the waters of the Puget Sound located in the Captain of the Port Puget Sound Zone during multiple firework displays. This action is necessary for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during these events. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters off of Richmond, CA, in support of a fireworks display for a corporate party at the Craneway building. This safety zone is established to ensure the safety of participants and spectators from the dangers associated with the pyrotechnics. 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 or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce certain safety zones for annual fireworks displays in the Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. This action is necessary for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during these events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zones without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Blynman (SR127) Bridge across the Blynman Canal at mile 0.0, at Gloucester, Massachusetts. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the 2009 Gloucester Triathlon. The deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position during this public event in the interest of public safety.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Washington Street S136 Bridge across the Norwalk River, mile 0.0, at Norwalk, Connecticut. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for five weekends in July and August to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing 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 will enforce the security and safety zone in 33 CFR 165.1318 for large passenger vessels operating in the Portland, Oregon Captain of the Port Zone during the dates and times listed in DATES. This action is necessary to ensure the security and safety of the large passenger vessels, including their crew and passengers, as well as the maritime public. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the security and safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon.

On May 8, 2009, the Coast Guard published a direct final rule that notified the public of the Coast Guard's intent to amend its vessel inspection regulations to add the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) certificate to the list of certificates a recognized classification society may be authorized to issue on behalf of the United States. We have not received an adverse comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, on this rule. Therefore, the rule will go into effect as scheduled.

The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone upon the navigable waters of Lake Moovalya region on the lower Colorado River in support of the Parker U.S. Open Nationals. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other 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 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.