Document ID: USCG-2023-0156-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zones: Gulf of Mexico, Marathon, FL
Posted Date: 2023-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25281-25283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08816]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0156]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Gulf of Mexico, Marathon, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters in the Gulf of Mexico offshore Marathon, Florida. This 
action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these 
navigable waters of Marathon, FL, during the 2023 Race World Offshore 7 
Mile Grand Prix. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from being in 
the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Key West 
or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective each day from 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. 
on April 29, 2023 and April 30, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0156 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LTjg Hailye Wilson, Sector Key West Waterways Management 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 305-292-8768, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice 
and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because the event organizer for the RWO Grand 
Prix did not provide the Coast Guard with all of the necessary 
information until March 16, 2023. The Coast Guard lacks sufficient time 
to provide for a comment period and then consider those comments before 
issuing the rule since this rule is needed by April 28, 2028. It would 
be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is necessary 
to protect the safety of the public, and vessels transiting the waters 
of the Gulf of Mexico.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the high-speed 
boat race.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Sector Key West (COTP) has determined 
that potential

[[Page 25282]]

hazards associated with the RWO 7 Mile Grand Prix on April 29, 2023, 
and April 30, 2023, will be a safety concern for anyone within the 
regulated area. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and 
the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone 
while the bridge is being repaired.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on 
April 29, 2023, and April 30, 2023. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters of the Gulf of Mexico within the following 
coordinates: Latitude 24[deg]42.348' N, longitude 081[deg]08.377' W, 
thence north offshore to latitude 24[deg]42.979' N, longitude 
081[deg]08.427' W, thence east to latitude 24[deg]43.433' N, longitude 
081[deg]06.012' W, thence south to latitude 24[deg]43.028' N, longitude 
081[deg]05.714' W, thence southwest to latitude 24[deg]42.840' N, 
longitude 081[deg]05.956' W, thence west to latitude 24[deg]42.796' N, 
longitude 081[deg]06.362' W, located within the county of Monroe, FL. 
The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels 
and these navigable waters before, during, and after the race. No 
vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this 
rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone which would 
impact a small, designated area of the Gulf of Mexico offshore Marathon 
for 6.5 hours each day. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue a 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the 
zone.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations 
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section 
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any 
vessel owner or operator.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will not call for a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on 
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and 
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast 
Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this action is one of 
a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves a 
safety zone lasting only 6.5 hours for two days that will prohibit 
entry within a specified area of the Gulf of Mexico offshore of 
Marathon, FL. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-
01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting 
this determination is available in the docket. For instructions on 
locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email the

[[Page 25283]]

person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to 
coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received 
without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places, or 
vessels.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0156 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0156  Safety Zone; Gulf of Mexico, Marathon, FL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within the following coordinates: Latitude 24[deg]42.348' N, 
longitude 081[deg]08.377' W, thence north offshore to latitude 
24[deg]42.979' N, longitude 081[deg]08.427' W, thence east to latitude 
24[deg]43.433' N, longitude 081[deg]06.012' W, thence south to latitude 
24[deg]43.028' N, longitude 081[deg]05.714' W, thence southwest to 
latitude 24[deg]42.840' N, longitude 081[deg]05.956' W, thence west to 
latitude 24[deg]42.796' N, longitude 081[deg]06.362' W, located within 
the county of Monroe, FL. These coordinates are based on North American 
Datum.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, 
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a 
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Key West (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety 
zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by telephone at 305-292-8727. Those in the safety zone 
must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the 
COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced each day from 
10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2023, and April 30, 2023.

    Dated: April 18, 2023.
Jason D. Ingram,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Key West.
[FR Doc. 2023-08816 Filed 4-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P