[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32333-32335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15933]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-96-008]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; Suncoast Kilo Run; Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge; Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Sarasota, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations for 
Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast Offshore 
Grand Prix, all events sponsored by the S.O.R.A. (Suncoast Offshore 
Racing Association). The Suncoast Kilo Run event will be held annually 
at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), on the first Friday of 
July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge event will be held annually at 10 
a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, on the first Saturday of July. The Suncoast 
Offshore Grand Prix event will be held annually at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
EDT, on the first Sunday of July. These regulations are intended to 
promote safe navigation on the waters in the Gulf of Mexico in the 
vicinity of Sarasota and on the waters in North Sarasota Bay, Florida, 
by controlling the traffic entering, exiting, and traveling within 
these waters. These regulations are necessary to provide for the safety 
of life on navigable waters during the event.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Documents listed in this regulation are available for 
inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg, 
operations office, 600 8th Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-
5099 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, except 
federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG J.W. Nelson, project officer, U.S. Coast Guard Group St. 
Petersburg, FL at (813) 824-7533.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause 
exists to make this final rule effective in less than 30 days from the 
date of publication in the Federal Register. Following normal 
rulemaking procedures would have been impracticable, unnecessary, and 
contrary to the public interest. A notice of proposed rulemaking for 
this rule was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 19220) with a 
thirty day comment period ending on May 31, 1996. During the comment 
period, no comments were received regarding this rulemaking, and this 
final rule does not change the provisions of the notice of proposed 
rulemaking.

Regulatory History

    On May 1, 1996, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking entitled ``Special Local Regulations; Suncoast Kilo Run; 
Suncoast Offshore Challenge; and Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; 
Sarasota, FL'' (CGD07-96-008) in the Federal Register (61 FR 19220). 
The comment period ended on May 31, 1996. The Coast Guard received no 
comments during the proposed rulemaking period. A public hearing was 
not requested and one was not held.

Discussion of Regulations

    These regulations are needed to provide for the safety of life 
during the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast 
Offshore Grand Prix, all sponsored by the S.O.R.A. (Suncoast Offshore 
Racing Association). The regulations are intended to promote safe 
navigation on the waters in North Sarasota Bay and on the Gulf of 
Mexico in the vicinity of Sarasota, Florida, by controlling the traffic 
entering, exiting, and traveling within these waters. Historically 
during these races, there have been between 150 and 300 participant and 
spectator craft. There will be approximately between 50 and 100 power 
boats, 21 to 50 feet in length, participating in these races at high 
speeds. The anticipated concentration of spectator and participant 
vessels associated with the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge and Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix poses a safety concern, 
which is addressed in these special local regulations. The Suncoast 
Kilo Run event will be held annually at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, on the 
first Friday of July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge event will be 
held annually at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, on the first Saturday of July. 
The Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix event will be held annually at 11 a.m. 
to 4 p.m. EDT, on the first Sunday of July.
    The special local regulations for the Suncoast Kilo Run will 
establish a ``no wake'' zone in an area between markers #13 
(27 deg.20.82 N, 82 deg.33.78 W, LLNR 48035) and #17 (27 deg.24.5 N, 
82 deg.36.8 W, LLNR 48190) in North Sarasota Bay. All coordinates 
referenced are datum: NAD 83. Spectator craft will be permitted in the 
area but will be required to stay clear of the designated race lanes. 
This race will be held annually on the first Friday of July, between 8 
a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT.
    The special local regulations for the Suncoast Offshore Challenge 
will not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of the 
racecourse out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 
p.m. EDT. Spectator craft will be permitted near the race area but will 
be required to stay clear of the race lanes. Anchoring for spectators 
will be permitted shoreward of the shoreside legs of the racecourse. 
All vessel traffic exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT will 
exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' 
N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100), and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' 
W, LLNR 18105), and will proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of 
the spectator craft until well clear of the race course. All 
coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983. Big Sarasota Pass will be 
closed to all inbound and outbound vessel traffic, other than spectator 
craft, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Saturday 
of July.
    The special regulations for the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix will 
not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of the racecourse 
out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, 
annually on the first Sunday of July. Spectator craft will be permitted 
near the race area but will be required to stay clear of the race 
lanes. Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the 
shoreside legs of the racecourse. All vessel traffic not involved with 
the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix exiting New Pass between 10 a.m. and 4 
p.m. EDT will exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 
(27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 
82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and will proceed in a northerly direction 
shoreward of the spectator craft, taking action to avoid a close-
quarters situation with the spectator craft until finally past

[[Page 32334]]

and clear of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 
1983. Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
EDT, annually on the first Sunday of July.

