Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the lift boat PAUL as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone upon the navigable waters of Mission Bay near San Diego, California in support of the Sea World December Fireworks. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard published a document in the Federal Register on March 16, 2009 (74 FR 11196), consolidating regulations concerning the issuance of merchant mariner credentials. That document contained several non-substantive errors, including an improperly worded amendatory instruction. This document corrects those errors.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the lower Colorado River at Bullhead City, AZ in support of Festivus. This 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 are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) and a selection of its subcommittees and working groups will hold meetings to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public. The subcommittees that will meet are Outreach, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 Standard, Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), and International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The working groups that will meet are Barge Emission and Hazard Communication, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and First Responders.

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will conduct a meeting by teleconference on August 24, 2009. This teleconference will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) for the tank ship S/R AMERICAN PROGRESS. The FEA describes the S/R AMERICAN PROGRESS application for the Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program (STEP) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) initiative. The FEA for the S/R AMERICAN PROGRESS also

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for Milwaukee Harbor for annual fireworks events in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone from 9:30 p.m. on August 8, 2009, through 10 p.m. on September 12, 2009. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor from August 1, 2009, through August 29, 2009, for the Navy Pier Wednesday Fireworks and the Navy Pier Saturday Fireworks. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter, move within, or exit the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to membership on the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). CTAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe and secure transportation and handling of hazardous materials in bulk on U.S.-flag vessels in U.S. ports and waterways.

The Coast Guard will enforce a special local regulation for the annual Port Huron to Mackinac Island Sail Race. This action is necessary to safely control vessel movements in the vicinity of the race starting point and provide for the safety of the general boating public and commercial shipping. During this period, no person or vessel may enter the regulated area without the permission of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander (``PATCOM'').

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Lower Colorado River, Laughlin, NV, in support of a fireworks display near the AVI Resort and Casino. This 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 are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of San Diego Bay in support of the Access Destinations Fireworks. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the crew, spectators, and other users and vessels of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this temporary safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Huron, St. Ignace, MI. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Huron during the Friends of Fireworks Celebration fireworks displays taking place July 11 through September 5, 2009. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is increasing the rates for pilotage service on the Great Lakes by an average of 10.77% over the rates that took effect February 4, 2009. This increase reflects an August 1, 2009, increase in benchmark contractual wages and benefits, as well as an increase in the ratio of pilots to ``bridge hours.'' The Coast Guard intends the final rule to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and returns on investment. The final rule promotes the Coast Guard strategic goal of maritime safety.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, Mile 88.8, at Beardstown, Illinois across the Illinois Waterway. The deviation is necessary to allow time for upgrade of the lift drive mechanism which only can be done when the bridge is in the closed-to-navigation position. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation during the 60-hour period July 27-29, 2009.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Harbor Park, Norfolk, VA in support of the post-game fireworks displays over the Elizabeth River. This action will protect the maritime public on the Elizabeth River from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zones for annual fireworks events in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone from 9 p.m. on July 3, 2009 through 11 p.m. on July 25, 2009. 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 zone without permission of the Captain of the Port.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at Oak Island, North Carolina. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the installation of bridge girders at the new high-level fixed highway bridge at the second crossing to Oak Island, North Carolina.

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: 1625-0071, Boat Owner's Report, Possible Safety Defect. 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 removing the existing drawbridge operation regulation for the Route 70 Bridge, mile 3.4, across Manasquan River at Riviera Beach, NJ. The existing bridge has been modified by permit from a movable bridge to a fixed bridge. Since the bridge is no longer a movable bridge, the regulation controlling the opening and closing of the bridge in no longer necessary.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie Zone. This proposed rule adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.

The Coast Guard will enforce the local regulations for annual regattas and marine parades in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone from 7 a.m. on July 9, 2009 through 6 p.m. on August 2, 2009. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after regattas or marine parades. This rule will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in specified areas immediately prior to, during, and immediately after regattas or marine parades. During the enforcement periods, no person or vessel may enter the regulated areas without permission of the Captain of the Port.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) and Analysis to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0080, Customer Satisfaction Surveys. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard is cancelling the temporary deviation concerning the operation of the Witt Penn Bridge across the Hackensack River at mile 3.1, across the Hackensack River, at Jersey City, New Jersey. A temporary deviation was previously approved for the Lower Hack Bridge at mile 3.4 across the Hackensack River and notice of that temporary deviation was made along with the notice for the Witt Penn Bridge. This temporary deviation was issued to facilitate bridge maintenance for the above bridges; however, the maintenance for the Witt Penn Bridge has been postponed necessitating the early cancellation of that portion of the temporary deviation. The maintenance of the Lower Hack Bridge will continue as planned, and the temporary deviation approved for the Lower Hack Bridge remains in effect. Once new dates are provided for the maintenance of the Witt Penn Bridge any new temporary deviation will be published in the Federal Register.