Coast Guard 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent regulated navigation area for certain waters of Lake Washington. The regulated navigation area is intended to protect personnel and vessels from potential hazards created by excessive vessel wake prior to and following high traffic Seafair events.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) for March 2, 2020 through February 28, 2021. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may certify the PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound program established by the statute. The Coast Guard may certify an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of the PWSRCAC. The current certification for the PWSRCAC will expire March 1, 2020.

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 Main Branch of the Chicago River 600 feet west of the N Orleans Street Bridge and 1000 feet east of the N Columbus Street Bridge. This action is necessary and intended to protect the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after firework displays. During the enforcement periods listed below, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for the St. Thomas Lighted Boat Parade marine event. The special local regulation is for certain navigable waters of Crown Bay, Haulover Cay, and St. Thomas Harbor, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, spectators, and public during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters within one-tenth of a mile up and down river of Mile Marker (MM) 91.5 and Mile Marker (MM) 28.3 on the Illinois River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by diving operations for salvage work. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily modify the operating schedule that governs the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge (US 74/SR 133), across the Northeast Cape Fear River, at mile 1.0, at Wilmington, North Carolina. This proposed temporary modification will allow the drawbridge to be maintained in the closed position and is necessary to accommodate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for all navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of berth four at the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, CA during the offload of narcotics from a military vessel. The security zone is needed to protect the military vessel and vessel's personnel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Diego.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent safety zone around the Big Foot Tension Leg Platform (TLP), located in Walker Ridge 29 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this proposed rule is to protect the facility from any dangers associated with vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways that are not providing service to or working with the facility. Placing a permanent safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is proposing to revise an existing moving safety zone for San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The proposed revisions would expand the existing moving safety zone to include an adjacent berthing; add a 50-yard radius around moored liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas carriers; and update terminal names. This action would continue to prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative. This action is necessary to better meet the safety and security needs of San Juan Harbor. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

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: 1625-NEW, Merchant Mariner CredentialingJob Task Analysis. Our ICR describe 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 will enforce the special local regulation for the Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Boats on December 14, 2019. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the Charleston Harbor Christmas Parade of Boats. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the designated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on a portion of the Ohio River in Brookport, IL. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of Lock and Dam 52 involving explosives. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within 100 yards of a work site pulling new overhead electrical cables along a line crossing the Menominee River in Menominee, MI. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the installation of overhead electrical cables across the river. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan (COTP).

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 an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-028, Course Approval and Records for Merchant Marine Training Schools; without change. Our ICR describe 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 is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Spa Creek. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters in Annapolis, MD, during a fireworks display on December 31, 2019. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that governs the CSX Railroad swing bridge across the Tensaw River mile 15.0, Hurricane, Baldwin County, AL. This bridge will open on signal if at least ten-hours-notice is given. This rule is being changed because there are infrequent requests to open the bridge. This change will remove the drawbridge tender during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard is considering amending its regulations to establish new anchorage grounds in the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. We are considering this action after receiving requests suggesting additional anchorage grounds are necessary to accommodate current and future vessel traffic, improve navigation safety, and because traditional anchorage areas may not be available due to planned or potential offshore wind energy development. We invite your comments on whether we should initiate a rulemaking to amend our existing anchorage regulations based on this, or if the status quo should be maintained or other actions considered.

The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) to determine whether existing or additional vessel routing measures are necessary in the approaches to the Chesapeake Bay, VA. This PARS will consider whether existing or additional routing measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and planned improvements, increased vessel traffic, changing vessel traffic patterns, weather conditions, or navigational difficulty. Vessel routing measures are measures aimed at reducing the risk of casualties and include among others, traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas, and areas to be avoided. The recommendations of the study may lead to future rulemakings or appropriate international agreements.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 229.5 to MM 230.5, above Head of Passes. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment on these navigable waters near Baton Rouge, LA, during a New Year's Eve fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with several companies to evaluate the suitability of implementing Radio Frequency (RF) communications capabilities as virtualized services in a commercial cloud/Secure Cloud Computing Architecture (SCCA) environment. This CRADA would leverage CG network infrastructure, DISA Cloud Access Points (CAPs) and commercial cloud offerings to evaluate RF detection, processing, recording and distribution services. The CRADA will explore communication services that are developed to leverage virtualization and cloud hosting environments under a variety of scenarios. The Coast Guard is currently considering partnering with General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and solicits public comment on the possible participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA, and the nature of that participation. The Coast Guard also invites other potential non-Federal participants, who have the interest and capability to bring similar contributions to this type of research, to consider submitting proposals for consideration in similar CRADAs.

The Coast Guard is authorizing the Conrail Railroad Bridge, mile 1.48, across the River Rouge, to be operated remotely.

The United States Coast Guard will conduct a public meeting in Washington, DC on consistent implementation of regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex IV (Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit). The purpose of this meeting will be to review the MARPOL Annex VI provisions for implementing the Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit and the associated guidance developed through the International Maritime Organization, as well as discuss related issues and Coast Guard enforcement plans.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation on the waters of Christiansted Harbor, St Croix, Virgin Islands during the Beauty and the Beast Triathlon. Approximately 150 competitive swimmers are anticipated to participate in the race. The special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of race participants, participant vessels, and the general public during the event. The special local regulation establishes a race area, where all persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels who are participating in or supporting the race, will be prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is finalizing the policy harmonizing personal flotation device (PFD) standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs. As a result, PFD manufacturers can meet a single North American standard instead of separate standards for the United States and Canada. The standard is outlined in a policy letter with a supporting deregulatory savings analysis. This policy letter is intended to promote the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship missions. This policy does not affect existing PFD approvals and does not require any action on the part of boaters or mariners who have approved PFDs on board.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Mission Bay Parade of Lights special local regulations on the waters of Mission Bay, California on December 14, 2019. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, sponsor vessels, and general users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, persons and vessels are prohibited from anchoring, blocking, loitering, or impeding within this regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.