Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On February 7, 2014, the Coast Guard announced the availability, in the docket, of two draft policy letters for which it sought public comment. This notice announces the availability of the finalized Coast Guard policy letters, including explanations of changes made to the policy letters and enclosures based on the public comments received. The first policy letter provides voluntary guidance for liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel transfer operations on vessels using natural gas as fuel in U.S. waters, and training of personnel on those vessels. It recommends transfer and personnel training measures that we believe will achieve a level of safety that is at least equivalent to that provided for traditional fueled vessels. It applies to vessels equipped to receive LNG for use as fuel, but not to vessels regulated as LNG carriers that utilize boil-off gas as fuel. The second policy letter discusses voluntary guidance and existing regulations applicable to vessels and waterfront facilities conducting LNG marine fuel transfer (bunkering) operations. The second policy letter provides voluntary guidance on safety, security, and risk assessment measures we believe will enhance safe LNG bunkering operations. Both policy letters are available on the public docket. They have been updated to reflect publication numbers of the current year. Accordingly, as discussed in this notice, Policy Letter 01-14 became Policy Letter 01-15 and Policy Letter 02-14 became Policy Letter 02-15.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish twenty three new fireworks display safety zones at various locations in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port zone. The Coast Guard previously published a notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to this proposed rule on June 18, 2014. This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking changes the proposed regulation in the following respects. First, the Coast Guard proposes to amend the regulatory text to clarify that the coordinates for all safety zones addressed by the proposed rule are approximate. Second, the Coast Guard proposes to make corrections to the location of nine existing and ten new fireworks events in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port zone. Third, the Coast Guard will be removing a duplicate entry of the Hood River 4th of July event.

The Coast Guard will enforce one safety zone for a fireworks display in the Sector Long Island Sound area of responsibility on the dates and times listed in the table below. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during the event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Long Island Sound or designated representative.

The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to prepare for a demonstration, the ``Ohio River eNav Technology Demonstration'' of electronic navigation (eNav) technology to be conducted by the Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. The eNav demonstration will involve the transmission of navigation safety and environmental information via automatic identification system (AIS) technology to the electronic charting system (ECS) displays on bridges of commercial vessels that are operating in the test area. The purpose of the demonstration is to identify the extent to which mariners would benefit from the distribution of e-AtoN information; and the policy changes, the infrastructure, and level of effort needed by the Coast Guard and its partner agencies to operate and maintain this technology. The geographic area to be covered by the Ohio River eNav Technology Demonstration includes the Ohio River from Markland Lock (north of Louisville, KY) to the mouth of the Ohio River, and reaches of the Mississippi River within 45 statute miles of its confluence with the Ohio River. The Coast Guard needs end user participants, who are commercial operators that regularly operate in the Ohio River eNav Technology Demonstration test area, to receive the information via AIS. While the Coast Guard is currently considering partnering with Rose Point Navigation Systems (Rose Point), and CNS, Inc. (CNS), it solicits public comment on the possible participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA, and the nature of that participation.

The Coast Guard proposes to issue a special local regulation on the waters of Charleston Harbor in Charleston, SC during the Charleston Race Week on April 17, 2015 through April 19, 2015. This special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, and the general public during the event. The special local regulation would temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of Charleston Harbor, preventing non-participant vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard amends its safety zone regulations for Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone. This amendment updates 18 permanent safety zones, adds 5 new permanent safety zones, and reformats the coordinates for safety zones. These amendments and additions are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with annual maritime events, including fireworks displays, boat races, and air shows, and improves the precision and compatibility of safety zone coordinates.

The Coast Guard is extending the comment period on the notice with request for comments titled, ``Guidance on Maritime Cybersecurity Standards,'' published on December 18, 2014. We are extending the comment period at the request of several industry participants to ensure stakeholders have adequate time to submit complete responses.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has recertified the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (CIRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This certification allows the CIRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Cook Inlet Program established by statute.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the regulations established for recurring marine events and fireworks displays that take place within the Fifth Coast Guard District area of responsibility. Under that rule, the list of recurring marine events requiring special local regulations or safety zones is updated with revisions, additional events, and removal of events that no longer take place in the Fifth Coast Guard District. When these regulations are enforced, certain restrictions are placed on marine traffic in specified areas. This rulemaking project promotes efficiency by eliminating the need to produce a separate rule for each individual recurring event, and serves to provide notice of the known recurring events requiring a special local regulation or safety zone throughout the year.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Route 50 Bridge, over Isle of Wight (Sinepuxent) Bay, mile 0.5 at Ocean City, MD. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the 10th annual ``Island 2 Island'' Half Marathon. This deviation allows the Harry Kelly Bridge to remain in the closed position for the duration of the event.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the date of the special local regulation on the navigable waters of Mission Bay, San Diego, California in support of the annual San Diego Crew Classic rowing race. This temporary interim rule adjusts the dates for the established special local regulations. This temporary interim rule provides public notice of the changed date and is necessary to ensure the safety of participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Unauthorized persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within the special local regulations unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), or his designated representative. The Coast Guard requests public comments on the temporary interim rule.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations (RIN 1625-AB37) that were published in the Federal Register of Tuesday, July 16, 2013 (78 FR 42595). The regulations related to safety regulations for facility and vessel vapor control systems (VCSs).

