Coast Guard – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Bayville Bridge, across Mill Neck Creek, mile 0.1, at Oyster Bay, New York. This deviation allows the bridge owner to open only one of the two moveable bascule spans for the passage of vessel traffic from September 5, 2006 through September 29, 2006. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Department of Homeland Security, through the Transportation Security Administration and the United States Coast Guard, published an Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Implementation in the Maritime Sector; Hazardous Materials Endorsement for a Commercial Driver's License'' on May 22, 2006. In response to letters from Congress about the proposed rule, we sent out the letter below and want to make the public aware of this correspondence.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing the navigable waters of the Presque Isle. Bay during the Kayak Event on August 26, 2006. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of participants and spectators from the hazards associated with kayaks crossing a main shipping channel during the event. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of Presque Isle Bay in Erie, PA.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bascule Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 357.2 west of Harvey Locks, at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. This deviation provides for two (2) three-hour closures to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around construction vessels and mooring lines under the West Span of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge during the deck erection phase of construction. The zone will encompass all waters within a box created by the points: 47-16.44' N, 122-33.35' W; 47-16.34' N, 122-33.04' W; 47-16.1' N, 122- 33.33' W; 47-16.21' N, 122-33.63' W. This safety zone will be in effect regardless of whether construction vessels are present or not. This zone approximately encompasses all waters from the Gig Harbor shoreline to just east of the west bridge caissons, extending 1500 feet north and south. The Coast Guard is taking this action to safeguard the public from possible collision with the vessels or their mooring lines, chains, or cables. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his designated representatives.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around the Barge ``MARMACK 12'', Official Number 1024657, while it is being used for the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Construction Project. The zone will extend 500 feet in all directions from the barge, and will be in effect at all times during the duration of this rule. This zone is only in effect while the barge is on the navigable waters of the United States, in the Tacoma Narrows. The Coast Guard is taking this action to safeguard the public from possible collision with the barge and the deck sections it is carrying, and from hazards associated with navigating in the vicinity of the barge during construction operations. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his designated representatives.

On July 7, 2006, the Coast Guard published a temporary final rule in the Federal Register establishing temporary special local regulations for the ``Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow'', an aerial demonstration to be held over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to Atlantic City, New Jersey. On July 14, 2006, the Coast Guard was notified that this marine event was proposed to be conducted at a different time period. This rule changes the times of enforcement for the temporary regulated area. These 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 the regulated area during the event.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of Stockton Deep Water Channel, in the vicinity of the Old Mormon Slough. This safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels, which might otherwise transit near the work site, from the hazards associated with the work. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the coastlines of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The Regional Examination Center (REC) at New Orleans, which provided credentialing services to approximately 29,000 mariners in those three states and 14 percent of mariners nationwide, was completely flooded, destroying vital records and equipment and rendering the facility inoperable for a considerable period of time. As a result, many mariners in the area are in possession of merchant mariner's documents, licenses and/or certificates of registry (collectively referred to as ``credentials'') that either have expired or may expire before the Coast Guard will be able to process these mariners' applications for renewal or upgraded credentials. With the authority Congress has granted, the Coast Guard is temporarily extending the expiration dates for credentials of eligible mariners for up to one year.

