[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28326-28333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13268]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 26, 161, 162, and 165

[CGD 95-033]
RIN 2115-AF12


National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending its Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) 
regulations to clarify certain sections and correct inaccurate 
geographic information. In addition, the final rule is deleting certain 
sections and adding existing vessel traffic management information 
which was inadvertently omitted in a separate final rule published in 
the Federal Register (59 FR 36316) on July 15, 1994. This rule is 
intended to promote safe vessel movement by reducing the potential for 
collisions, rammings, and groundings and their attendant loss of lives, 
property and environmental harm.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on May 31, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this 
preamble are available for inspection or copying at the office of the 
Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-LRA/3406), U.S. Coast 
Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., room 3406, Washington, DC 
20593-0001 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Irene Hoffman, Project Manager, Vessel Traffic Services Division 
(G-NVT), at (202) 267-6277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Ms. 
Irene Hoffman, Project Manager, and CDR Thomas Cahill, Project Counsel, 
Office of Chief Counsel.

Regulatory History

    On August 1, 1991, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``National Vessel Traffic Services 
Regulations'' in the Federal Register (58 FR 36910). On July 15, 1994, 
the Coast Guard published the final rule in the Federal Register (59 FR 
36316).

Background and Purpose

    Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, as amended by the 
Port and Tanker Safety Act (PTSA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90), 
the Secretary of Transportation may construct, operate, maintain, 
improve, or expand VTSs in any port or place under the jurisdiction of 
the United States, including the navigable waters of the United States, 
or in any area covered by an international agreement negotiated under 
33 U.S.C. 1230. The Act requires certain vessels which operate in a VTS 
area to use and comply with the VTS.
    In response to this mandate, the final rule published on July 15, 
1994, amended the VTS regulations to make participation in all VTSs 
mandatory. This rule also simplified existing VTS regulations by 
amending 33 CFR part 161 to incorporate: (1) Standard national vessel 
traffic management rules applicable to all VTSs; (2) vessel movement 
reporting requirements for [[Page 28327]] certain vessels operating in 
the VTS areas; and (3) geographic descriptions and local regulations 
pertaining to specific VTS areas. Additionally, the rule redesignated 
other regulations, not unique to VTS operations, into more appropriate 
parts within Title 33.

Discussion of Changes

    The National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations contain inaccurate 
latitudes, longitudes, geographic location descriptions, VTS area 
descriptions, and administrative omissions in tables 26.03(f) 
(Radiotelephone Required), 161.12(b) (Vessel Operating Requirements), 
161.35(b) (Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston), 161.35(c) (Vessel 
Traffic Service Houston/Galveston), 161.45(b) (Vessel Traffic Service 
St. Marys River), 161.60(d) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince William 
Sound), 165.811(e) (Atchafalaya River, Berwick Bay, LA--regulated 
navigation area) and Sec. 161.50 (Vessel Traffic Service San 
Francisco). These inaccuracies and omissions are being addressed in 
this rule.
    Minor editorial changes have been made to Secs. 26.04 (Use of the 
designated frequency), 26.07 (Communications), 162.117(g) (St. Marys 
River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan), 165.811(f) (Atchafalaya River, 
Berwick Bay, LA--regulated navigation area), and tables 161.40(c) 
(Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay) and 162.117(g) (St. Marys River, 
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan).
    Sections 161.60 (c)(2) and (c)(3) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince 
William Sound), are being rewritten in order to clarify intent and 
Secs. 161.60(c)(4) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound). 
Sections 165.1704(c)(4) (Prince William Sound, Alaska--regulated 
navigation area) is being deleted and sections 165.1704(c)(5), (c)(6), 
and (c)(7) are being redesignated.
    On April 19, 1994 the Coast Guard published an interim final rule 
in the Federal Register (59 FR 18486) establishing a Regulated 
Navigation Area at the Oliver Lock and Dam at MM 338 of the Black 
Warrior River. That rule was codified at 33 CFR 165.809. Due to a 
change in conditions on the Black Warrior River that Regulated 
Navigation Area is no longer necessary and has been rescinded. In the 
final rule, ``National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations'', published 
July 15, 1994, 33 CFR 165.809 set forth a Purpose and Applicability 
section for vessel operating rules contained in Sec. 165.810. Those 
vessel operating rules were previously contained in 33 CFR 161.402. For 
ease of use, this rule combines both Secs. 165.809 and 165.810 in 
Sec. 165.810.
    Additionally, the final rule published on July 15, 1994 
inadvertently omitted a vessel traffic management information section 
which was previously included in the NPRM published on August 1, 1991. 
Section 162.117(c) (St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) is 
being added.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under that 
order. It is not significant under the Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; 
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this 
proposal to be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation is 
unnecessary.

