Document ID: USCG-2008-1082-0006
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: FR:  Anchorage Regulations: Port of New York (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2011-04-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20524-20530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8827]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[Docket No. USCG-2008-1082]
RIN 1625-AA01

Anchorage Regulations; Port of New York

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is revising Anchorage Ground No. 19 located 
east of the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel on the Hudson River. 
The revision is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide 
safe and secure anchorages for vessels operating in the area. This 
action is intended to increase the safety of life and property of both 
the anchored vessels and those operating in the area as well as to 
provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of commerce.

DATES: This rule is effective May 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
are part of docket USCG-2008-1082 and are available online by going to 
http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2008-1082 in the ``Keyword'' 
box, and then clicking ``Search.'' This material is also available for 
inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
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 e-mail Mr. Jeff Yunker, Coast Guard Sector New York, Waterways 
Management Division; telephone 718-354-4195, e-mail 
Jeff.M.Yunker@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On September 18, 2009, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Anchorage Regulations; Port of New York in the Federal 
Register (74 FR 47906). We received one comment on the NPRM. No public 
meeting was requested and none was held. On April 28, 2010, we 
published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) entitled 
Anchorage Regulations; Port of New York in the Federal Register (75 FR 
22323). We received one comment on the SNPRM. A public meeting was 
requested by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC 
Parks) but the Coast Guard determined a public meeting was not 
necessary in this case. Instead, a meeting with representatives from 
the NYC Parks, Sandy Hook Pilots Association, and U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers New York District was held on August 31, 2010, to discuss 
their comment in relation to commercial

[[Page 20525]]

vessel operations in this area of the Hudson River. The results of the 
meeting are discussed in the Discussion of Comments and Changes 
section.

Basis and Purpose

    The Hudson River Pilots Association, through the Port of New York/
New Jersey Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee, has had 
several discussions with the Coast Guard over the years examining the 
possibility of relocating Anchorage Ground No. 19; two years ago they 
requested that the Coast Guard formally revise the boundaries of 
Anchorage Ground No. 19, which is located on the Hudson River, east of 
the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel and south of the George 
Washington Bridge.
    Due to severe recurring shoaling within the Weehawken-Edgewater 
Federal Channel, the Hudson River Pilots requested and received 
authorization from the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) 
to pilot vessels through the deeper and safer water located within the 
boundaries of Anchorage Ground No. 19.

Background

    Due to shoaling, the March 2007 ACOE survey verified a controlling 
depth of 27 feet in the right outside quarter of the Weehawken-
Edgewater Federal Channel where vessels bound for ports north of New 
York City would have to transit. As published by the ACOE Institute for 
Water Resources, vessels with drafts of up to 34 feet routinely transit 
the Hudson River. In calendar year 2006, there were 6,562 transits on 
the Hudson River between the mouth of the Harlem River and Waterford, 
NY by vessels with a draft of 27 feet or greater. In 2007, the number 
of transits was 4,120. In 2008, there were 120 transits. Vessels with a 
draft of 27 feet or greater would be required to transit through the 
deeper water which is within the current boundaries of Anchorage Ground 
No. 19.
    Anchorage Ground No. 19 is the closest Anchorage Ground available 
for use when there is no space for temporary anchoring within the Upper 
New York Bay Anchorage Grounds. Hence, these vessels transit to 
Anchorage Ground No. 19 to await a berth, or orders, to minimize fuel 
consumption and provide an orderly flow of commerce within the harbor 
and the New England region. Tug and barge traffic within the harbor has 
increased 37% since 1991, concurrently increasing use of the anchorage.
    On October 14, 2008, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port New York 
issued an Advisory Notice notifying the maritime community that, in 
accordance with 33 CFR 110.155(c)(5)(i), vessels would only be allowed 
to anchor on the western boundary of Anchorage Ground No. 19. This 
temporary solution was necessary to facilitate deep draft vessel 
transits through the eastern portion of Anchorage Ground No. 19.
    On September 18, 2009, the Coast Guard published a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled ``Anchorage Regulations; Port of New 
York'' (Docket number USCG-2008-1082) in the Federal Register (74 FR 
47906). The proposal sought to amend Anchorage Ground No. 19 by 
dividing it into two separate anchorages (Anchorage Ground No. 19 East 
and Anchorage Ground No. 19 West), thereby relocating the majority of 
the anchorage area to the western side of the Hudson River.
    The relocation of the anchorage would allow deep draft vessels to 
transit the deeper water without having to transit through the existing 
Anchorage Ground No. 19.
    In that NPRM, it was stated that the ACOE would relocate the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel to the east of its current location 
and the Coast Guard would relocate Anchorage Ground No. 19 to the west 
of its current location.
    After the publication of the NPRM, the ACOE advised the Coast Guard 
that it did not intend to seek Congressional action to de-authorize the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel. However, the ACOE also advised 
that it does not object to the Coast Guard establishing an Anchorage 
Ground in the existing Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel.
    Consequently, to facilitate safe navigation of deep draft vessels, 
the Coast Guard published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(SNPRM) titled ``Anchorage Regulations; Port of New York'' in the 
Federal Register on April 28, 2010 (75 FR 22323) revising its proposal 
to disestablish Anchorage Ground No. 19 and establish two separate 
anchorage grounds, Anchorage Ground No. 19 East and Anchorage Ground 
No. 19 West. This would be accomplished by dividing Anchorage Ground 
No. 19 into an east and a west portion and relocating the majority of 
the anchorage area (new Anchorage Ground No. 19 West) from the eastern 
half of the Hudson River to the western half closer to the New Jersey 
shore (over the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel). The following 
graphics display the current boundary of Anchorage Ground No. 19 and 
the revised boundaries of Anchorage Grounds No. 19 East and No. 19 
West:
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[[Page 20526]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13AP11.000

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13AP11.001

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    Disestablishing Anchorage Ground No. 19 and establishing Anchorage 
Ground No. 19 East and Anchorage Ground No. 19 West creates a 400 yard 
wide area of deeper water between the newly established anchorage 
grounds. This change allows deep draft vessels to transit the deeper 
water of the Hudson River without having to transit through an existing 
anchorage ground.
    The Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel is authorized by Congress, 
and constructed and maintained by the ACOE. The ACOE has advised the 
Coast Guard that no portion of the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel 
will be relocated in conjunction with the reapportionment, relocation 
and establishment of Anchorage Ground No. 19 East and West. The ACOE 
has further advised that establishment of an anchorage ground in the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel is not expected to impede 
navigation or result in a need to maintain channel depth because the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel currently supports no commercial 
vessel traffic.
    According to the ACOE the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel was 
originally intended to support commercial vessel traffic on the New 
Jersey waterfront in the vicinity of the Channel. However, due to 
changes in shoreline usage from industrial to residential and 
recreational, the original intent of the Channel no longer exists. As a 
result there has not been a need to dredge the Weehawken-Edgewater 
Federal Channel segment to its authorized depth since it was last 
dredged in 1994.
    The ACOE further advised that it does not appear likely that a need 
will arise in the foreseeable future to maintain the channel for 
commercial vessel traffic intending to access New Jersey waterfront and 
shore facilities. However, should a need recur in the future to 
accommodate commercial traffic, the use of the areas as anchorage 
grounds would be re-evaluated.
    In the interest of safe navigation and to minimize confusion, the 
ACOE and the USCG will request that the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) remove the Weehawken-Edgewater 
Federal Channel designation from NOAA charts. In addition, the Coast 
Guard will request chart corrections removing the Anchorage Ground No. 
19 boundary line designation and adding the boundary lines for the 
revised Anchorage Ground No. 19 East and Anchorage Ground No. 19 West.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    The Coast Guard received one comment on the NPRM from the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (ACOE). In that NPRM, the Coast Guard stated that 
the ACOE would relocate the Weehawken-Edgewater Channel to the east of 
its current location and the Coast Guard would relocate Anchorage

[[Page 20528]]

Ground No. 19 to the west of its current location.
    After the publication of the NPRM, the ACOE advised the Coast Guard 
that it did not intend to seek Congressional action to de-authorize the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Channel. However, the ACOE also advised that it did 
not object to the Coast Guard establishing an Anchorage Ground in the 
existing Weehawken-Edgewater Channel.
    Consequently, the Coast Guard revised its proposal and published a 
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) seeking to 
disestablish Anchorage Ground No. 19 and establish two separate 
anchorage grounds, Anchorage Ground No. 19 East and Anchorage Ground 
No. 19 West.
    The Coast Guard received one comment on the SNPRM from the New York 
City Parks and Recreation Department (NYC Parks).
    NYC Parks requested clarification that this rulemaking would not 
impact their recreational mooring fields along the Manhattan shoreline 
north and south of the 79th Street Boat Basin. NYC Parks is still 
authorized to administer the mooring fields along the Manhattan 
shoreline; therefore, the use of these mooring fields will not be 
affected by this rule. In addition, the Coast Guard will submit chart 
corrections to be published to identify these mooring fields on 
government navigation charts.
    NYC Parks further requested that the two mooring fields be 
designated as special anchorage areas as part of the current rule. The 
Coast Guard is currently reviewing NYC Parks' request to designate the 
two mooring fields as special anchorage areas; however any designation 
of the two mooring fields as special anchorage areas would be done as 
part of a separate rulemaking process.
    NYC Parks requested clarification that this rulemaking would 
potentially eliminate 452 acres of open vessel anchorage area and 
eliminate the mooring fields north and south of the 79th Street Boat 
Basin. As stated above the use of the NYC Parks mooring fields will not 
be affected by this rule. The 452 acres of Anchorage Ground No. 19 
being disestablished were intended for the use of commercial shipping 
and not recreational vessels that use the 79th Street Boat Basin and 
mooring fields along the Manhattan shoreline.
    NYC Parks commented that this rulemaking would potentially 
jeopardize their ability to fund and service the marina due to the 
removal of their mooring fields. This rulemaking will not potentially 
jeopardize NYC Parks' ability to fund and service the marina due to the 
removal of the mooring fields because the mooring fields are not being 
removed or impacted in any way.
    NYC Parks commented that Riverside Park concessions would be 
negatively impacted, and Riverside Park itself would lose one of its 
engaging and popular features. Riverside Park will not be impacted by 
this rulemaking as NYC Parks is still authorized to administer their 
mooring fields. Marine events and recreational boating usage will 
continue to be administered on a not to interfere basis with commercial 
shipping and Tugs/Barges as stated below.
    NYC Parks requested that these rules be revised to protect the 
right of recreational boaters to use these waters and that the mooring 
fields be designated as Special Anchorage Areas for these purposes. NYC 
Parks is still authorized to administer their two mooring fields along 
the Manhattan shoreline, north and south of the 79th Street Boat Basin. 
Chart corrections will be submitted by the Coast Guard to display these 
mooring fields on the navigation charts. In addition, the USCG is 
reviewing NYC Parks request to establish two Special Anchorage Areas 
north and south of the 79th Street Boat Basin.
    NYC Parks commented that the transit of commercial tugs and barges 
in closer proximity to the 70-year-old boat basin and mooring fields 
would exacerbate the damages and impacts caused by large wakes of 
passing vessels on the Hudson River. At the meeting held with NYC Parks 
on August 13, 2010, the Sandy Hook Pilots representative stated that 
they have been piloting vessels along the current route, east of the 
Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel, through Anchorage Ground No. 19, 
on a continual basis since before the 1970s. In addition, tugs and 
barges have always been authorized to transit through Anchorage Ground 
No. 19, whether to anchor in a position near the 79th Street Boat 
Basin, or to continue their transit through the Hudson River. Since 
under this rule tugs and barges will be anchoring further away from the 
79th Street Boat Basin and deep draft transits through the area are 
down from previous years, as noted by the ACOE Institute for Water 
Resources, the Coast Guard believes that this rule will alleviate 
impacts from wakes on the boat basin and mooring field.
    NYC Parks commented that this revision may seriously impact 
established marine events and a growing number of recreational users in 
the area. As previously stated the Sandy Hook Pilots have been using 
this transit route through the current Anchorage Ground No. 19 since 
before the 1970s. Additionally, the area was always available for use 
as an Anchorage Ground by vessels not constrained by draft. Marine 
Event permits have been issued for events held in the Anchorage Ground 
as long as the participants abided by the Inland Navigation Rules and 
did not interfere with commercial navigation within the Anchorage 
Ground.
    As previously stated Anchorage Ground No. 19 was established over 
20 years prior to the 79th Street Boat Basin and mooring fields. Due to 
the fluctuation of commercial vessel traffic on the Hudson River, and 
based upon changing economic conditions, demand for home heating oil, 
etc, the USCG may not always be able to approve marine event 
applications in this area of the Hudson River regardless of the 
Anchorage Ground configuration.
    NYC Parks requested a public meeting be held. A public meeting was 
not held since the written comments clearly expressed the views of the 
commenter and oral presentations would not aid the rulemaking process.
    Finally, this rule intends to reflect and formalize past and 
current vessel navigation practices through the waters within Anchorage 
Ground No. 19.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    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, and does not require an 
assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of 
that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it 
under that Order.
    We expect minimal additional cost impacts to the industry because 
this rule is not imposing fees, permits, or specialized requirements 
for the maritime industry to utilize these anchorage areas. This rule 
is revising the Anchorage Ground No. 19 in order to facilitate safe 
navigation and provide safe and secure anchorages for vessels operating 
in the area. This revision would allow deep draft vessels to transit 
the deeper water without having to transit through an anchorage ground. 
This would improve safety for small vessels using the anchorage grounds 
and would facilitate the transit of deep draft vessels.