This document puts into effect the permanent regulations for the annual Taste of Italy Fireworks in Norwich, CT. The regulation is necessary to control vessel traffic within the immediate vicinity of the event due to the hazards presented by a fireworks display to the maritime community, thus providing for the safety of life and property on the affected waters.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the R. Ozzie Wedding Fireworks display on August 12, 2006 in Manchester By The Sea, MA, temporarily closing all waters in the vicinity of Manchester Bay and Manchester Harbor within a four hundred (400) yard radius of the fireworks barge located at approximate position 42[deg]50.00' N, 070[deg]47.00' W. This zone is necessary to protect the maritime public from the potential hazards posed by a fireworks display. The safety zone temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of Manchester Bay and Manchester Harbor during its closure period, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Boston, MA.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish two special anchorage areas in Camden Harbor, Camden, Maine. This proposed action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation in that area and provide safe and secure anchorages for vessels not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property in Camden Harbor, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Loop Parkway Bridge across Long Creek at mile 0.7, at Jones Beach, New York. Under this temporary deviation, the Loop Parkway Bridge need not open for the passage of vessel traffic from 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through 4:30 p.m., daily, from September 6, 2006 through October 26, 2006. A single bridge opening for all inbound commercial fishing vessels shall be provided, if a request to open the bridge is given, during the 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. bridge closure period. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the AMTRAK Portal Bridge, across the Hackensack River at mile 5.0, at Snake Hill, New Jersey. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position from 11 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2006 through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, and from 11 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2006 through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing the navigable waters of the Seneca River, New York. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of the Seneca River.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Erie. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Erie and Cleveland Harbor during the Cleveland National Air Show from August 31, 2006 to September 4, 2006. This safety zone is necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with high speed, low altitude acrobatic and military aircraft.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), its Subcommittee on Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), as well as its Working Groups on MARPOL Annex II, Barge Hazard Communication and Vapor Control Systems (VCS) will meet to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the regulations governing the operation of the Pinellas Bayway Structure ``E'' (SR 679) Bridge, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway mile 113, St. Petersburg Beach, Pinellas County, Florida. This rule is needed to provide vehicular traffic relief during heavy vehicular traffic periods flowing into a nearby county park, as well as meeting the reasonable needs of mariners. This bridge will open on signal, except that from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the draw need open only on the hour and 30 minutes past the hour until October 29, 2006.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Pentwater Homecoming Fireworks, Pentwater, Michigan. This safety zone is necessary to safeguard vessels and spectators from hazards associated with fireworks displays. This rule is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Beverly Homecoming Fireworks Display on August 6, 2006 in Beverly, Massachusetts, temporarily closing all waters of Beverly Harbor within a four hundred (400) yard radius of the fireworks barge located at approximate position 42[deg]33.35'' N, 070[deg]52.00'' W. This zone is necessary to protect the maritime public from the potential hazards posed by a fireworks display. The safety zone temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of Beverly Harbor during its closure period. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations (SLR) for the Seattle Seafair, Lake Washington, Washington. These special local regulations limit the movement of non-participating vessels in the regulated race area and provide for a viewing area for spectator craft. This rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during Seafair. The rule adds four hours to the effective time period of the existing SLR to accommodate the addition of a fireworks display in this year's Seafair.

The Coast Guard announces the stand-up of Sector Anchorage. The creation of Sector Anchorage is an internal reorganization that combines Marine Safety Office Anchorage with all prior subordinate units in addition to USCGC LONG ISLAND, USCGC MUSTANG, USCGC ROANOKE ISLAND, and Station Valdez into a single command. In addition, a Sector Field Office has been created to provide remote logistics support at Valdez, Alaska named Sector Field Office Valdez, which will be subordinate to Sector Anchorage. The Coast Guard has established a continuity of operations whereby all previous practices and procedures will remain in effect until superseded by an authorized Coast Guard official or document.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Lynch Wedding Fireworks display on August 5, 2006 in Marblehead, Massachusetts, temporarily closing all waters of the Atlantic Ocean between Marblehead Neck and Marblehead Rock in the vicinity of Lasque Ledge within a four hundred (400) yard radius of the fireworks barges located at approximate positions 42[deg]30.142' N, 070[deg]49.813' W and 42[deg]30.146' N, 070[deg]49.733' W. This zone is necessary to protect the maritime public from the potential hazards posed by a fireworks display. The safety zone temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of the Atlantic Ocean during its closure period. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts or the COTP's designated representative.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Berkley Bridge, at mile 0.4, across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia to facilitate repair and replacement of electrical and mechanical equipment. This deviation allows vessel openings of the drawbridge upon three hours advance notice each day between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning Monday, July 31, 2006 until and including Friday, August 4, 2006.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Vermont Air National Guard 60th Anniversary Air Show on August 18 and 19, 2006 in Burlington, Vermont. This zone will temporarily close all waters in Burlington Bay from Lone Rock Point 44[deg]29[min]43[sec] N 073[deg]14[min]56[sec] W SE to Oakledge Park 44[deg]27[min]15[sec] N 073[deg]14[min]52[sec] W, thence from the Burlington South break wall light 44[deg]28[min]12[sec] N 073[deg]13[min]32[sec] W extending due east to the shore, thence from the Burlington north break wall 44[deg]28[min]50[sec] N 073[deg]13[min]47[sec] W and extending due east to the shore. The safety zone, which temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of Burlington Bay, is necessary to safeguard the public from possible hazards associated with an air show. Entry into this zone by any vessel is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Northern New England or his designated representative.