Coast Guard November 17, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Washington State Route 529 (SR 529) twin bridge south bound across the Snohomish River, mile 3.6, at Everett, WA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate adjustment of newly installed bridge joints. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed position during adjustment and maintenance activities.

The Coast Guard is establishing a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) for the waters of Lake Michigan within 5 nautical miles from shore from the Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois. This RNA is intended to allow barges to transit on an alternate route on a portion of Lake Michigan due to the temporary closure of the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock on RM 326.5 on the Calumet River. This RNA is necessary to ensure vessel safety and facilitate commerce.

The Coast Guard published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 10, 2014, requiring the use of wearable personal flotation devices for individuals on board uninspected non-passenger commercial barges and sailing vessels. In the final rule, the Coast Guard amended several tables to reflect this requirement. However, in a subsequent final rule regarding non-substantive changes, the Coast Guard removed the same tables in an effort to consolidate the regulations by referencing to a common table instead. The original final rule's amendatory instructions can no longer be amended as the tables were removed prior to the original final rule's effective date by the subsequent effective final rule. This correction removes the amendatory instructions in the original final rule for the affected tables.