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary Safety Zone for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River, from MM 745.0 to MM 736.0. This safety zone is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with a full-scale multiagency mass rescue exercise. Entry into this zone is prohibited to all vessels, mariners, and persons unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge, also known as the St. Johns RR Bridge, across the Willamette River, mile 6.9, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to facilitate installation of new rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed to navigation position during maintenance activities.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of an extension to the following collection of information: 1625-0068, State access to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for removal costs under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 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 Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of an extension of a currently approved collection of information: 1625-0077, Security Plans for Ports, Vessels, Facilities, Outer Continental Shelf Facilities and Other Security-Related Requirements. 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 Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge across the Columbia River, mile 105.6, at Vancouver, WA. This deviation is necessary to accommodate maintenance to replace movable rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. This Council advises the Coast Guard on recreational boating safety regulations and other major boating safety matters.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting approval of a Reinstatement, with change of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired for the following collection of information: 1625-0012, Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariner. 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 regulation governing the operation of the State Route 433 (SR433) Bridge across Bonfouca Bayou, mile 7.0, at Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for five and a half consecutive hours in the morning and four and a half hours in the afternoon with an opening in the middle to pass vessels. There will be a two-hour notice to pass vessels in the evenings and a four-hour notice to pass vessels on weekends. This deviation will last for 33 consecutive days. The purpose of the closure is to conduct scheduled maintenance and repairs to the drawbridge.

The Coast Guard is seeking public comment on the policy clarification proposed in this Notice regarding the criteria for granting medical waivers to mariners who require the use of potentially impairing prescription medications. The Coast Guard is also seeking input regarding effective methods of risk evaluation of such mariners. Current Coast Guard guidance states that the ``use of certain medications is considered disqualifying for the issuance of credentials,'' and that ``the underlying cause or need for use of these medications and potential side effects may result in denial of a credential application or require a waiver.'' Current guidance specifically identifies that use of benzodiazepine medications, opioid and opiate medications, non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic medications, and barbiturate medications require a waiver, but does not specify the factors that the Coast Guard will consider in making its determination on whether the risks associated with use of these medications are low enough to warrant consideration for a waiver. The Coast Guard is proposing additions to the current medication policy that will clarify the circumstances that the Coast Guard will consider when determining whether to grant a medical waiver for use of these medications. Additionally, the Coast Guard is proposing to include a safety warning to mariners advising them to refrain from use of impairing medications while operating under the authority of their credential. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public on whether the proposed policy adequately addresses safety concerns regarding merchant mariners whose medical conditions require the use of medications that have the potential to impair cognitive ability, judgment or reaction time.

This notice requests individuals interested in serving on the AMSC Western Florida (AMSC-WF) submit their applications for membership to the Captain of the Port (COTP) St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Clearwater Beach, Florida during the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship. The race is scheduled to take place annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of September from approximately 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The special local regulation is necessary to protect the safety of race participants, participant vessels, spectators, and the general public on the navigable waters of the United States during the event. The special local regulation will restrict vessel traffic in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Clearwater, Florida. It will establish the following three areas: A race area, where all persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels participating in the high speed boat races, are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within; a spectator area, where all vessels must be anchored or operate at No Wake Speed; and an enforcement area where designated representatives may control vessel traffic as determined by the prevailing conditions.

The Coast Guard is modifying the effective date of a published temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Morgan City (Berwick Bay) Railroad Bridge across the Atchafalaya River, mile 17.5 (Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route) mile 0.3) in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. The modification of the date is necessary to further minimize the effects on navigation caused by additional repairs required for the bridge. The deviation is necessary to complete the previously approved repairs and to allow additional repairs to the fender system. This deviation allows for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for four consecutive hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon with an opening in the middle to pass vessels for five weekdays over a two-week period.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay near Yerba Buena Island, CA in support of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) Demolition Safety Zone from December 31, 2014 through December 30, 2015. An earlier temporary safety zone was established in this same area from September 1, 2013 through December 30, 2014 to protect mariners transiting the area from the dangers associated with over-head demolition and debris removal operations of the SFOBB. Extended demolition efforts necessitate a new temporary safety zone in the area. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or their designated representative.