Coast Guard December 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the 1,000 foot safety zones during the Sacramento New Years Eve Fireworks Display in the navigable waters of the Sacramento River during the dates and times noted below. 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 Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Route 675 Bridge across Pocomoke River, mile 15.6, at Pocomoke City, MD. The deviation restricts the operation of the draw span to facilitate an electrical outage for testing purposes.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the annual San Francisco New Year's Eve Fireworks Display in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility during the dates and times noted below. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. 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 proposes to update recurring special local regulations and safety zones in the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Northern New England Zone for annual recurring marine events. When these special local regulations or safety zones are subject to enforcement, this rule would restrict vessels from portions of water areas during these annual recurring events. The revised special local regulations and safety zones would expedite public notification of events, and ensure the protection of the maritime public and event participants from the hazards associated with these annual recurring events.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of Policy Letter 11-15, which describes steps the Coast Guard is taking to implement a statutory change in mariner credentialing requirements. This policy letter details how the Coast Guard is relaxing its Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enforcement posture for mariners who serve on board vessels that are not required to have a vessel security plan. It also describes policy changes to allow these mariners to acquire and renew a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) without holding a valid TWIC.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operations of two New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) bridges: The Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare, NJICW mile 67.2 and the US 40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, both at Atlantic City, NJ. The change will alter the dates that these bridges are allowed to have delayed openings or remain in the closed position to accommodate heavy volumes of vehicular traffic due to the annual July 4th fireworks shows and the annual Air Show at Bader Field.

The Coast Guard is establishing three temporary safety zones during New Year's Eve fireworks displays on certain navigable waterways in Miami Beach and West Palm Beach, Florida. These safety zones are necessary to protect the public from the hazards associated with launching fireworks over navigable waters of the United States. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within any of the three safety zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from Mile Marker 296.1 to Mile Marker 296.7 at various times from December 21, 2011 until December 22, 2011. This action is necessary to protect the waterways, waterway users, and vessels from hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' maintenance operations of dispersal barrier IIB. During these operations, dispersal barriers IIA and IIB will be running simultaneously at 2.3 volts per inch necessitating the restriction to reduce potential safety hazards. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, mooring, laying-up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations on the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway in Boca Raton, Florida during the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The marine parade will consist of approximately 60 vessels. The marine parade will begin at C-15 Canal then head south on the Intracoastal Waterway to the Hillsborough Bridge, where the marine parade will conclude. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the marine parade. The special local regulations consist of a series of moving buffer zones around participant vessels as they transit from C- 15 Canal to the Hillsborough Bridge. Persons and vessels that are not participating in the marine parade are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within any of the buffer zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of revisions to the following collections of information: 1625-0034, Ships' Stores Certification for Hazardous Materials Aboard Ships; and 1625-0043, Ports and Waterways SafetyTitle 33 CFR Subchapter P. Our ICRs describe the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of a revision to the following collection of information: 1625-0004, United States Coast Guard Academy Application and Supplemental Forms. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Chicago River South Branch near Chicago, Illinois. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the Chicago River South Branch due to the installation of submarine cables in the vicinity of the Madison Street Bridge. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect the surrounding public and vessels from the hazards associated with the installation of submarine cables in the vicinity of the Madison Street Bridge. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Upper Mississippi River, from Mile 389.4 to 403.1, extending the entire width of the river located on the Iowa and Illinois border. This safety zone is needed to protect bridge span movement operations on the Upper Mississippi River. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee. This Committee provides advice to the Coast Guard on matters related to medical certification determinations for issuance of merchant mariner credentials; medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; medical examiner education; and medical research.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay near Sausalito, California in support of the Sausalito Yacht Club's Annual Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Display. This temporary safety zone is established to ensure the safety of participants and spectators from the dangers associated with 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 their designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of western Long Island Sound in the vicinity of Mamaroneck, NY in support of the New York Fun Factory Fireworks display. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters and to protect mariners and spectators from the hazards associated with fireworks display. Vessels will be prohibited from entering, transiting, mooring or anchoring within the proposed zone during the enforcement period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) New York or the designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations on the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach, Florida during the Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The marine parade will consist of approximately 50 vessels. The marine parade will begin at Lake Santa Barbara, transit north on the Intracoastal Waterway, and end at the Hillsborough Bridge. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the marine parade. The special local regulations consist of a series of moving buffer zones around participant vessels as they transit from Lake Santa Barbara to the Hillsborough Bridge. Persons and vessels that are not participating in the marine parade are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within any of the buffer zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.

The U.S. Coast Guard is reopening the comment period to further its outreach efforts and solicit additional comments concerning its Port Access Route Study being conducted along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the S189 Bridge over Blackwater River, mile 9.2, at South Quay, VA. The proposed rule would change the current regulation requiring a 24-hour advance notice and allow the bridge to remain in the closed position for the passage of vessels. There have been no requests for openings in 11 years.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). This Committee advises the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to personnel in the U.S. merchant marine, including but not limited to training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness standards.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Union Pacific Railroad Swing Span Bridge across the Old Brazos River, mile 4.4, at Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for four days to replace lift cables.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Amtrak Pelham Bay Railroad Bridge at mile 0.5, across the Hutchinson River at the Bronx, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled maintenance at the bridge, pinion shaft bushing replacement. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for four days.

The Coast Guard is establishing three special anchorage areas in Wells Harbor, Wells, Maine. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation in that area and provide safe and secure anchorages for vessels not more than 20 meters in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property in Wells Harbor, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a portion of West Bay Creek and West Bay, to include all waters between the Highway 79 Fixed Bridge and the mouth of West Bay Creek out to buoy markers 27 and 28 of the Intracoastal Waterway. This action is necessary for the protection of vessels and persons on navigable waters during the replacement of overhead power lines. Entry into, transiting or anchoring in this zone is prohibited to all vessels and persons unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the SR 23 bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Due to increased vehicular traffic, the State of Louisiana requested a change to the operation schedule, allowing the bridge to open only on the hour during the day from Monday through Friday, while maintaining morning and afternoon maritime restrictions.