Regulatory Justification

    This rule corrects geographic and editorial inaccuracies and adds 
material included in the NPRM but inadvertently omitted in the Final 
Rule. Therefore, the Coast Guard finds under 5 U.S.C. 553 (c) and (d) 
that good cause exists to publish this as a final rule, effective upon 
publication, without notice and opportunity to comment.

Small Entities

    This rule only makes editorial changes and minor additions to 
existing vessel traffic management regulations. Therefore, the Coast 
Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This rule contains no collection-of-information requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. These VTS operating 
procedures are a matter for which regulations should be developed on 
the national level, to avoid unreasonably burdensome variances and 
confusion in applicability and operating requirements. These 
regulations which provide uniform VTS operating requirements preempt 
States from adopting similar requirements.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this final 
rule and concluded that under section 2.B.2. of Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1B, this final rule is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation. While the Coast Guard recognizes that this 
rule will have a positive effect on the environment by minimizing the 
risk of environmental harm resulting from collisions, groundings, and 
rammings, the impact is not expected to be significant enough to 
warrant further documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is 
available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects

33 CFR Part 26

    Communications equipment, Navigation (water), Marine safety, Radio, 
Telephone, Vessels.

33 CFR Part 161

    Harbors, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Vessels, Waterways.

33 CFR Part 162

    Navigation (water), Waterways.

33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard is 
amending 33 CFR parts 26, 161, 162, and 165, as follows:

PART 26--VESSEL BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE RADIOTELEPHONE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1201-1208; 49 CFR 1.46. Sections 26.04 and 
26.09 also issued under sec. 4118, Pub. L. 101-380, 104 Stat. 523 
(33 U.S.C. 1203 note).

