Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is issuing an interim rule based on comments received from the subject Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on May 27, 2010. This interim rule establishes moving security zones for certain vessels for which the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur deems enhanced security measures necessary. In addition, it establishes security zones encompassing the mooring basins of LNG carriers while they are moored at the Golden Pass LNG facility in Sabine, TX and/or the Sabine Pass LNG facility located in Cameron Parish, LA.

The Coast Guard proposes to increase maritime domain safety by revising existing safety regulations for facility and vessel vapor control systems (VCSs). The proposed changes would make VCS requirements more compatible with new Federal and State environmental requirements, reflect industry advancements in VCS technology, and codify the standards for the design and operation of a VCS at tank barge cleaning facilities. These changes would increase the safety of operations by regulating the design, installation, and use of VCSs, but would not require anyone to install or use VCSs.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the enforcement period of safety zone regulations for a recurring fireworks display within the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only one recurring fireworks display event that takes place at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Safety zone regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of Motts Channel and Banks Channel near Wrightsville Beach, NC, during the event.

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between Mile Marker 291.0 and Mile Marker 296.1 from 4 p.m. on October 19, 2010 to 12 p.m. on October 20, 2010 and from 4 p.m. on October 20, 2010 to 10 a.m. on October 21, 2010. This action is necessary to protect the waterways, waterway users, and vessels from hazards associated with intensive fish sampling efforts in the Lockport pool to be conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These sampling efforts will include the setting of nets throughout this portion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The purpose of this sampling is to provide essential information in connection with efforts to control the spread of aquatic nuisance species that might devastate the waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, mooring, laying-up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway swing bridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, in St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to perform extensive rehabilitation to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation completely from January 18, 2011 through February 22, 2011.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the I-110 (HWY 15) bridge across the Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 3.0, between Biloxi and D'Iberville, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation is necessary to allow timely bridge rehabilitation to extend the bridge life, optimize traffic and boat operations, and improve overall traffic, boat and pedestrian safety. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed with limited exception.

Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Duluth Ship Canal Aerial Bridge at Mile 0.1 over the Duluth Ship Canal, at Duluth, MN, for scheduled maintenance. During this temporary deviation the bridge will be secured to masted navigation. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so at any time.

The Coast Guard announces that it has recently notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of issuance of an exemption under the International Convention on Load Lines (ICLL) covering reduced ``working freeboard'' exemptions for hopper dredges. In addition, the Coast Guard announces completion and availability of the DR-68 reduced freeboard standards for hopper dredges. The Coast Guard also notified IMO of approved equivalent arrangements, as permitted by the ICLL and U.S. regulations, regarding hatch covers for hopper dredges and barges that meet ``flooded hopper'' stability criteria. This notice may be of special interest to the U.S. dredging industry and naval architecture, and marine engineering firms.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, New York. The deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for seven days to facilitate bridge rehabilitation maintenance.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-New, Port Stakeholder Interface Form. 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 is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of Lake Havasu on the lower Colorado River in Arizona in support of the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this temporary safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Diego or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Columbia River due to repairs being made to the Interstate 5 Bridge. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of the workers involved as well as the maritime public and will do so by prohibiting all persons and vessels from entering or remaining in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) in Boston Harbor, Reserved Channel, the Boston Marine Industrial Park and a portion of the Boston Inner Harbor shipping channel, Boston, Massachusetts, for the offload of six cranes from the barge CHICAGO BRIDGE to Conley Terminal in South Boston. This rule is intended to control entry to the Reserved Channel, establish operating conditions for those vessels allowed entry into the Reserved Channel and control the speed of all vessels transiting within the RNA. The RNA is necessary to protect participants and vessels from the hazards associated with the offload of these cranes.

This notice requests individuals interested in serving on the Detroit Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) to submit their applications for membership to the Captain of the Port Sector Detroit.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent safety zone for the annual New York Air Show at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of navigation and protection of the maritime public from the hazards inherent with an air show which consists of aircraft performing aerobatic maneuvers over the Atlantic Ocean off of Jones Beach State Park.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 365.5 to 363 extending the entire width of the river. This safety zone is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with a fireworks display. 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 COTP Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative must authorize vessels that desire to operate in this zone.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit Information Collection Requests (ICRs) and Analyses to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting a revision of its approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0062, Approval of Alterations to Marine Portable Tanks; Approval of Non-Specification Portable Tanks; (2) 1625-0078, Licensing and Manning Requirements for Officers of Towing Vessels; and (3) 1625-0082, Navigation Safety Information and Emergency Instructions for Certain Towing Vessels. Before submitting these ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, (STCW) requires Parties to the Convention to establish procedures to recognize STCW certificates issued by or under the authority of another Party. In order to start this process, the Coast Guard is developing a policy regarding the United States' recognition of foreign certificates held by foreign maritime officers who may be employed on some United States flag vessels. The Coast Guard is soliciting comments from mariners, industry, and the public to assist in development of this policy. The Coast Guard is particularly interested in identifying which United States flag vessels employ foreign citizens, the nationalities of these mariners, and the countries that issue their STCW certificates.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor from September 18, 2010 through October 30, 2010. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. This rule will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zones without permission of the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit Information Collection Requests (ICRs) and Analyses to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0002, Applications for Vessel Inspection, Waiver, and Continuous Synopsis Record; (2) 1625-0017, Various International Agreement Safety Certificates and Documents; (3) 1625- 0019, Alternative Compliance for International and Inland Navigation Rules33 CFR Parts 81 and 89; (4) and 1625-0030, Oil and Hazardous Materials Transfer Procedures. Before submitting these ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Chesapeake Challenge'' power boat races, a marine event to be held on the waters of the Patuxent River, near Solomons, MD on October 1, 2010 and October 3, 2010. 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 Patuxent River during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation from mile marker 2.2 (Southside Riverfront Park Boat Ramp) on the Monongahela River to mile marker 2.7 (27th Street), extending 100 feet out from the left descending bank. This special local regulation is needed to safeguard participants of the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival from the hazards imposed by marine traffic. Entry into the regulated area is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone from Mile Marker 90.2 to Mile Marker 90.5 on the Ohio River extending the full width of the river. The safety zone is needed to protect spectators and marine traffic during the Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Foundation fireworks display. Entry into the safety zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone around VERMILION 380A, a fixed platform, at Block 380 in the Outer Continental Shelf, approximately 90 miles south of Vermilion Bay, Louisiana. The fixed platform is on fire and the safety zone is needed to protect first responders attending to the fire and platform. Placing a safety zone around the platform will significantly reduce the threat of collisions, allisions, oil spills, and releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment.