Coast Guard February 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC) will meet at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland, Ohio. GLPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary on a wide range of issues related to pilotage on the Great Lakes, including the rules and regulations that govern the registration, operating requirements, and training policies for all U.S. registered pilots. The Committee also advises on matters related to ratemaking to determine the appropriate charge for pilot services on the Great Lakes.

The Coast Guard has established 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 extend 1,000 yards ahead and astern and 500 yards on each side of certain vessels. 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 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 Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the SR 46 (Judge Seeber/Claiborne Avenue) Vertical Lift Bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, mile 0.9, (GIWW mile 6.7 EHL), at New Orleans, LA. The deviation is necessary to replace the counterweight wire ropes on the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for two (2) 120-hour time periods within a three week period.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary regulated navigation area on the navigable waters of the Hudson River south of the Troy Locks. This regulated navigation area is necessary to promote maritime safety, and protect mariners and the environment from the hazards associated with ice conditions. The regulated navigation area is intended to restrict vessels with less than 3000 horsepower while engaged in towing operations, from operating on the navigable waters of the Hudson River south of the Troy locks when ice conditions are 8 inches or greater unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the current regulations for fire suppression systems on several classes of commercial vessels. The amendments would clarify that approved alternatives to carbon dioxide systems may be used to protect some spaces on these vessels and would set general requirements for alternative systems.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), in coordination with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), is sponsoring a two-day public workshop in Washington DC on marine technology and standards. This public workshop will provide a unique opportunity for classification societies, industry groups, standards development organizations, government organizations, and other interested members of the public to come together for a professional exchange of information on topics ranging from the technological impact on the marine industry, corresponding coverage in related codes and standards, and government regulations. A related workshop was held in Arlington, VA, on June 3-4, 2008 (73 FR 25756, May 7, 2008), and this workshop will build upon many of the topics discussed there.

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee and its working group on the Revision of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-01 will meet in New Orleans, LA. 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit 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: 1625-0086, Great Lakes Pilotage. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (``HOGANSAC'' or ``the Committee'') and its working groups will meet in Houston, Texas to discuss waterway improvements, aids to navigation, area projects impacting safety on the Houston Ship Channel, and various other navigation safety matters in the Galveston Bay area. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway for the safe removal and replacement of the old and new approach spans of the Ben Sawyer Swing Bridge. This regulation is necessary to protect life and property on the navigable waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from the dangers associated with the construction project. No vessel or person is allowed in this zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.