    2. In Sec. 26.03(f), table 26.03(f) is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 28328]]
     Table 26.03(f)--Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Call Signs, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessel traffic services\1\ (call   Designated frequency \2\                                                     
              sign)                 (channel designation)                      Monitoring area                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    New York                                                    
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Traffic \3\............  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The waters of the Lower New York Bay west of a line
                                                              drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point and north 
                                                              of the line drawn from Ambrose Entrance Lighted   
                                                              Gong Buoy #1 to Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy 
                                                              #9 thence to West Bank Light and thence to Great  
                                                              Kills Light. The waters of the Upper New York Bay,
                                                              south of 40 deg.42.40'N. (Brooklyn Bridge) and 40 
                                                              deg.43.70'N. (Holland Tunnel Ventilator Shaft);   
                                                              and in Newark Bay, north of 40 deg.38.25'N.       
                                                              (Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge), and south of 40    
                                                              deg.41.95'N. (Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge); and the 
                                                              Kill Van Kull.                                    
                                  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The waters of Raritan Bay east of a line drawn from
                                                              Great Kills Light to Point Comfort in New Jersey  
                                                              and south of a line drawn from Great Kills Light  
                                                              to West Bank Light, thence to Ambrose Channel     
                                                              Lighted Gong Buoy #9, and thence to Ambrose       
                                                              Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and west of a line   
                                                              drawn from Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 to
                                                              the Sandy Hook Channel Entrance Buoys (Sandy Hook 
                                                              Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and Sandy Hook Lighted Bell  
                                                              Buoy #2).                                         
                                  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  Each vessel at anchor within the above areas.      
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Houston \3\                                                   
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             The navigable waters north of 29 deg.N., west of 94
                                                              deg.20'W., south of 29 deg.49'N., and east of 95  
                                                              deg.20'W.:                                        
Houston Traffic.................  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters north of a line extending due 
                                                              west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1  
                                                              (29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).               
                                  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The navigable waters south of a line extending due 
                                                              west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1  
                                                              (29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).               
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Berwick Bay                                                  
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berwick Traffic.................  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters south of 29 deg.45'N., west of
                                                              91 deg.10'W., north of 29 deg.37'N., and east of  
                                                              91 deg.18'W.                                      
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                St. Marys River                                                 
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soo Control.....................  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The navigable waters of the St. Marys River between
                                                              45 deg.57'N. (De Tour Reef Light) and 46          
                                                              deg.38.7'N. (lle Parisienne Light), except the St.
                                                              Marys Falls Canal and those navigable waters east 
                                                              of a line from 46 deg.04.16'N. and 46 deg.01.57'N.
                                                              (La Pointe to Sims Point in Potagannissing Bay and
                                                              Worsley Bay and Worsley Bay).                     
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               San Francisco \3\                                                
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco Traffic...........  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The waters within a 38 nautical mile radius of     
                                                              Mount Tamalpais (37 deg.55.8'N., 122 deg.34.6'W.) 
                                                              excluding the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary
                                                              Area.                                             
                                  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The waters of the San Francisco Offshore           
                                                              Precautionary Area eastward to San Francisco Bay  
                                                              including its tributaries extending to the ports  
                                                              of Stockton, Sacramento and Redwood City.         
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Puget Sound \4\                                                 
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle Traffic \5\.............  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and
                                                              adjacent waters south of a line connecting        
                                                              Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point in Admiralty   
                                                              Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the 
                                                              southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey   
                                                              Island to the shoreline.                          
                                  156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A).....  The navigable waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
                                                              east of 124 deg.40'W. excluding the waters in the 
                                                              central portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca     
                                                              north and east of Race Rocks; the navigable waters
                                                              of the Strait of Georgia east of 122 deg.52'W.;   
                                                              the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait,  
                                                              Bellingham Bay: Admiralty Inlet north of a line   
                                                              connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point and 
                                                              all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line 
                                                              drawn due east form the southernmost tip of       
                                                              Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the         
                                                              shoreline.                                        
Tofino Traffic \6\..............  156.725 MHz (Ch. 74).....  The waters west of 124 deg.40'W. within 50 nautical
                                                              miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including  
                                                              the waters north of 48 deg.N., and east of 127    
                                                              deg.W.                                            
[[Page 28329]]
                                                                                                                
Vancouver Traffic...............  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia west 
                                                              of 122 deg.52'W., the navigable waters of the     
                                                              central Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of  
                                                              Race Rocks, including the Gulf Island Archipelago,
                                                              Boundary Pass and Haro Strait.                    
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Prince William Sound \7\                                            
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valdez Traffic..................  156.650 MHz (Ch. 13).....  The navigable waters south of 61 deg.05'N., east of
                                                              147 deg.20'W., north of 60 deg.N., and west of 146
                                                              deg.30'W.; and, all navigable waters in Port      
                                                              Valdez.                                           
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Louisville \7\                                                 
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisville Traffic..............  156.650 MHz (Ch. 13).....  The navigable waters of the Ohio River between     
                                                              McAlpine Locks (Mile 606) and Twelve Mile Island  
                                                              (Mile 593), only when the McAlpine upper pool     
                                                              gauge is at approximately 13.0 feet or above.     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:                                                                                                          
\1\ VTS regulations are denoted in 33 CFR Part 161. All geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) are     
  expressed in North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).                                                           
\2\ In the event of a communication failure either by the vessel traffic center or the vessel or radio          
  congestion on a designated VTS frequency, communications may be established on an alternate VTS frequency. The
  bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is monitored in each VTS area; and it may  
  be used as an alternate frequency, however, only to the extent that doing so provides a level of safety beyond
  that provided by other means.                                                                                 
\3\ Designated frequency monitoring is required within U.S. navigable waters. In areas which are outside the    
  U.S. navigable waters, designated frequency monitoring is voluntary. However, prospective VTS Users are       
  encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.                                                               
\4\ A Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service was established by the United States and Canada with adjoining waters. 
  The appropriate vessel traffic center administers the rules issued by both nations; however, it will enforce  
  only its own set of rules within its jurisdiction.                                                            
\5\ Seattle Traffic may direct a vessel to monitor the other primary VTS frequency 156.250 MHz or 156.700 MHz   
  (Channel 5A or 14) depending on traffic density, weather conditions, or other safety factors, rather than     
  strictly adhering to the designated frequency required for each monitoring area as defined above. This does   
  not require a vessel to monitor both primary frequencies.                                                     
\6\ A portion of Tofino Sector's monitoring area extends beyond the defined CVTS area. Designated frequency     
  monitoring is voluntary in these portions outside of VTS jurisdiction, however, prospective VTS Users are     
  encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.                                                               
\7\ The bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is used in these VTSs because the    
  level of radiotelephone transmissions does not warrant a designated VTS frequency. The listening watch        
  required by Sec.  26.05 of this chapter is not limited to the monitoring area.                                

