Coast Guard January 22, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On December 2, 2013, the Coast Guard issued a temporary deviation, lasting approximately 10 weeks, from the operating schedule that governs the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. This temporary deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given. It 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 and when there is less impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river traffic increases. We are modifying that temporary deviation to allow for two three-day periods during the deviation when the bridge will remain in the closed-to- navigation position.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone encompassing certain waters of the Potomac River and Anacostia River. This action is necessary to safeguard persons and property, and prevent terrorist acts or incidents. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to depart the security zone, unless specifically exempt under the provisions in this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Christina River in Wilmington, DE, from January 18, 2014 to January 31, 2014, to be enforced for a period of 48 hours within this time frame. The safety zone will restrict vessel traffic on the Christina River in the immediate area of the M/V OCEAN FORCE, which will be moored inside a boundary described as originating from 39[deg]43'14'' N, 075[deg]31'41'' W; northeasterly to 39[deg]43'17'' N, 75[deg]31'40'' W; then east to 39[deg]43'15'' N, 075[deg]31'47'' W; then southwesterly to the shoreline at 39[deg]43'10'' N; 075[deg]31'30'' W. The safety zone is intended to facilitate 24 hour cargo operations in which a 110 ft object will be offloaded from the vessel to the facility. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the Christina River. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement to ensure the safety of the vessels and personnel involved with the cargo operation.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Upper New York Bay in the vicinity of Ellis Island, New York for a fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This rulemaking is intended to restrict all vessels from a portion of The Upper New York Bay before, during, and immediately after the fireworks event.

In 1999, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century made $5 million per year available for the payment of Coast Guard expenses for personnel and activities directly related to coordinating and carrying out the national recreational boating safety program. In 2005, the law was amended, and the amount was increased to $5.5 million. The Coast Guard is publishing this notice to satisfy a requirement of the Act that a detailed accounting of the projects, programs, and activities funded under the national recreational boating safety program provision of the Act be published annually in the Federal Register. This notice specifies the funding amounts the Coast Guard has committed, obligated, or expended during fiscal year 2013, as of September 30, 2013.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary moving safety zone on the waters of Charleston Harbor, in Charleston, South Carolina during the Charleston Sharkfest Swim on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The Charleston Sharkfest Swim is a 1500 meter swimming race. The safety zone is necessary for the safety of the swimmers, participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the swim. Persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.