Coast Guard 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard announces that the Eleventh Coast Guard District's Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the USNS HARVEY MILK (O.N. CG1473700) and USNS EARL WARREN (O.N. CG1473701). We are issuing this notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to the design and operation of the ship's whistles, USNS HARVEY MILK and USNS EARL WARREN cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the design and construction of each vessel. This notification of issuance of a certificate of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety mission.

The Coast Guard published a document in the Federal Register on March 30, 2021, concerning a notice of a decision on a consolidation of Coast Guard boat stations. The document contained an incorrect docket number.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent safety zones for certain waters of Vieques, Puerto Rico. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters near the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico due to unexploded ordnances. This rulemaking will prohibit mariners from anchoring, dredging, or trawling in the designated areas. It will also prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zones during clearance operations, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

We are requesting public comments regarding the potential establishment of an anchorage ground in an area referred to by mariners as the ``Ambrose anchorage,'' which is an offshore area that has been used by ships awaiting inshore anchorages or berths. The area is located in the approaches to New York, approximately 3 nautical miles south of Long Beach, New York, and just north of the Nantucket to Ambrose Traffic Lane. The Coast Guard is considering formally establishing an anchorage ground at this location, possibly with regulations governing its use, if doing so will improve navigation safety and enhance safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce. We are seeking your comments on the benefits and impacts of establishing a regulated anchorage ground, and if so, what types of requirements we should consider for the Coast Guard oversight of the anchorage ground.

The Coast Guard is extending the comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking published January 15, 2021, that seeks comments on the potential use of Safety Management Systems to improve safety and reduce marine casualties on board U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. We are extending the comment period an additional 45 days, to June 1, 2021.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Riverfest fireworks display on the Neches River in Port Neches, TX from 8:30 p.m. through 10 p.m. on May 1, 2021 to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for fireworks displays and other events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Port Neches, TX. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce safety zones surrounding vessels involved in Coast Guard training exercises in Hood Canal, WA, from May 24, 2021, through May 28, 2021. This enforcement is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public and vessels near training exercises. During the enforcement period, entry into the safety zones is prohibited, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or their Designated Representative.

The National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet via teleconference to discuss matters relating to medical certification determinations for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners' documents, medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels, medical examiner education, and medical research. The meeting will be open to the public.

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: 1625-0120, U.S. Coast Guard Exchange Non-Appropriated Fund Employment Application; 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.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a recurring safety zone for certain waters of Apra Outer Harbor. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Apra Harbor, Guam, during fireworks displays. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Guam (COTP) or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the Charleston Race Week from April 8, 2021 through April 11, 2021. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the Charleston Race Week event. Our regulation for marine events within the Seventh Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Charleston, SC. 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 changing the operating schedule that governs the Seaboard Systems Railroad Bridge across the Little Manatee River, mile 2.4, in Ruskin, Hillsborough County, FL. This rule updates the name of the swing bridge and allow the swing bridge to be operated remotely. The draw is maintained in the closed position and will open with a three hour notice to the remote bridge tender.

The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting nominations for persons interested in serving as a member of the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (Committee). The Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant on matters relating to Great Lakes pilotage, including review of proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations and policies.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish temporary special local regulations for certain waters of the Choptank River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located between Trappe, Talbot County, MD, and Cambridge, Dorchester County, MD, during a swim event on May 16, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard announces the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This certification allows the PWSRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under an alternative composition, other than prescribed, the Prince William Sound Program established by the Oil Terminal and Oil Tanker Environmental Oversight and Monitoring Act of 1990.

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: 1625-0093, Facilities Transferring Oil or Hazardous Materials in BulkLetter of Intent and Operations Manual; 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.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) in the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay, near Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA in support of the Bay Guardian 2021 exercise. This special local regulation will temporarily restrict vessel traffic in the vicinity of Treasure Island and prohibit vessels and persons not participating in the exercise from entering the regulated area. The purpose of the exercise it to use radioactive detection equipment in a mock scenario. The exercise will be interrupted, as necessary, to permit the passage of commercial vessel traffic. Exercise participants and non-participants operating within the SLR area shall comply with all instructions given by the on-scene Patrol Commander monitoring the event. This regulation is necessary to provide safety of life on the navigable waters during the exercise, which will be held on March 17, 2021.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for all navigable waters within a 200-yard radius of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) BERTHOLF while berthed at 10th Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, CA. The security zone is needed to protect the military vessel, personnel in and around the military vessel, navigable waterways, and waterfront facilities. 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 establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Red River (RR), Mile Marker 58 through 60. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with line pulling operations in the vicinity of Moncla, LA. Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

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: 1625-0044, Outer Continental Shelf Activities; 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: 1625-0100, Advanced Notice of Vessel Arrival; 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: 1625-0097, Plan Approval and Records for Marine Engineering Systems; 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.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Menominee River in Marinette, WI within 1000 feet of a blasting area. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during the daily blasting at the southern bank of the Menominee River near the Fincantieri Marinette Marine facility. This proposed rulemaking would restrict usage by persons and vessels within the safety zone. At no time during the effective period may vessels or person pass between the construction barges and southern bank of Menominee River. Also during the entire effective period, vessels are prohibit from transiting the safety zone at speeds that would create a wake. Additionally, during blasting operations, lasting approximately 15 minutes each evening, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone. These restrictions would apply to all vessels during the effective period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing an emergency temporary safety zone that includes all waters of the Waccamaw River from Enterprise Landing at Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) statute mile 375 north to Fantasy Harbour Fixed Bridge at AICW statute mile 366. The safety zone is needed to protect persons and property during a period of high water in the area caused by heavy rainfall and runoff. Vessels operating within the zone shall proceed at speeds that do not create a wake. Vessels that desire to transit this zone at speeds that create a wake, shall first seek authorization from the Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), Mile Marker 368 through 370. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with line pulling operations in the vicinity of the Natchez, MS. Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.