Sec. 26.04  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 26.04, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (e) On those navigable waters of the United States within a VTS 
area, the designated VTS frequency is an additional designated 
frequency required to be monitored in accordance with Sec. 26.05.
* * * * *


Sec. 26.07  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 26.07, insert a comma after ``no person may serve as''

PART 161--VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

    5. The authority citation for part 161 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 33 U.S.C. 1223; 49 CFR 1.46.

    6. In Sec. 161.12, table 161.12(b) is revised to read as follows:

     Table 161.12(b)--Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Call Signs, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Vessel traffic services (call    Designated Frequency \1\                                                     
              sign)                 (Channel designation)                      Monitoring area                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    New York                                                    
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Traffic \2\............  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The waters of the Lower New York Bay west of a line
                                                              drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point and north 
                                                              of a line drawn from Ambrose Entrance Lighted Gong
                                                              Buoy #1 to Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #9   
                                                              thence to West Bank Light and thence to Great     
                                                              Kills Light. The waters of the Upper New York Bay,
                                                              south of 40 deg.42.40'N. (Brooklyn Bridge) and 40 
                                                              deg.43.70'N. (Holland Tunnel Ventilator Shaft);   
                                                              and in Newark Bay, north of 40 deg.38.25'N.       
                                                              (Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge), and south of 40    
                                                              deg.41.95'N (Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge); and the  
                                                              Kill Van Kull.                                    
[[Page 28330]]
                                                                                                                
                                  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The waters of Raritan Bay east of a line drawn from
                                                              Great Kills Light to Point Comfort in New Jersey  
                                                              and south of a line drawn from Great Kills Light  
                                                              to West Bank Light. Thence to Ambrose Channel     
                                                              Lighted Gong Buoy #9, and thence to Ambrose       
                                                              Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and west of a line   
                                                              drawn from Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 to
                                                              the Sandy Hook Channel Entrance Buoys (Sandy Hook 
                                                              Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and Sandy Hook Lighted Bell  
                                                              Buoy #2).                                         
                                  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  Each vessel at anchor within the above areas.      
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Houston \2\                                                  
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             The navigable waters north of 29 deg.N., west of 94
                                                              deg.20'W., south of 29 deg.49'N., and east of 95  
                                                              deg.20'W.:                                        
Houston Traffic.................  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters north of a line extending due 
                                                              west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1  
                                                              (29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).               
                                  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The navigable waters south of a line extending due 
                                                              west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1  
                                                              (29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).               
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Berwick Bay                                                  
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berwick Traffic.................  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters south of 29 deg.45'N., west of
                                                              91 deg.10'W., north of 29 deg.37'N., and east of  
                                                              91 deg.18'W.                                      
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 St. Marys River                                                
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soo Control.....................  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The navigable waters of the St. Marys River between
                                                              45 deg.57'N. (De Tour Reef Light) and 46          
                                                              deg.38.7'N. (IIe Parisienne Light), except the St.
                                                              Marys Falls Canal and those navigable waters east 
                                                              of a line from 46 deg.04.16'N. and 46 deg.01.57'N.
                                                              (La Pointe to Sims Point In Potagannissing Bay and
                                                              Worsley Bay).                                     
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                San Francisco \2\                                               
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco Traffic...........  156.600 MHz (Ch. 12).....  The waters within a 38 nautical mile radius of     
                                                              Mount Tamalpais (37 deg.55.8'N., 122 deg.34.6'W.) 
                                                              excluding the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary
                                                              Area.                                             
                                  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The waters of the San Francisco Offshore           
                                                              Precautionary Area eastward to San Francisco Bay  
                                                              including its tributaries extending to the ports  
                                                              of Stockton, Sacramento and Redwood City.         
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Puget Sound \3\                                                
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle Traffic \4\.............  156.700 MHz (Ch. 14).....  The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and
                                                              adjacent waters south of a line connecting        
                                                              Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point in Admiralty   
                                                              Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the 
                                                              southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey   
                                                              Island to the shoreline.                          
                                  156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A).....  The navigable waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca 
                                                              east of 124 deg.40'W. excluding the waters in the 
                                                              central portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca     
                                                              north and east of Race Rocks; the navigable waters
                                                              of the Strait of Georgia east of 122 deg.52'W.;   
                                                              the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait,  
                                                              Bellingham Bay; Admiralty Inlet north of a line   
                                                              connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point and 
                                                              all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line 
                                                              drawn due east from the southernmost tip of       
                                                              Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the         
                                                              shoreline.                                        
Tofino Traffic \5\..............  156.725 MHz (Ch. 74).....  The waters west of 124 deg.40'W. within 50 nautical
                                                              miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including  
                                                              the waters north of 48 deg.N., and east of 127    
                                                              deg.W.                                            
Vancouver Traffic...............  156.550 MHz (Ch. 11).....  The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia west 
                                                              of 122 deg.52'W., the navigable waters of the     
                                                              central Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of  
                                                              Race Rocks, including the Gulf Island Archipelago,
                                                              Boundary Pass and Haro Strait.                    
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Prince William Sound \6\                                            
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valdez Traffic..................  156.650 MHz (Ch. 13).....  The navigable waters south of 61 deg.05'N., east of
                                                              147 deg.20'W., north of 60 deg.N., and west of 146
                                                              deg.30'W.; and, all navigable waters in port      
                                                              Valdez.                                           
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 28331]]
                                                                                                                
