Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public the Coast Guard has recertified the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (CIRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Cook Inlet, Alaska. This certification allows the CIRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Cook Inlet Program established by statute.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent security zone in the vicinity of the Coast Guard Base in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The security zone is needed for national security reasons to protect the public and the Coast Guard base from potential subversive acts. The proposed rule would exclude entry into the security zone by all vessels and personnel without permission of the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan.

The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of the final version of a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular. This NVIC contains revised guidelines for evaluating the physical and medical conditions of applicants for merchant mariner's documents, licenses, certificates of registry and STCW endorsements, collectively referred to as ``credential(s).'' The new NVIC is numbered 04-08, and it is entitled ``Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials.'' It replaces NVIC 2-98, which is cancelled as of the effective date of NVIC 04-08.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the enforcement period for special local regulations during the ``Tug-of-War'', a marine event held annually on the waters of Spa Creek between Eastport and Annapolis, Maryland. Special local 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 portions of Spa Creek during the event.

The Coast Guard proposes to increase the limits of liability for vessels and deepwater ports under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) to account for inflation. This notice also sets forth the methodology the Coast Guard proposes to use for this and future adjustments to the OPA 90 limits of liability to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). These adjustments are required by OPA 90 to preserve the deterrent effect and polluter pays principle embodied in the OPA 90 liability provisions.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the State Boat Channel surrounding the Robert Moses Causeway located in Captree, New York. This safety zone is necessary to protect vessels transiting the area from hazards imposed by construction barges and equipment. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound, New Haven, CT.

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 a revision of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0040, Continuous Discharge Book, Application, Physical Exam Report, Sea Service Report, Chemical Testing, Entry Level Physical. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of Lake Havasu on the lower Colorado River in support of the IJSBA World Finals. 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 Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Loop Parkway Bridge, mile 0.7, across Long Creek, Nassau County, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for three hours on two days to facilitate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is adopting a security zone interim rule published in July 2008 as a final rule. This rule creates a security zone around any vessel escorted by one or more Coast Guard, State, or local law enforcement assets on the navigable waters of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone, Savannah, Georgia. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and facilities from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. No vessel or person will be allowed in this zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Pacific Ocean encompassed in the 1,000 yard radius surrounding the wreckage of the M/V NEW CARISSA located 3 nautical miles north of the entrance to Coos Bay, Oregon. The Captain of the Port Portland is taking this action to safeguard individuals and vessels involved in a salvage operation involving the M/V NEW CARISSA. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is amending the regulatory requirements, under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, for vessel operators (as defined in the rule) to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility. The amendments ensure that the amounts of financial responsibility that must be demonstrated by vessel operators are consistent with recent statutory increases, and future mandated increases, to the limits of liability under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The amendments also implement changes in the Coast Guard's administration of the certificate of financial responsibility program, and clarify the current rule.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone upon specified waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during a fireworks display launched from a discharge barge located at National Harbor, in Prince Georges County, Maryland. This safety zone is intended to protect the maritime public in a portion of the Potomac River.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Wantagh State Parkway Bridge across Sloop Channel at mile 15.4, at Jones Beach, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may operate on a limited operating schedule for three months to facilitate the completion of bridge construction.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Triborough (125 Street) Bridge across the Chelsea River, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for four months to facilitate bridge maintenance. A three-week advance notice for openings will be available to allow vessel traffic that can not pass under the closed draw to transit.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Milwaukee Harbor Safety Zone in Milwaukee Harbor from 8:30 p.m. through 8:45 p.m. on September 29, 2008. This action is necessary to protect vessels and people from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This safety zone will restrict vessel traffic from portions of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of Johns Pass, Florida while construction operations are being conducted. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of the workers and mariners on the navigable waters of the United States. No person or vessel may anchor, moor, or transit the Regulated Area without permission of the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg, Florida.

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will meet in Washington, DC to discuss various issues relating to national maritime security. This meeting will be open to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding three Information Collection Requests (ICRs), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collections of information: (1) 1625-0028, Course Approval and Records for Merchant Marine Training Schools; (2) 1625- 0034, Ships' Stores Certification for Hazardous Materials Aboard Ships, and (3) 1625-0043, Ports and Waterways SafetyTitle 33 CFR Subchapter P. Our ICRs describe 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 published drawbridge operation regulation for the draw of the Union Pacific railroad bridge across Plaquemine Brule Bayou, mile 5.1, at Midland, LA. It has been determined that this bridge no longer exists. Since the bridge no longer exists, the regulation controlling the opening and closing of the bridge is no longer necessary.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for the Patchogue Grand Prix, a power boat race on Patchogue Bay off of Patchogue, New York. The safety zone provides for safety of navigation for the maritime public viewing and transiting near the power boat race. This safety zone is necessary to protect the maritime community from the hazards inherent with a power boat race, namely, a collision and loss of control of the power boats participating in this event. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the ``D'' Street Drawbridge across the Petaluma River, mile 13.7, at Petaluma, CA. The deviation is necessary to conduct maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the deviation period.

The Coast Guard proposes establishing a safety zone on the Appomattox River in the vicinity of Hopewell, VA in support of the Christmas Holiday Boat Parade Fireworks Event. This action will protect the maritime public on the Appomattox River from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The U. S. Coast Guard is establishing a security zone extending 12 nautical miles offshore from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0B launch complex for the launch of a large suborbital test rocket by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The NASA rocket launch is scheduled to occur between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. on August 21, 2008, on Wallops Island, VA. If the launch is postponed because of inclement weather or technical difficulties, it will be attempted between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each subsequent day after August 21, 2008, until the launch takes place or until 4 p.m. August 30, 2008. After August 30, 2008, the rule will no longer be in effect. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of persons and property, and to prevent terrorist acts or incidents on U.S. navigable waters during the rocket launch. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to depart the security zone.