Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard proposes to amend and update its list of recurring safety zone regulations that take place in the Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley area of responsibility (AOR). This notice informs the public of regularly scheduled events that require additional safety measures through establishing a safety zone. Through this notice the current list of recurring safety zones is proposed to be updated with revisions, additional events, and removal of events that no longer take place in Sector Ohio Valley's AOR. When these safety zones are enforced, vessel traffic is restricted from specified areas. Additionally, this one proposed rulemaking project reduces administrative costs involved in producing separate proposed rules for each individual recurring safety zone and serves to provide notice of the known recurring safety zones throughout the year.

The Coast Guard revises its Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking methodology, adjusts annual pilotage rates based on the new methodology, and authorizes a temporary surcharge to hire additional pilots and to pay for necessary training for new and current pilots. Rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes were last revised in February 2015 and by law must be reviewed annually, with any adjustments to take effect by March 1 of the year for which new rates are established. The Coast Guard intends for the methodology changes to be understandable and transparent, and to encourage investment in pilots, infrastructure, and training while helping ensure safe, efficient, and reliable service on the Great Lakes. Without the updates to this methodology and enforcement of these rates, the Coast Guard believes the pilot associations will not be able to recruit experienced mariners, retain current pilots, or maintain and upgrade association infrastructure. Without sufficient registered pilots, current law will prevent international vessels from transiting the Great Lakes. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship (environmental protection) missions by promoting safe shipping on the Great Lakes.

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 between Mile Marker 296.1 to Mile Marker 296.7 at specified times from March 3, 2016 to March 11, 2016. This action is necessary to protect the waterway, waterway users, and vessels from the hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's underwater inspections of the electric dispersal system for invasive species.

The Coast Guard is amending its regulations regarding drawbridge operations in Saginaw River, Bay City, MI. In a final rule entitled, ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Saginaw River, Bay City, MI'' that appeared in the Federal Register on April 12, 2012, the Coast Guard revised the drawbridge opening schedules for the Saginaw River and inadvertently excluded the CSX Railroad Bridge and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Bridge. This document amends the regulations by adding these two bridges back into the regulations.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Manchester Bay to be enforced during the Misery Challenge marine event, which will involve swimmers, kayakers, and stand-up paddlers. This safety zone would ensure the protection of the event participants, support vessels, and the maritime public from the hazards associated with the event. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within this safety zone during periods of enforcement unless authorized by the Coast Guard Sector Boston Captain of the Port (COTP) or the COTP's designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a 250 yard temporary safety zone within Sector Boston's Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone for a sunken vessel located in Boston Harbor's North Channel. The safety zone will be in effect while the sunken vessel remains on the sea floor to facilitate safe navigation, survey operations, and salvage operations. This action is necessary to ensure that vessels that transit the area are not endangered by hazards associated with a sunken vessel. Entering into, transiting through, mooring or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or the designated on-scene representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone within Sector Boston's Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone on the waters in the vicinity of John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse, Boston, MA. This security zone will expedite public notification of high profile court proceedings at the Moakley Courthouse and is necessary to protect people, property, and the Port of Boston from subversive acts.

On May 28, 2014, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to disestablish the special anchorage in Marina del Rey Harbor, California. Based on the comments received in response to that NPRM, we are now proposing to amend the shape and reduce the size of the special anchorage in Marina del Rey Harbor, California. Additionally, we propose to clarify the language in the note section of the existing regulation. This SNPRM would leave sufficient navigable water on adjacent sides of the anchorage for vessel traffic, effectively removing this special anchorage area from a location where it could endanger vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate a bike ride by the Cascade Bicycle Club. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

The Coast Guard proposes to update special local regulations and permanent safety zones in the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England Captain of the Port Zone for annual recurring marine events. When enforced, these proposed special local regulations and safety zones would restrict vessels from portions of water areas during certain annually recurring events. The proposed special local regulations and safety zones are intended to expedite public notification and ensure the protection of the maritime public and event participants from the hazards associated with certain maritime events. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the S213 (MD213) Bridge across the Chester River, mile 26.8, at Chestertown, MD. This deviation is necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its working groups will meet to discuss various issues related to the training and fitness of merchant marine personnel. The meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge which carries US 17 across the Cape Fear River, mile 26.8, at Wilmington, North Carolina. The deviation is necessary to facilitate routine biennial maintenance and inspection of the lift span for the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to open with an advanced notice instead of opening on signal.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the SR 529 highway bridges across the Snohomish River, mile 3.6 near Everett, WA, and the SR 529 highway bridges across Steamboat Slough, mile 1.1 and 1.2, near Marysville, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the Everett Marathon. The deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee and its working groups will meet to discuss matters relating to medical certification determinations for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, merchant mariners' documents, medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels, medical examiner education, and medical research. The meetings will be open to the public. DATES: The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee and its working groups are scheduled to meet on Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that these meetings may adjourn early if the committee has completed its business.

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: 1625-0040, Application for Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), Application for Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate, Applications for Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate for Entry Level Ratings, Small Vessel Sea Service Form, DOT/USCG Periodic Drug Testing Form, Disclosure Statement for Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and/or Other Convictions, Merchant Mariner Medical Certificates, Recognition of Foreign Certificate. 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 Amtrak Portal Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 5.0, at Kearney, New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform structural repairs at the bridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the James River, in the vicinity of the James River Reserve Fleet, in support of United States Navy explosives training on the M/V SS DEL MONTE. This safety zone will restrict vessel movement in the specified area during the explosives training. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property on the surrounding navigable waters during the United States Navy explosives training.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for certain waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located between Sandy Point, Anne Arundel County, MD and Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, MD, during a paddling event on May 14, 2016. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore or Coast Guard Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to perform a swing span change out to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation continuously for 42 days.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the waters of Cooper River and Town Creek Reaches in Charleston, South Carolina during the Cooper River Bridge Run on April 2, 2016 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Cooper River Bridge Run is a 10-K run across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. The safety zone is necessary for the safety of the runners and the general public during this event. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels 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.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Bucksport, South Carolina during the Bucksport/Lake Murray Drag Boat Spring Nationals, on June 4 and June 5, 2016. This special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, and the general public during the event. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Oregon State highway bridge across Youngs Bay foot of Fifth Street, mile 2.4, at Astoria, OR. The common name of this bridge is Old Youngs Bay Bridge. The deviation is necessary to accommodate extensive maintenance and restoration efforts on this bridge. This deviation allows the double bascule span to operate in a single leaf mode when at least a three-hour advance notification is given by marine vessels that require an opening, and the vertical clearance of the bridge to be reduced.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation on the waters of Charleston Harbor in Charleston, SC during the Charleston Race Week from April 15, 2016 through April 17, 2016. This special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, and the general public during the event. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the waters of the Hudson River in the vicinity of Anchorage Ground 19-W. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the Hudson River due to the presence of a dielectric oil leak from a submerged power cable, and the hazards associated with the cable repair vessels. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect people and vessels from the hazards associated with this event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port New York.