                                                 Louisville \6\                                                 
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisville Traffic..............  156.650 MHz (Ch. 13).....  The navigable waters of the Ohio River between     
                                                              McAlpine Locks (Mile 606) and Twelve Mile Island  
                                                              (Mile 593), only when the McAlpine upper pool     
                                                              gauge is at approximately 13.0 feet or above.     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:                                                                                                          
\1\ In the event of a communication failure either by the vessel traffic center or the vessel or radio          
  congestion on a designated VTS frequency, communications may be established on an alternate VTS frequency. The
  bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is monitored in each VTS area; and it may  
  be used as an alternate frequency, however, only to the extent that doing so provides a level of safety beyond
  that provided by other means.                                                                                 
\2\ Designated frequency monitoring is required within U.S. navigable waters. In areas which are outside the    
  U.S. navigable waters, designated frequency monitoring is voluntary. However, prospective VTS Users are       
  encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.                                                               
\3\ A Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service was established by the United States and Canada within adjoining       
  waters. The appropriate vessel traffic center administers the rules issued by both nations; however, it will  
  enforce only its own set of rules within its jurisdiction.                                                    
\4\ Seattle Traffic may direct a vessel to monitor the other primary VTS frequency 156.250 MHz or 156.700 MHz   
  (Channel 5A or 14) depending on traffic density, weather conditions, or other safety factors, rather than     
  strictly adhering to the designated frequency required for each monitoring area as defined above. This does   
  not require a vessel to monitor both primary frequencies.                                                     
\5\ A portion of Tofino Sector's monitoring area extends beyond the defined CVTS area. Designated frequency     
  monitoring is voluntary in these portions outside of VTS jurisdiction, however, prospective VTS Users are     
  encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.                                                               
\6\ The bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is used in these VTSs because the    
  level of radiotelephone transmissions does not warrant a designated VTS frequency. The listening watch        
  required by Sec.  26.05 of this chapter is not limited to the monitoring area.                                


