[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55366-55367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28287]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD01-95-139]


Captain of the Port Boston; Meeting

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Captain of the Port Boston (COTP Boston) will hold a 
meeting to discuss modifying the existing regulation for the waters of 
the Chelsea River, Boston, Inner Harbor, in order to encourage the use 
of double hull tankships. This meeting is open to the public. Proposed 
amendments may increase the size of tankships permitted to transit 
through his regulated waterway provided enhanced safety systems are in 
place. Proposed amendments should be based on a performance standard 
consistently applied to all tankships transiting through the Chelsea 
Street Bridge.

DATES: The meeting will be held on November 4, 1997 from 9 a.m. to 12 
p.m. Written material and requests to make oral presentations should 
reach the COTP Boston on or before October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Captain of the Port Boston, 
Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 455 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 
02109-1045. Comments may also be hand-delivered to the above address 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT Michael H. Day, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Boston, MA; 
telephone (617) 223-3000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given pursuant to 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate by 
submitting written data, views, or arguments. Persons submitting 
comments should include their names and addresses, identify this 
specific Notice of Meeting (CGD01-97-080) and the specific issue to 
which each comment applies, and gives reasons for

[[Page 55367]]

each comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and 
attachments be submitted in an 8\1/2\''  x  11'' unbound format 
suitable for copying and electronic filing. If this is not practical, a 
second copy of any bound material is requested. Persons desiring 
acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard has also scheduled a public hearing on November 4,1 
997, at 9 a.m., to receive oral presentations. The public meeting will 
be held in the Function Room on the first floor of Building 1, at the 
Coast Guard Integrated Support Company, 427 Commercial St., Boston, MA.

Background

    The Chelesa Street Bridge is a bascule-type bridge owned by the 
City of Boston and originally constructed in 1939. It spans the Chelsea 
River providing a means for vehicles to travel between Chelsea, MA and 
East Boston, MA. Several petroleum-product transfer facilities are 
located on the Chelsea River, upstream and downstream of the Chelsea 
Street Bridge. Transit of tankships through the bridge is necessary to 
access the facilities upstream of the bridge. The narrow bridge-span 
opening creates a very difficult passage through the bridge for larger 
vessels. Adding to the difficulty are the close proximity of 
neighboring shore structures and, at times, vessels moored at 
facilities adjacent to the bridge.
    In 1986, the bridge and its fendering system were in a dilapidated 
condition, which further complicated vessel transits. Additionally, the 
Northeast Petroleum Terminal (locally referred to as the Jenny Dock) 
and the Mobil Oil Terminal were located downstream of the bridge on the 
north and south bank of the river respectively. If one or more vessels 
were moored at either of those facilities, the already short and narrow 
approach to the bridge was further restricted, thus reducing the 
maneuverability space of vessels during the approach and transit 
through the bridge. Meetings between the Coast Guard, marine operators, 
and pilots indicated that restrictions on length and width of 
particular vessel traffic were necessary to achieve an acceptable level 
of safety for navigating this difficult area. Additionally, with the 
double hull requirements set forth in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(OPA-90), several tanker designs keeping the present cargo capacities 
while meeting the requirements of OPA-90 will create a tanker with a 
beam up to 92 feet.

Agenda of Meeting

    Due to the above mentioned concerns, the Coast Guard seeks comments 
on the following specific items.

Existing Safety Zone Regulations

    On June 27, 1986, (51 FR 23415) the Coast Guard promulgated the 
safety zone regulations published in 33 CFR 165.120. These regulations 
extend over the waters of the Chelsea River for 100 yards upstream and 
downstream of the bridge, restrict water traffic transiting the Chelsea 
Street Bridge and implement vessel operational constraints. The Coast 
Guard justified these restrictions and constraints by citing more than 
75 bridge allisions and other incidents involving vessels transiting 
the Chelsea Street Bridge during the period from 1978 through 1985.

Vessel Size Restrictions

    Currently, only vessels meeting certain draft and physical 
dimensions (overall length and overall width) are allowed to enter the 
safety zone. No vessel greater than 661 feet in length, or greater than 
90.5 feet in beam, may transit the safety zone. No vessel greater than 
630.5 feet in length, or 85.5 feet or greater in beam, may transit the 
safety zone between sunset and sunrise. No tankship greater than 550.5 
feet in length may transit the safety zone with a draft less than 18 
feet forward and 24 feet aft. Current regulations authorize the 
restrictions to be relaxed with specific approval from the Captain of 
the Port.

Extending the Width of Tankers Permitted Through the Bridge

    While focusing on the physical dimensions of tank vessels 
transiting the Chelsea River, the current regulation does not address 
added or redundant systems aboard these vessels which may be used to 
enhance port and vessel safety and minimize potential pollution 
incidents. A slightly wider or longer double-hulled tankship with 
enhanced operational system transiting the Chelsea River may, in fact, 
have a margin of safety greater than the currently used smaller, less 
equipped tankships due to the former's improved maneuvering, handling, 
and safety characteristics.

Maneuvering

    These enhanced systems may include: redundant power systems, 
redundant propulsion, controllable pitch propellers, improved steering 
capabilities, bow thrusters and other safety systems.

Procedural

    All sessions are open to the public. At the Chairperson's 
discretion, members of the public may make oral presentations during 
the meeting. Persons wishing to make oral presentations at the meeting 
should notify Lt. Michael H. Day no later than October 27, 1997. 
Written material for distribution at the meeting should reach the COTP 
Boston no later than October 27, 1997. If a person submitting material 
would like copies distributed in advance of the meeting, that person 
should submit 25 copies to the COTP Boston no later than October 27, 
1997.

Information on Services for the Handicapped

    For information on facilities or services for the handicapped or to 
request special assistance at the meeting, contact COTP Boston as soon 
as possible.

    Dated: September 30, 1997.
J.L. Grenier,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 97-28287 Filed 10-23-97; 8:45 am]
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