Coast Guard March 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 6 New Bedford Fairhaven Bridge across the Acushnet River, mile 0.0, between New Bedford and Fairhaven, Massachusetts. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate a public event, the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center 5K Road Race, by allowing the bridge to remain in the closed position for two hours during the running of the 5K Road Race.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge, mile 1.8, across the Hackensack River at Jersey City, New Jersey. This deviation allows the bridge owner to require a two hour advance notice for bridge openings April through September and several bridge closures to facilitate bridge painting operations. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the U.S. Highway 101 bascule bridge across the Chehalis River, mile 0.1, at Aberdeen, Washington. At least one-hour notice by telephone will be required at all times for draw openings. The change is necessary to allow the bridge owner to reduce the staffing requirements of the bridge in light of the infrequent openings requested for the bridge.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), Marine Safety Unit Duluth, MN is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Red River, MN. This safety zone is being established to ensure the safety of the public. The safety zone will prevent individuals from entering all navigable waters of the Red River in the State of Minnesota north of a line drawn across latitude 46[deg]20'00'' N, including those portions of the river in Wilkin, Clay, Norman, Polk, Marshall and Kittson counties, to the United States-Canada international border.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the San Diego Bay in support of the United Portuguese SES Centennial Festa. 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 seeks applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee (CFIVSAC). The CFIVSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe operation of commercial fishing industry vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing two safety zones on the waters of Puget Sound, WA for firework displays. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the fireworks displays. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the regulations establishing permanent safety zones in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone during annual events. When these safety zones are activated, and thus subject to enforcement, this rule would restrict vessels from portions of water areas during annual events that pose a hazard to public safety. The safety zones amended by this proposed rule are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays, boat races, and other events.

This document supplements the Coast Guard's October 6, 2009 proposal to establish a permanent Special Local Regulation on the navigable waters of Huntington Bay, New York due to the annual Fran Schnarr Open Water Championships. The Special Local Regulation is required to provide for the safety of life by protecting swimmers and their safety craft from the hazards imposed by marine traffic. This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking will reduce the size of the proposed regulated area, clarify the course description and revise the anticipated enforcement period of the special local regulation.

The National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) and its subcommittees will meet on April 15-17, 2010, in Arlington, VA. The meetings will be open to the public.

The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) will meet in New Orleans LA to discuss various issues relating to offshore safety and security. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the drawbridge operation regulation for the U.S. Highway 101 Bullards Ferry Bridge that crosses over the Coquille River at mile 3.5 near Bandon, Oregon so that the vertical lift span will not need to open for ten months while the bridge is being painted. The rule is necessary to ensure that the painting operation will not be disrupted by bridge openings. The bridge has not had to be opened for a vessel in seven years.

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel CALLAIS PROVIDER as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel BUMBLE BEE as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel JOE GRIFFIN as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

The Coast Guard has established a permanent security zone in the Freeport LNG Basin. This security zone is needed to protect vessels, waterfront facilities, the public, and other surrounding areas from destruction, loss, or injury caused by sabotage, subversive acts, accidents, or other actions of a similar nature. Entry into this zone is prohibited, except for vessels that have obtained the express permission from the Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary security zone in certain waters of Washington Channel on the Potomac River. The security zone is necessary to provide for the security and safety of life and property of event participants, spectators and mariners during the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant's Change of Command ceremony from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on May 25, 2010. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operation regulations of the S213 Bridge, at mile 26.8, across Chester River at Chestertown, MD. This final rule allows the bridge to open on signal if at least six hours notice is given and will provide for the reasonable needs of navigation, due to the anticipated infrequency of requests for vessel openings of the drawbridge.

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: 1625-0056, Labeling required in 33 CFR Parts 181 and 183 and 46 CFR 25.10-3. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Berkley Bridge across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 0.4, at Norfolk, Virginia. This deviation is necessary to test another change in the drawbridge operation schedule based on comments received from the first test deviation published on October 9, 2009.

The Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee (DRBOSAC) will meet in Philadelphia, PA to discuss various issues to improve oil spill prevention and response strategies for the Delaware River and Bay. This meeting will be open to the public.