  7. In Sec. 161.35(b), table 161.35(b) is revised to read as 
follows:

       Table 161.35(b)--VTS Houston/Galveston Precautionary Areas       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Center point        
    Precautionary area name       Radius   -----------------------------
                                  (yds.)       Latitude      Longitude  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bolivar Roads.................       4000   29 deg.20.9'N  94 deg.47.0'W
Red Fish Bar..................       4000   29 deg.29.8'N  94 deg.51.9'W
Bayport Channel...............       4000   29 deg.36.7'N  94 deg.57.2'W
Morgans Point.................       2000   29 deg.41.0'N  94 deg.59.0'W
Upper San Jacinto Bay.........       1000   29 deg.42.3'N  95 deg.01.1'W
Baytown.......................       1000   29 deg.43.6'N  95 deg.01.4'W
Lynchburg.....................       1000   29 deg.45.8'N  95 deg.04.8'W
Carpenters Bayou..............       1000   29 deg.45.3'N  95 deg.05.6'W
Jacintoport...................       1000   29 deg.44.8'N  95 deg.06.0'W
Greens Bayou..................       1000   29 deg.44.8'N  95 deg.10.2'W
Hunting Bayou.................       1000   29 deg.44.3'N  95 deg.12.1'W
Sims Bayou....................       1000   29 deg.43.1'N  95 deg.14.4'W
Brady Island..................       1000   29 deg.43.5'N  95 deg.16.4' 
                                                            W           
Buffalo Bayou.................       1000   29 deg.45.0'N  95 deg.17.3'W
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each Precautionary Area encompasses a circular area of the radius 
  denoted.                                                              


    8. In Sec. 161.35(c), table 161.35(c) is revised to read as 
follows:


                             Table 161.35(c)--VTS Houston/Galveston Reporting Points                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Designator        Geographic name       Geographic description     Latitude/longitude            Notes       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..............  Galveston Bay Entrance   Galveston Bay Entrance   29 deg.18.4'N; 94        ....................
                  Channel.                 CH Lighted Buoy (LB)     deg.37.6'W.                                 
                                           ``GB''.                                                              
2..............  Galveston Bay Entrance   Galveston Bay Entrance   29 deg.20.6'N; 94        ....................
                  Channel.                 Channel LB 11 and 12.    deg.44.6'W.                                 
E..............  Bolivar Land Cut.......  Mile 349 Intracoastal    29 deg.22.5'N; 94        Tows entering HSC   
                                           Waterway (ICW).          deg.46.9' W.             also report at HSC 
                                                                                             LB 25 & 26.        
W..............  Pelican Cut............  Mile 351 ICW...........  29 deg.21.4'N; 94        Tow entering HSC    
                                                                    deg.48.5' W.             also report at HSC 
                                                                                             LB 25 & 26.        
GCG............  Galveston Harbor.......  USCG Base. At the        29 deg.20.0'N; 94        ....................
                                           entrance to Galveston    deg.46.5'W.                                 
                                           Harbor.                                                              
T..............  Texas City Channel.....  Texas City Channel LB    29 deg.22.4'N; 94        ....................
                                           12.                      deg.50.9'W.                                 
[[Page 28332]]
                                                                                                                
X..............  Houston Ship Channel     Houston Ship Channel     29 deg.22.1'N; 94        Tow entering HSC    
                  ICW Intersection.        (HSC) LB 25 and 26.      deg.48.1'W..             from ICW or Texas  
                                                                                             Cut Only.          
3..............  Lower Galveston Bay....  HSC LB 31 and 32.......  29 deg.23.5'N; 94        ....................
                                                                    deg.48.8'W.                                 
4..............  Red Fish Bar...........  HSC Lt. 53A & 54A......  29 deg.30.3'N; 94        ....................
                                                                    deg.52.4'W.                                 
P..............  Bayport Ship Channel...  Bayport Ship Channel     29 deg.36.8'N; 94        Report at the North 
                                           Lt. 7 and 8.             deg.59.5' W;.            Land Cut.          
4A.............  Upper Galveston Bay....  HSC Buoys 69 and 70....  29 deg.34.7'N; 94        Tows only.          
                                                                    deg.55.8' W.                                
5..............  Morgan's Point.........  Barbour's Cut..........  29 deg.41.0'N; 94        Abeam Barbours Cut. 
                                                                    deg.58.9'W..                                
6..............  Exxon..................  Baytown Bend...........  29 deg.43.5'N; 95        ....................
                                                                    deg.01.4'W.                                 
7..............  Lynchburg..............  Ferry crossing.........  29 deg.45.8'N; 95        ....................
                                                                    deg.04.8'W.                                 
8..............  Shell Oil..............  Boggy Bayou............  29 deg.44.1'N; 95        ....................
                                                                    deg.08.0'W.                                 
9..............  Greens Bayou...........  Greens Bayou...........  29 deg.44.8'N; 95        ....................
                                                                    deg.10.1'W.                                 
10.............  Hess Turning Basin.....  Hunting Bayou Turning    29 deg.44.3'N;95 deg.12                      
                                           Basin.                   .1'W.                                       
11.............  Lyondell Turning Basin.  Sims Bayou Turning       29 deg.43.2'N; 95                            
                                           Basin.                   deg.14.4'W.                                 
12.............  I-610 Bridge...........  I-610 Bridge...........  29 deg.43.5'N; 95                            
                                                                    deg.16.0'W.                                 
13.............  Houston Turning Basin..  Buffalo Bayou..........  29 deg.45.0'N; 95                            
                                                                    deg.17.4'W.                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 161.40  [Amended]

