Coast Guard February 11, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter when there is less impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river traffic increases. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to- navigation position while a bent shaft and damaged gear assembly are replaced.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) that sets forth the Coast Guard's policies and procedures regarding the inspection of U.S. vessels for voluntary compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (Convention), which enters into force on August 20, 2013. The NVIC will provide guidance to the maritime industry, Coast Guard marine inspectors, and other affected parties on how the Coast Guard intends to implement the new voluntary inspection program. This notice solicits public comment on the impacts that the policies and procedures contained in the NVIC would have on applicable vessels and other affected parties. This notice also solicits public comment on the collection of information associated with the new voluntary inspection program.