Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Washington, DC, during a fireworks display on February 18, 2023. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit 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. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce a security zone along the Potomac River and Anacostia River, and adjacent waters at Washington, DC, for activities associated with the U.S. President's State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress. The zone will be enforced on February 7, 2023 through the early morning hours on February 8, 2023. This action is necessary to protect government officials, mitigate potential terrorist acts and incidents, and enhance public and maritime safety and security immediately before, during, and after this activity. During the enforcement period, entry into or remaining within the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise an existing safety zone regulation in Tampa Bay within the geographic boundaries of the Captain of the Port (COTP) St. Petersburg Zone. The proposed change is designed to align the coordinates in the regulation with the coordinates needed to properly control traffic in cases of restricted visibility in Tampa Bay. The current coordinates do not reflect the safety zones that the Coast Guard intended to put in place. The Coast Guard invites your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Metro-North (SAGA) Bridge, across the Saugatuck River, mile 1.1, at Westport, CT. The bridge owner, Metro-North (MNR), submitted a request on May 5, 2022 to modify the regulation to align with the Metro-North ``WALK'' Bridge train schedule and avoid bridge openings during peak transit hours. It is expected that this change to the regulations will better serve the needs of the community while continuing to meet the reasonable needs of navigation. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) for the replacement of the BNSF Railway Bridge across the Missouri River between Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota. This was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and Council on Environmental Quality implementing regulations. The ROD, which concludes the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the project, explains the Coast Guard's decision, describes the alternatives considered, and discusses the plans for mitigation and monitoring. The Coast Guard's decision is to approve the location and plans for the replacement of the BNSF Railway Bridge using the applicant's preferred alternative: Construct a new bridge with 200-foot spans and piers, 20 feet upstream of the existing bridge, and remove the existing bridge. The Coast Guard is making the ROD available to the public in the docket for this notice.

The Coast Guard announces that the Chief, Prevention Division, Thirteenth Coast Guard District has issued a certificate of alternative compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the SHAVER, O.N. 1257204, HULL 129. We are issuing this notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to the construction and placement of the mooring and anchor winches and fittings, placement of the sidelights in this area would be a potential hazard to the crew during vessel operations and may subject them to potential damage during mooring. The SHAVER, O.N. 1257204, HULL 129, cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's design and construction. This notification of issuance of a certificate of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety mission.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Cooper River, Charleston Harbor, and Atlantic Ocean at the Charleston Harbor Entrance and Approach, Charleston Harbor, within a 100-yard radius of the vessel USNS Gordon and all towing vessels supporting its operations. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the dead ship movement of USNS Gordon from the Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston Transportation Core (TC) Dock or Wharf Alpha through the Charleston Harbor Entrance Channel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Charleston.

The Coast Guard proposes amending and updating its special local regulations for recurring marine parades, regattas, and other events that take place in the Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley area of responsibility (AOR). This proposed rulemaking would update the current list of recurring special local regulations with revisions, additions, and removals of events that no longer take place in the Sector Ohio Valley AOR. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing two temporary safety zones on the waters of the Delaware River in portions of Marcus Hook Range and Anchorage 7, off Marcus Hook Range. The safety zones temporarily restrict vessel traffic from transiting or anchoring in portions of the Delaware River while maintenance dredging is being conducted within the Delaware River. The safety zones are needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from hazards created by dredging operations. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the COTP or his designated representatives.

The Coast Guard requests individuals interested in serving on the Area Maritime Security Committee, Eastern Great Lakes, Northeast Ohio Region sub-committee submit their applications for membership to the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Buffalo. The Committee assists the Captain of the Port as the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Buffalo, in developing, reviewing, and updating the Area Maritime Security Plan for their area of responsibility.

The meeting of the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee scheduled for February 8, 2023, from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) is cancelled.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters in Chinese Harbor of Santa Cruz Island, California. This safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by ongoing oil recovery and salvage operations relating to the grounding of a 60- foot fishing vessel in Chinese Harbor. Entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Los AngelesLong Beach (COTP), or their designated representative.

