Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is adding regulations requiring safety zones in the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie zone. This rule will establish safety zones that will restrict vessels from certain portions of water areas within the Sector Sault Sainte Marie Captain of the Port zone. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with various maritime events.

In the Federal Register published on May 25, 2011, the United States Coast Guard solicited public comment on the availability of technology to meet certain provisions of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010(CVSSA), specifically related to video recording and overboard detection technologies. The Notice of request for comments published with errors in the preamble, specifically, the addresses for submitting comments was incorrect and should have directed commenters to https://www.regulations.gov for online comment submissions, and to the ``Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001'' for mailing comments.

The Coast Guard will establish a temporary safety zone on the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Ocean City, MD to support the Ocean City Air Show. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Ocean City Air Show. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Atlantic Ocean to protect mariners from the hazards associated with air show events.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone within the Sector Boston Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone for the M.I.T.'s 150th Birthday Celebration Fireworks display. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the fireworks event. Entering into, transiting through, mooring or anchoring within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or the designated on-scene representative.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a permanent Special Local Regulation on Lake Erie, Lakeside, Ohio. This regulation is intended to restrict vessels from portions of Lake Erie during the annual Kelley's Island Swim, which takes place in the second half of July. This special local regulated area is necessary to protect swimmers from vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge'', a marine event to be held on the waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, Baltimore, MD on June 25, 2011. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Patapsco River during the event.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary Special Local Regulation in the Port Arthur Captain of the Port Zone on the Sabine River, Orange, Texas on September 24-25, 2011. This Special Local Regulation is intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Sabine River during the annual S.P.O.R.T boat races. This Special Local Regulations is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with powerboat races.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation to enable vessel movement restrictions within the navigation channel and an area extending north of the channel in Budd Inlet, WA during the annual Olympia Harbor Days tug boat races. This action is necessary to restrict vessel movement within the specified race area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after racing activity in order to ensure the safety of participants, spectators and the maritime public. Entry into, transit through, mooring or anchoring within the specified race area is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or Designated Representatives.

The Coast Guard proposes to clarify the verbiage in the list of marine events occurring annually within the Eleventh Coast Guard District. This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking changes the proposed regulation by changing the dates of two of the proposed special local regulations and adds clarifying language to the proposed regulation within San Diego Captain of the Port zone. When these special local regulations are activated, and thus subject to enforcement, this rule would enable vessel movement restrictions in the regulated area.

The United States Coast Guard is soliciting public comment on the availability of technology to meet certain provisions of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010(CVSSA), specifically related to video recording and overboard detection technologies. Public comment is necessary in order to assist the Coast Guard with assessing which requirements should be addressed in guidance and regulations implementing the CVSSA.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Great Wicomico River in the vicinity of Mila, VA in support of the Wicomico Community Fireworks event. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Wicomico Community Fireworks. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Great Wicomico River to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent safety zone extending 100 yards from Pier 66, Elliott Bay, WA to ensure adequate safety during the annual parade of ships and aerial demonstration for Fleet Week. This safety zone is necessary to promote safety on navigable waters and will do so by enforcing vessel movement restrictions in the immediate vicinity of Pier 66, Elliott Bay, WA, immediately prior to, during and immediately following this annual event. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of Special Local Regulations for ``The Crossing'' swim event, to be held on the waters of Lake Gaston, adjacent to the Eaton Ferry Bridge in Enterprise, North Carolina. This Special Local Regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on Lake Gaston under the Eaton Ferry Bridge and within 100 yards east of the bridge during the swim event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the waters of the Newport River under the main span US 70/Morehead CityNewport River high rise bridge in Carteret County, NC. This safety zone is necessary to provide for safety of life on navigable waters during the establishment of staging for bridge maintenance. This rule will enhance the safety of the contractors performing maintenance as well as the safety of vessels that plan to transit this area.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean east of Miami Beach, Florida during the Miami Super Boat Grand Prix. The Miami Super Boat Grand Prix will consist of a series of high-speed boat races. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 5, 2011. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the high-speed boat races. The special local regulations will temporarily restrict vessel traffic in an area east of Miami Beach. The special local regulations will establish the following two areas: A race area, where all persons and vessels except those persons and vessels participating in or conducting the race are prohibited from entering, transiting, anchoring, or remaining; and a spectator area, where all vessels are prohibited from anchoring.

The Coast Guard announces the publication of Officer of Vessel Activities (CG-543) Policy Letter 11-03: ``Implementation of Revised Passenger Weight Standards for Existing Passenger Vessels.'' This policy letter provides guidance on how the Coast Guard will amend Certificates of Inspection prior to a change in the assumed average weight per person standard that will become effective in December 2011.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Union Pacific Railroad swing bridge across the Calcasieu River, mile 36.4, at Westlake, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to upgrade the electrical and mechanical systems of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation on five different dates in June.

Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon Street Bridges across the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, at miles 4.3 and 4.17, respectively, both in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedules during the peak tourist and navigation seasons to provide for the efficient movement of vehicular traffic and the safety of navigation on the waterway. This deviation will allow scheduled openings for recreational vessels and openings on signal for commercial vessels.

The Coast Guard is establishing three permanent safety zones in the Ohio Valley Captain of the Port Zone on specified waters of the Kanawha River in Charleston and St. Albans, West Virginia. These safety zones are necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with annual firework displays. When these safety zones are activated, and thus subject to enforcement, this rule would limit the movement of vessels within the established fireworks display areas. Entry into, transit through, mooring, or anchoring within the zones during time of enforcement is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Ohio Valley or designated representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the S433 Bridge over Bayou Liberty, mile 2.0, St. Tammany Parish, Slidell, LA. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. It will allow the bridge to remain unmanned during most of the day by requiring a one-hour notice for an opening of the draw from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a two-hour notice from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week. The Coast Guard may publish a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to make this deviation permanent.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of Cape Charles City Harbor in Cape Charles, VA in support of the Fourth of July Fireworks event. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Cape Charles Fireworks show. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement to protect mariners and spectators from the hazards associated with aerial fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a temporary safety zone on the Chesapeake Bay in the vicinity of Ocean View Beach Park, Norfolk, VA in support of the Shore Thing and Independence Day Fireworks event. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Shore Thing and Independence Day Fireworks show. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Chesapeake Bay to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation from the Point State Park (mile marker 0.0) to the River Rescue station (mile marker 0.5) on the Allegheny River, extending 200 feet out from the right descending bank. The special local regulation is being established to safeguard participants of the Venture Outdoors Festival from the hazards of marine traffic. Entry into, movement within, and departure from this Coast Guard regulated area, while it is activated and enforced, is prohibited, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the SR170 Centerville Turnpike Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 15.2, at Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate urgent mechanical structural repairs to the swing span. Under this deviation, the drawbridge will be allowed to operate on a limited schedule for the extent of the effective period, specifically affecting four specific dates during the effective time-period: May 14, 2011; May 15, 2011; June 4, 2011; and June 5, 2011.

On November 8, 2010, USCG published a Notice of Study and request for comments for the Port Access Route Study: In the Bering Strait. In this action, USCG is providing notice that the public comment period is extended until September 6, 2011. This action will provide the public with additional time and opportunity to provide the Coast Guard with information regarding the Port Access Route Study: In the Bering Strait.