Document ID: USCG-2015-0189-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: TFR:  Safety Zones: Vessel Fire and Escort, Port of New York, NJ, NY (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2015-03-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16281-16283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07139]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2015-0189]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Vessel Fire and Escort, Port of New York, NJ, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of the Port of New York for the transit of the M/V 
GREY SHARK. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life 
on navigable waters during the transit of the vessel in distress due to 
a shipboard fire and ongoing damage control operations. Entering into, 
transiting through, remaining, anchoring or mooring within this safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) 
New York.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from March 27, 2015 
until April 1, 2015. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from the date the rule was signed, March 18, 2015 until 
April 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
[USCG-2015-0189]. 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, 
contact LT Douglas Neumann, Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard 
Sector New York, (718) 354-4154, Douglas.W.Neumann@uscg.mil. If you 
have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call 
Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register

[[Page 16282]]

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

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.'' 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 safety zone is required for an 
emergency response to escort the vessel into port after a shipboard 
fire, for which the Coast Guard had no advance notice. Therefore 
publishing an NPRM and taking public comments prior to issuing a rule 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
    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 same reasons discussed in 
the preceding paragraph, delaying the effective date of this rule would 
be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

B. Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for this temporary 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, and 160.5; Public Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which 
collectively authorize the Coast Guard to define regulatory safety 
zones.
    On March 17, 2015 U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York was made aware 
that the M/V Grey Shark intended to enter the Port of New York after 
suffering a shipboard fire and encountering rough weather. The M/V Grey 
Shark was placed under tow and escorted by the Coast Guard Cutter 
Seneca to Gravesend Bay Anchorage at the mouth of the Port of New York 
until the vessel proceeds to its final destination to safely mitigate 
the fire and ongoing damage control operations. After examination of 
the facts by Coast Guard personnel, it was determined by the Captain of 
the Port (COTP), Sector New York, that Coast Guard emergency response 
was necessary to protect the public and environment from a potential 
hazard to navigation.

C. Discussion of the Temporary Final Rule

    For the reasons discussed above, the COTP is establishing a 
temporary safety zone of 150 yards around the M/V Grey Shark as the 
vessel proceeds to its final destination to safely mitigate the fire 
and ongoing damage control operations. No vessel may enter, transit, 
moor, or anchor within safety zone during the period of enforcement 
unless authorized by the COTP or designated representative. The COTP 
will cause public notifications to be made by all appropriate means 
including but not limited to Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

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.
    The Coast Guard determined that this rule is not a significant 
regulatory action for the following reasons: The safety zone will be 
relatively short in duration and covers only a small portion of the 
navigable waterways. Furthermore, vessels may transit the navigable 
waterway outside of the safety zone. Moreover, vessels desiring entry 
into the safety zone may be authorized to do so by the COTP or a COTP's 
designated representative. Advanced public notifications will also be 
made to the local maritime community by Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

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. 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.
    This rule would affect the following entities, some of which might 
be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in Gravesend Bay Anchorage.
    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 period of time. Vessel traffic could pass safely around the 
safety zone.

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.

[[Page 16283]]

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 
INTFORMATION 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.

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 the establishment of a safety zone. 
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, 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, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; and Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0189 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T01-0189  Safety Zone; M/V Grey Shark, New York Harbor.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: 150 yards from 
the M/V Grey Shark.
    (b) Effective and enforcement period. This rule will be effective 
and enforced from 7:00 p.m. on March 17, 2015 to 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 
2015.
    (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section: A 
``designated representative'' is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who has been designated by the 
COTP, Sector New York, to act on his behalf. The designated 
representative may be on an official patrol vessel or may be on shore 
and will communicate with vessels via VHF-FM radio or loudhailer. 
``Official patrol vessels'' may consist of any Coast Guard, Coast Guard 
Auxiliary, state, or local law enforcement vessels assigned or approved 
by the COTP Sector New York. In addition, members of the Coast Guard 
Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel operators of this regulation.
    (d) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 
165.23 apply.
    (2) In accordance with the general regulations in 33 CFR 165.23, 
entry into or movement within this zone is prohibited unless authorized 
by the Captain of the Port, New York
    (3) Operators of vessels desiring to enter or operate within the 
safety zone should contact the Sector New York Vessel Traffic Center 
via VHF channel 16 to obtain permission to do so.
    (4) Any vessel given permission to enter or operate in the safety 
zone must comply with all directions given to them by the COTP Sector 
New York or a designated on-scene representative.
    (5) Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, 
flashing light or other means, the operator of the vessel shall proceed 
as directed.

    Dated: March 18, 2015.
G. Loebl,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2015-07139 Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P