Coast Guard June 14, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard proposes to add three new permanent safety zones to the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Boston Zone annual recurring marine events. When activated and subject to enforcement, these permanent safety zones would restrict vessels from portions of water areas during annual recurring events. These three permanent safety zones would expedite public notification of these annual recurring events, and ensure the protection of the maritime public and event participants from the hazards associated with these annual recurring events.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating regulation that governs the San Joaquin County Highway Bridge across Bishop Cut, mile 1.0, near Stockton, CA. The deviation is to allow San Joaquin County Public Works Department to perform structural maintenance work to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the repairs.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Metropolitan District Commission (Craigie) Bridge across the Charles River, mile 1.0, at Boston, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for two hours on July 4, 2013, to facilitate the Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks. This deviation is necessary to facilitate public safety during a public event.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Fourth of July Fireworks Display regulations on certain navigable waterways in Hilton Head Island, Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston, South Carolina, from approximately 8 p.m. through 11 p.m. on July 4, 2013. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the Fourth of July Fireworks Displays. During the enforcement period, and in accordance with previously issued special local regulations, vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston designated representatives.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend special local regulations for annual regattas and marine parades in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone. This proposed rule is intended to provide for the safety of life and property on navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after regattas or marine parades. This proposed rule will establish restrictions upon, and control the movement of, vessels in a portion of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify several aspects of the safety and security zones within the Sector San Juan Captain of the Port Zone. This action is necessary to consolidate, clarify, and otherwise modify safety and security zone regulations to eliminate unnecessary regulations and better meet the safety and security needs of the Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Island port communities. This action would modify existing safety zones; consolidate safety and security zones currently found in separate regulations into four regional regulations; and add and remove safety and security zones. Additionally, safety zones governing port closures in the event of a natural and other disasters have been added.