Coast Guard October 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Savannah River in Savannah, GA from statute mile 13 to statute mile 15. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a boat parade. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah or a designated representative.

We are extending the comment period on the subject request for comments that we published August 14, 2017. We are extending the deadline by 30 days because interested parties indicated the need for additional time to respond due to the effects from Hurricane Harvey. The comment period is now open through November 30, 2017.

The Coast Guard finalizes, without change, an interim rule to update the table of outboard engine weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required amounts of flotation material. The engine weight table was last updated in 1984, and the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 requires that the Coast Guard update the table to reflect a specific standard. Finalizing the interim rule will acknowledge the two public comments received, and contribute to public awareness of and certainty about the June 1, 2018, effective date.

The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the NASA Railroad Bridge (Jay Jay Bridge) across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Indian River), mile 876.6, Titusville, Florida. This modified deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to continue repairs to the bridge. Due to delays and damage caused by Hurricane Irma, additional repairs will be required causing the bridge to remain closed to navigation periodically throughout the day. This deviation is deemed necessary for the continued safe operation of the bridge.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Snake Creek Bridge across Snake Creek, at Islamorada, FL. The deviation is necessary to alleviate the increased traffic congestion on US 1 Highway resulting from relief efforts after the passing of Hurricane Irma. This deviation allows the bridge to open once every two hours verses the current operating regulation. Local officials are requesting this action to assist in reducing the long line of traffic backups caused by the bridge openings.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0036, Plan Approval and Records for U.S. and Foreign Tank Vessels Carrying Oil in Bulk; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0109, Drawbridge Operation Regulations; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0022, Application for Tonnage Measurement of Vessels; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

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 for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0057, Small Passenger VesselsTitle 46 Subchapters K and T. Our ICR describes 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.

The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee and its Subcommittees will hold meetings in Houston, Texas to discuss the safety of operations and other matters affecting the offshore oil and gas industry. These meetings are open to the public.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the Atlantic Beach Bridge across Reynolds Channel, mile 0.4 at Lawrence, New York. This action is necessary to allow for an unexpected delay in the reconstruction and painting of the bascule leaves. A temporary deviation was previously granted for a length of 180 days. As the Coast Guard may not approve extensions beyond that allotted timeframe nor approve back-to-back or sequential deviations, it is necessary to issue this rule in order to allow the bridge owner to complete the remaining work items.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) for the navigable waters within 150-yards of the Beals Island Bridge between Jonesport, ME, and Beals Island, ME. The RNA is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential hazards created by the demolition, subsequent removal, and replacement of the Beals Island Bridge. This RNA will establish speed and beam restrictions on vessels transiting the regulated area during bridge replacement operations. This rule will also allow the Coast Guard to prohibit vessel traffic through the RNA when necessary.

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 for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0073, Alteration of Unreasonably Obstructive Bridges. Our ICR describes 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.

On October 10, 2017, the fishing vessel PACIFIC PARADISE ran aground off of the navigable waters of Mamala Bay near Waikiki at Kaimana Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. On October 11, 2017, the Coast Guard established for seven days a temporary safety zone encompassing all waters extending 500 yards in all directions around the grounded fishing vessel located approximately 350 yards southwest of Kaimana Beach in position 21[deg]15.69' N.; 157[deg]49.49' W. to assist with vessel salvage operations. On October 18, 2017 the Coast Guard will extend the safety zone for two additional weeks while salvage operations continue. The temporary safety zone currently stationary around the grounded vessel will become a moving safety zone during the salvage and removal operation and remain a moving safety zone so until the towing operation is complete. During salvage and removal operations, the zone will continue to encompass 500 yards in all directions around the vessel at all times. When salvage tow operations commence, the Coast Guard will provide notice via a broadcast notice to mariners. The extension of this safety zone and shift to a moving safety zone during salvage and removal are necessary to protect personnel, vessels and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with ongoing operations to remove a grounded vessel in this area. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Honolulu.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the SR 401 Drawbridge, mile 5.5 at Port Canaveral, Florida. This modified regulation is necessary to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and to ensure the safety of the roadways while passengers are transiting to and from Cruise Terminal 10, which is used by Norwegian Cruise Line at Port Canaveral. Since the homeporting of the cruise ship Norwegian Epic in the Port of Canaveral, traffic back-ups have been caused by the drawbridge openings. This modified regulation allows the bridge not to open to navigation during typical cruise-ship passenger loading and unloading times on Saturdays and Sundays.

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 for the following collection of information: 1625New, GOCOASTGUARD.COM Prospect Questionnaire, Chat Now Questionnaire, and The Officer Program Application. Our ICR describes 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 for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0019, Alternative Compliance for International and Inland Navigation Rules. Our ICR describes 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 for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0002, Application for Vessel Inspection, Waiver, and Continuous Synopsis Record. Our ICR describes 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 intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0072, Waste Management Plans, Refuse Discharge Logs, Letters of Instruction for Certain Persons-in-Charge (PIC) and Great Lakes Dry Cargo Residue Recordkeeping. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

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 for reinstatement, without change, of the following collection of information: 1625-0082, Navigation Safety Information and Emergency Instructions for Certain Towing Vessels. Our ICR describes 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.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the DELAIR Memorial Railroad Bridge across the Delaware River, mile 104.6, at Pennsauken Township, NJ. This deviation will test the remote operation capability of the drawbridge to determine whether the bridge can be safely operated from a remote location. This deviation will allow the bridge to be remotely operated from the Conrail South Jersey dispatch center in Mount Laurel, NJ, instead of being operated by an on-site bridge tender.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Ohio River extending from mile marker (MM) 469.5 to MM 470.1. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters near Cincinnati, OH, during the Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of the updated alternative planning criteria national guidelines for vessel response plans (VRPs). These national guidelines provide the maritime industry with updated information on developing and submitting alternative planning criteria (alternatives). Furthermore, they facilitate consistency in the Coast Guard's review of proposed alternatives.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge on State Road 384 across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) at mile marker (MM) 237.5, West of Harvey Locks (WHL) at Grand Lake, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to make extensive repairs to the bridge.

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 and South Branch of the Chicago River between mile marker 318.9 and mile marker 321.9 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on October 29, 2017. This action is necessary to protect the waterway and vessels from the potential hazards associated with a rowing competition.