This proposed rule would implement a special activities provision of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Coast Guard is proposing to establish three temporary safety zones for the safe splashdown and recovery of reentry vehicles launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) in support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions. The proposed temporary safety zones are located within the Coast Guard District Eight area of responsibility (AOR) offshore of Panama City, Pensacola, and Tallahassee, Florida. These proposed temporary safety zones are also located specifically within the Coast Guard Sector Mobile AOR. This proposed rule would prohibit U.S.-flagged vessels from entering any of the temporary safety zones unless authorized by the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector Mobile or a designated representative. Foreign-flagged vessels would be encouraged to remain outside the safety zones. This action is necessary to protect vessels and waterway users from the potential hazards created by reentry vehicle splashdowns and recovery operations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is also necessary to provide for the safe recovery of reentry vehicles, and any personnel involved in reentry services, after the splashdown. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

This temporary final rule would implement a special activities provision of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Coast Guard is establishing three temporary safety zones for the safe splashdown and recovery of reentry vehicles launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) in support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from January 9, 2023 until January 30, 2023. These three temporary safety zones are located within the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile area of responsibility offshore of Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee, Florida. This rule would prohibit U.S. flagged vessels from entering any of the temporary safety zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile or a designated representative. Foreign-flagged vessels would be encouraged to remain outside the safety zones. This action is necessary to protect vessels and waterway users from the potential hazards created by reentry vehicle splashdowns and recovery operations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is also necessary to provide for the safe recovery of reentry vehicles, and any personnel involved in reentry services, after the splashdown.

On January 28, 2023, the Coast Guard will enforce a special local regulation for the Gasparilla Invasion and Parade to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for recurring marine events within Sector St. Petersburg identifies the regulated area for this event in Tampa, FL. During the enforcement periods, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any designated representative.

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters in Chinese Harbor of Santa Cruz Island, California. This temporary safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by ongoing oil recovery operations relating to the grounding of a 60-foot fishing vessel in Chinese Harbor. Entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Los AngelesLong Beach (COTP), or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters from the surface to seabed, within a 150 yard radius of the fireworks launching point located at Sea Otter Point in position 61[deg]07'22'' North and 146[deg]21'13'' West in the vicinity of the mouth of the Small Boat Harbor, Port of Valdez, Alaska, to limit access for the duration of the New Year's fireworks display. The safety zone is needed to protect mariners and vessels from potential hazards during the fireworks display.

The Coast Guard is re-establishing five temporary safety zones for the safe splashdown and recovery of reentry vehicles launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) in support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and privately chartered missions. The temporary safety zones are located within the Seventh Coast Guard District area of responsibility (AOR) offshore of Jacksonville, Daytona, Cape Canaveral, Tampa, and Tallahassee, Florida. This action is necessary to protect vessels and waterway users from the potential hazards created by reentry vehicle splashdowns and recovery operations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is also necessary to provide for the safe recovery of reentry vehicles, and any personnel involved in reentry services, after the splashdown. This rule prohibits U.S.-flagged vessels from entering any of the temporary safety zones unless authorized by the District Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, the relevant Captain of the Port, or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard seeks comments on, the application for recertification submitted by the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) for March 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may certify on an annual basis, the PWSRCAC. 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 February 28, 2023.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA; Safety Zone from 5:45 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. on December 31, 2022, and from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2022, through 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2023, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during two barge-based fireworks displays. Our regulation for marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Philadelphia, PA. During the enforcement period, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone near the South Jetty on Ballona Creek, Marina Del Rey, CA, for the duration of the fireworks display on December 31, 2022. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the waterway users to keep them clear of potential harmful debris within the fall out zone during the fireworks display within Marina Del Rey, CA. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Los Angeles Long Beach, or their designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel in a zone defined by the following coordinates; 27[deg]50'31.28'' N, 97[deg]04'17.23'' W; 27[deg]50'31.73'' N, 97[deg]04'15.44'' W; 27[deg]50'29.06'' N, 97[deg]04'16.61'' W; 27[deg]50'29.32'' N, 97[deg]04'14.82'' W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by pipelines that will be removed from the floor of the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone in the navigable waters of Richardson Bay, off Sausalito, CA, in support of the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade Fireworks Display. This safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the dangers associated with pyrotechnics. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone, unless authorized by the designated Patrol Commander (PATCOM) or other federal, state, or local agencies on scene to assist the Coast Guard in enforcing the regulated area.

The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill one vacancy on the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (Committee). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security, via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, on matters relating to personnel in the United States merchant marine, including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway between the Calcasieu Lock at Mile Marker 238.2 and Mile Marker 240 at the Lake Charles Industrial Canal. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from hazards created by a large spill of heavy crude oil. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Port Arthur.