    9. In Sec. 161.40(c), table 161.40(c) is amended by adding the 
heading ``Table 161.40(c)--VTS Berwick Bay Reporting Points''.
    10. In Sec. 161.45(b), table 161.45(b) is revised to read as 
follows:

                              Table 161.45(b)--VTS St. Marys River Reporting Points                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Designator          Geographic name     Geographic description    Latitude/longitude            Notes       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................  Ile Parisienne........  Ile Parisienne Light..  46 deg.37.3'N; 84       Downbound Only.     
                                                                     deg.45.9' W.                               
2.................  Gros Cap Reef.........  Gros Cap Reefs Light..  46 deg.30.6'N; 84       Upbound Only.       
                                                                     deg.37.1' W.                               
3.................  Round Island..........  Round Island Light 32.  46 deg.26.9'N; 84                           
                                                                     deg.31.7'W.                                
4.................  Pointe Louise.........  Pointe Louise Light...  46 deg.27.8'N; 84                           
                                                                     deg.28.2'W.                                
5*................  West End of Locks.....  West Center Pierhead    46 deg.30.2'N; 84       Upbound Only.       
                                             Light.                  deg.22.2' W.                               
6.................  East End of Locks.....  East Center Pierhead    46 deg.30.1'N; 84       Downbound Only.     
                                             Light.                  deg.20.3' W.                               
7.................  Mission Point.........  Light 99..............  46 deg.29.2'N; 84                           
                                                                     deg.18.1'W.                                
8.................  Six Mile Point........  Six Mile Point........  46 deg.26.1'N; 84                           
                                                                     deg.15.4'W.                                
9.................  Ninemile Point........  Light 80..............  46 deg.23.5'N; 84                           
                                                                     deg.14.1'W.                                
10................  West Neebish Channel..  Light 29..............  46 deg.16.9'N; 84       Downbound Only.     
                                                                     deg.12.5' W.                               
11................  Munuscong Lake          Lighted Junction Buoy.  46 deg.10.8'N; 84                           
                     Junction.                                       deg.05.6'W.                                
12................  De Tour Reef..........  De Tour Reef Light....  46 deg.56.9'N; 83                           
                                                                     deg.53.7'W.                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 161.50  [Amended]

    11. In Sec. 161.50, remove ``(a)'' at the beginning of the section; 
remove the words ``Petaluma River Entrance Lights `1' and `2' '' and 
add, in their place, the words ``Petaluma River Entrance Channel 
Daybeacon 19 and Petaluma River Entrance Channel Light 20''; and remove 
the words ``Redwood City'' and add, in their place, ``the Dumbarton 
Bridge.''
    12. In Sec. 161.60, paragraph (c)(4) is removed; and paragraphs 
(c)(2) and (c)(3) and the table in paragraph (d) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 161.60  Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (2) For a vessel listed in paragraph (c)(3) of this section--
    (i) Approval to enter this area will not be granted to a vessel 
when a tank vessel of more than 20,000 deadweight tons is navigating 
therein;
    (ii) A northbound vessel shall remain south of 61 deg.N. until the 
VTS has granted permission to proceed; and
    (iii) A southbound vessel shall remain in Port Valdez east of 
146 deg.35'W. and north of 61 deg.06'N. until the VTS has granted 
permission to proceed.
    (3) Paragraph (c)(2) of this section applies to--
    (i) A vessel of 1600 gross tons or more; and
    (ii) A towing vessel of 8 meters or more in length, except for a 
vessel performing duties as an escort vessel as defined in 33 CFR Part 
168.
    (d) Reporting Points.