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 been exempted from review 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 
rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 
10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. 
These regulations will last for only 5 hours on each day of the event. 
No public comments were received during the notice of proposed 
rulemaking comment period.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small 
entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses 
that are not dominant in their field and that otherwise qualify as 
``small business concerns'' under Section 3 of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 632).
    For reasons set forth in the above Regulatory Evaluation, the Coast 
Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605 (b) that this action will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    These regulations contain no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the rulemaking does not have sufficient Federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
rule and has concluded that preparation of an environmental Impact 
Statement is not necessary. An environmental assessment and a finding 
of no significant impact have been prepared and are available in the 
docket for inspection of copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. The 
Coast Guard has concluded that this action would not significantly 
affect the quality of human environment.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recorkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

    Regulations: In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard 
amends Part 100 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 100--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.

    2. A new section Sec. 100.718 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.718  Annual Suncoast Kilo Run; Sarasota Bay, Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established in Sarasota 
Bat with the northwest corner point at Whale Key, position 
27 deg.23'53'' N, 82 deg.37'46'' W, extending to the northeast corner 
point at Bayshore Gardens Channel, position 27 deg.25'11'' N, 
82 deg.35'45'' W, extending to the southeast corner point at Whitaker 
Bayou, position 27 deg.21'22'' N, 82 deg.33'14'' W, and then to the 
southwest corner point at Quick Point, position 27 deg.20'18'' N, 
82 deg.34'36'' W. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (b) Special local regulations.
    (1) In accordance with these regulations, the regulated area is 
designated as a ``no wake'' zone. Spectator craft are permitted into 
the area, but are prohibited from entering the race course areas 
described in (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Inside the ``no wake'' zone are two designated areas 
surrounding the primary and alternate race courses. Primary course 
``A'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point at 
position 27 deg.22'10'' N, 82 deg.36'09'' W, a southeast corner point 
at position 27 deg.21'31'' N, 82 deg.35'37'' W, a southwest corner 
point at position 27 deg.21'27'' N, 82 deg.35'48'' W, and a northwest 
corner point at position 27 deg.22'05'' N, 82 deg.36'16'' W. Alternate 
course ``B'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point 
at position 27 deg.23'11'' N, 82 deg.34'31'' W, a southeast corner 
point at position 27 deg.22'35'' N, 82 deg.34'03'' W, a southwest 
corner point at position 27 deg.22'31'' N, 82 deg.34'08'' W, and a 
northwest corner point at position 27 deg.23'09'' N, 82 deg.34'38'' W. 
All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (3) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
regulation.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 8 a.m. and 
terminates at 1 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Friday of July.
    a. A new section Sec. 100.719 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.719  Annual Suncoast Offshore Challenge; Gulf of Mexico, 
Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line 
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position 
27 deg.18.21' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N, 
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position 
27 deg.14.73'10' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' 
N, 82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.94' N, 82 deg.35.25' 
W, thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to 
position 27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/
finish position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (b) Special local regulations.
    (1) No anchoring will be permitted seaward of the shoreside 
boundaries of the regulated area out to three nautical miles from 
shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, annually on the first Saturday of 
July.
    (2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the 
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
    (3) All vessel traffic, not involved with the Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge, exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT shall exist 
at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall 
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking 
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear 
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
regulation. Spectator vessels shall stay clear of race area at all 
times.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and 
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Saturday of July.

[[Page 32335]]

    2. A new section Sec. 100.720 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.720  Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Gulf of Mexico, 
Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line 
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.18.91' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position 
27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N, 
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position 
27 deg.14.73' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' N, 
82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.93' N, 82 deg.35.25' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to position 
27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/finish 
position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (b) Special local regulations.
    (1) No anchoring will be permitted seaward of the shoreside 
boundaries of the regulated area out to three nautical miles from 
shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the 
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
    (3) All vessel traffic not involved with the Suncoast Offshore 
Grand Prix, exiting New Pass between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT shall exit 
at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall 
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking 
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear 
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
regulation. Spectator craft will stay clear of race area at all times.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and 
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Sunday of July.

    Dated: June 11, 1996.
John W. Lockwood,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-15933 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M