Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary, 500-yard radius, moving security zone for a certain vessel carrying Certain Dangerous Cargoes (CDC) within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel. The temporary security zone is needed to protect the vessels, the CDC cargo, and the surrounding waterway. 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.

This final rule makes a non-substantive conforming amendment to our authority citations for Coast Guard regulations that establish safety zones, security zones, and regulated navigation areas. This rule would conform our authority citation to reflect an amendment introduced by The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public.

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulation on the waters of Mission Bay, CA, during the Mission Bay Parade of Lights on December 10, 2022. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, sponsor vessels of the event, and general users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector San Diego or their designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 300-foot radius of the fireworks launch site between mile markers 377.5 to 378 in the main channel, of the Missouri River. The safety zone is to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on certain navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining waterways, surrounding Key West, Florida, during the 25th Annual Key West Paddle Classic event. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of event participants and spectators. Persons and non-participant vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Key West or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the Rockport Tropical Christmas Festival Fireworks Display Show on December 3, 2022, to provide for the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the safety zone for this event in Rockport, TX. During the enforcement periods, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a 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 special local regulation for the Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights and Fireworks. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the Savannah River during the Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights and Fireworks displays. 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 Savannah or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary, 500-yard radius, moving security zone for a certain vessel carrying Certain Dangerous Cargoes (CDC) within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel. The temporary security zone is needed to protect the vessels, the CDC cargo, and the surrounding waterway from terrorist acts, sabotage, or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. 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 San Diego Parade of Lights special local regulations on the waters of San Diego Bay, California on December 11, 2022 and December 18, 2022. 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 Sector San Diego or a designated representative.