Document ID: USCG-2014-0922-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zones: Semisubmersible Loading Operation Safety Zone, South San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-10-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63534-63536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25383]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0922]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone: Semisubmersible Loading Operation Safety Zone, South 
San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the 
navigable waters of South San Francisco Bay in support of the 
Semisubmersible Loading Operation taking place between October 14 and 
23, 2014 for a 24-hour period. This safety zone is established to 
ensure the safety of workers, mariners, and other vessels transiting 
the area from the dangers associated with the loading operations. 
Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, 
transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission 
of the Captain of the Port or their designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from 12:01 a.m. to 
11:59 p.m. on October 24, 2014. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from October 14, 2014, until October 24, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
USCG-2014-0922. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Junior Grade Joshua V. Dykman, U.S. Coast 
Guard Sector San Francisco; telephone (415) 399-3585 or email at D11-PF-MarineEvents@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call the Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PATCOM U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Commander
ULCV Ultra Large Container Vessel

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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.'' Notice and comment procedures would be impracticable as the 
Coast Guard received the final information about the date and time of 
the Semisubmersible Loading Operation on October 1, 2014, and the 
operation would occur before the rulemaking process would be completed. 
Because of the dangers posed by this operation, the safety zone is 
necessary to provide for the safety of the workers, mariners, and other 
vessels transiting the area.
    For similar reasons, 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. For the safety 
concerns noted, it is in the public interest to have these regulations 
in effect during the event.

B. Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for the rule is 33 U.S.C 1231; 46 U.S.C Chapter 
701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 
160.5; Public Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast 
Guard to establish safety zones.
    The Port of San Francisco will sponsor the Semisubmersible Loading 
Operation Safety Zone taking place between October 14 and 23, 2014, for 
a 24-hour period, in South San Francisco Bay, CA as depicted in 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Charts 18649 and 
18651. This safety zone establishes a temporary restricted area on the 
waters within 500 feet of the anchored semisubmersible and all support 
vessels engaged in the loading operation at Anchorage 9 in approximate 
position 37[deg]46'09'' N, 122[deg]21'31'' W (NAD83). This restricted 
area around the vessels engaged in the loading operation is necessary 
to provide for the safety of workers, mariners, and other vessels 
transiting the area from the hazards associated with the loading 
operation.

C. Discussion of the Final Rule

    The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone in navigable waters 
around and under the semisubmersible and all support vessels within 500 
feet in South San Francisco Bay during the loading operation taking 
place between October 14 and 23, 2014 for a 24-hour period. Upon the 
conclusion of the loading operation the safety zone shall terminate.
    The effect of the temporary safety zone will be to restrict 
navigation in the vicinity of the loading operation until the 
conclusion of the operation. Except

[[Page 63535]]

for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, 
no person or vessel may enter or remain in the restricted area. These 
regulations are needed to keep vessels away from the vessels engaged in 
the loading operation to ensure the freedom of movement of workers and 
ensure the safety of mariners transiting the area.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on these statutes and executive orders.

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders.
    We expect the economic impact of this rule will not rise to the 
level of necessitating a full Regulatory Evaluation. The safety zone is 
limited in duration, and is limited to a narrowly tailored geographic 
area. In addition, although this rule restricts access to the waters 
encompassed by the safety zone, the effect of this rule will not be 
significant because the local waterway users will be notified via 
public Broadcast Notice to Mariners to ensure the safety zone will 
result in minimum impact. The entities most likely to be affected are 
waterfront facilities, commercial vessels, and pleasure craft engaged 
in recreational activities.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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.
    This rule may affect owners and operators of waterfront facilities, 
commercial vessels, and pleasure craft engaged in recreational 
activities and sightseeing. This safety zone would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
for the following reasons. This safety zone would be activated, and 
thus subject to enforcement, for a limited duration. When the safety 
zone is activated, vessel traffic may coordinate movements around the 
safety zone by contacting PATCOM on VHF channel 16. The maritime public 
will be advised in advance of this safety zone via Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    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 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 
above.
    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.

4. 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).

5. Federalism

    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 determined 
that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the 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.

7. 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.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

10. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and does not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

11. Indian Tribal Governments

    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.

12. Energy Effects

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

13. Technical Standards

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

[[Page 63536]]

14. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)(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 of limited size and 
duration. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An 
environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a 
Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may 
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this 
rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, and 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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3707; 50 
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-
295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T11-670 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T11-670  Safety zone; Semisubmersible Loading Operation 
Safety Zone, South San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA.

    (a) Location. This temporary safety zone is established in the 
navigable waters of South San Francisco Bay within 500 feet of the 
anchored semisubmersible and all support vessels engaged in the loading 
operation at Anchorage 9 in approximate position 37[deg]46'09'' N, 
122[deg]21'31'' W (NAD83).
    (b) Enforcement Period. The zone described in paragraph (a) of this 
section will be enforced for a 24-hour period between October 14 and 
23, 2014. The Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP) will notify the 
maritime community of periods during which this zone will be enforced 
via Broadcast Notice to Mariners in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7.
    (c) Definitions. As used in this section, ``designated 
representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a 
Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer on a Coast Guard 
vessel or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting 
the COTP pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with that agency, to 
assist in the enforcement of the safety zone.
    (d) Regulations. (1) Under the general regulations in 33 CFR Part 
165, Subpart C, entry into, transiting or anchoring within this safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or a designated 
representative.
    (2) The safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the COTP or a designated representative.
    (3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the COTP or a designated representative to obtain 
permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter or 
operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to 
them by the COTP or a designated representative. Persons and vessels 
may request permission to enter the safety zone by contacting the Coast 
Guard Patrol Commander on VHF channel 23A.

    Dated: October 9, 2014.
Gregory G. Stump,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Francisco.
[FR Doc. 2014-25383 Filed 10-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P