                           Table 161.60(d)--VTS Prince William Sound Reporting Points                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Designator        Geographic name       Geographic description     Latitude/longitude            Notes       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1A.............  Cape Hinchinbrook......  Cape Hinchinbrook......  60 deg.16'18''N; 146     Northbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.45'30'' W.                              
1B.............  Schooner Rock..........  Schooner Rock..........  60 deg.18'42''N; 146     Southbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.51'36'' W.                              
[[Page 28333]]
                                                                                                                
2A.............  Naked Island...........  Naked Island...........  60 deg.40'00''N; 147     Northbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.01'24'' W.                              
2B.............  Naked Island...........  Naked Island...........  60 deg.40'00''N; 147     Southbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.05'00'' W.                              
3A.............  Bligh Reef.............  Bligh Reef Light (Pilot  60 deg.50'36''N; 146     Northbound Only.    
                                           Embark).                 deg.57'30'' W.                              
3B.............  Bligh Reef.............  Bligh Reef Light (Pilot  60 deg.51'00''N; 147     Southbound Only.    
                                           Disembark).              deg.01'24'' W.                              
4A.............  Rocky Point............  Rocky Point............  60 deg.57'48''N; 146     Northbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.47'30'' W.                              
4B.............  Rocky Point............  Rocky Point............  60 deg.57'48''N; 146     Southbound Only.    
                                                                    deg.50'00'' W.                              
5..............  Entrance Island........  Entrance Island Light..  61 deg.05'24''N; 146                         
                                                                    deg.37'30''W..                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 162--INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS

    13. The authority citation for part 162 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 49 CFR 1.46.


Sec. 162.117  [Amended]

    14. In 162.117, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (c) Anchoring Rules
    (1) A vessel must not anchor:
    (i) within the waters between Brush Point and the waterworks intake 
crib off Big Point southward of the Point Aux Pins range; or
    (i) within 0.2 nautical miles of the intake crib off Big Point.
    (2) In an emergency, vessels may anchor in a dredged channel. 
Vessels shall anchor as near to the edge of the channel as possible and 
shall get underway as soon as the emergency ceases, unless otherwise 
directed. Vessel Traffic Services St. Marys River must be advised of 
any emergency anchoring as soon as is practicable.
    (3) Vessels collected in any part of the VTS Area by reason of 
temporary closure of a channel or an impediment to navigation shall get 
underway and depart in the order in which they arrived, unless 
otherwise directed by Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River. Vessel 
Traffic Service St. Marys River may advance any vessel in the order of 
departure to expedite the movement of mails, passengers, cargo of a 
perishable nature, to facilitate passage of vessels through any channel 
by reason of special circumstance, or to facilitate passage through the 
St. Marys Falls Canal.
* * * * *
    15. In Sec. 162.117(g), Table 162.117(g), add the heading ``Table 
162.117(g)--St. Marys River Speed Rules''; and in paragraph (g)(2), add 
the words ``Commanding Officer'' before ``Vessel Traffic Service St. 
Marys River.''

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

    16. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.


Sec. 165.809  [Removed]

    17. Section 165.809 is removed.


Sec. 165.810  [Amended]

    18. In Sec. 165.810 redesignate paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) as 
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) respectively; and add paragraph (a) to read 
as follows:
    (a) Purpose and Applicability. This section prescribes rules for 
all vessels operating in the Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA, 
including South and Southwest Passes, to assist in the prevention of 
collisions and groundings and to protect the navigable waters of the 
Mississippi River from environmental harm resulting from those 
incidents.
* * * * *


Sec. 165.811  [Amended]

    19. In Sec. 165.811, in paragraph (e), amend the table heading by 
adding ``Table 165.812(e)--'' before the words ``Minimum Available 
Horsepower Requirement''; and in paragraph (f)(4)(ii), remove the word 
``horizontally'' and add, in its place, the word ``vertically.''


Sec. 165.1704  [Amended]

    20. In Sec. 165.1704 remove paragraph (c)(4) and redesignate 
paragraphs (c)(5), (c)(6) and (c)(7) as paragraphs (c)(4), (c)(5) and 
(c)(6), respectively.

    Dated: May, 16, 1995.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and 
Waterways Services.
[FR Doc. 95-13268 Filed 5-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M