[[Page 20529]]

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. 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 will affect the following entities, some of which 
might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending 
to transit through the Anchorage Grounds 19 East and 19 West. Vessels 
intending to anchor in the current Anchorage Ground No. 19 will still 
be able to anchor in the revised Anchorage Ground No. 19 East or No. 19 
West. NYC Parks will still be authorized to administer recreational 
mooring fields located along the Manhattan shoreline, north and south 
of the 79th Street Boat Basin. The labeling of these mooring fields on 
Government navigation charts will create a positive impact in the area 
by increasing awareness of the location of smaller recreational 
vessels. Additionally, the recreational vessels will no longer have to 
maneuver around larger anchored vessels when entering, or departing, 
the 79th Street Boat Basin or mooring fields.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), in the NPRM we offered to 
assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could 
better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking 
process.
    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.

Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under 
that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for 
federalism.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

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 concluded 
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 is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(f), of 
the Instruction as this rule involves changing the size of an existing 
anchorage ground and dividing it into two separate anchorage areas 
resulting in a reduction in the overall size of the anchorage areas. An 
environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion 
determination are available in

[[Page 20530]]

the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is 
amending 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110--ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2030, 2035, 2071; 
33 CFR 1.05-1; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Amend Sec.  110.155, by revising paragraph (c)(5) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  110.155  Port of New York.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) Anchorages No. 19 East and 19 West.
    (i) Anchorage No. 19 East. All waters of the Hudson River bound by 
the following points: 40[deg]49'42.6'' N, 073[deg]57'14.7'' W; thence 
to 40[deg]49'45.9'' N, 073[deg]57'22.0'' W; thence to 40[deg]49'52.0'' 
N, 073[deg]57'22.0'' W; thence to 40[deg]50'08.3'' N, 073[deg]57'10.8'' 
W; thence to 40[deg]50'55.4'' N, 073[deg]56'59.7'' W; thence to 
40[deg]51'02.5'' N, 073[deg]56'57.4'' W; thence to 40[deg]51'00.8'' N, 
073[deg]56'49.4'' W; thence along the shoreline to the point of origin.
    (ii) Anchorage No. 19 West. All waters of the Hudson River bound by 
the following points: 40[deg]46'56.3'' N, 073[deg]59'42.2'' W; thence 
to 40[deg]47'36.9'' N, 073[deg]59'11.7'' W; thence to 40[deg]49'31.3'' 
N, 073[deg]57'43.8'' W; thence to 40[deg]49'40.2'' N, 073[deg]57'37.6'' 
W; thence to 40[deg]49'52.4'' N, 073[deg]57'37.6'' W; thence to 
40[deg]49'57.7'' N, 073[deg]57'47.3'' W; thence to 40[deg]49'32.2'' N, 
073[deg]58'12.9'' W; thence to 40[deg]49'00.7'' N, 073[deg]58'33.1'' W; 
thence to 40[deg]48'28.7'' N, 073[deg]58'53.8'' W; thence to 
40[deg]47'38.2'' N, 073[deg]59'31.2'' W; thence to 40[deg]47'02.7'' N, 
073[deg]59'57.4'' W; thence to the point of origin.
    (iii) The following regulations apply to 33 CFR 110.155(c)(5)(i) 
and (ii):
    (A) No vessel may conduct lightering operations in these anchorage 
grounds without permission from the Captain of the Port. When 
lightering is authorized, the Captain of the Port New York must be 
notified at least four hours in advance of a vessel conducting 
lightering operations as required by 156.118 of this title.
    (B) Any vessel conducting lightering or bunkering operations shall 
display by day a red flag (46 CFR 35.30-1; Pub 102; International Code 
of Signals signaling instructions) at its mast head or at least 10 feet 
above the upper deck if the vessel has no mast, and by night the flag 
must be illuminated by spotlight. These signals shall be in addition to 
day signals, lights and whistle signals as required by rules 30 (33 
U.S.C 2030 and 33 CFR 83.30) and 35 (33 USC 2035 and 33 CFR 83.35) of 
the Inland Navigation Rules when at anchor in a general anchorage area.
    (C) Within an anchorage, fishing and navigation are prohibited 
within 500 yards of an anchored vessel displaying a red flag.
    (D) These anchorage grounds are only authorized for use by tugs 
and/or barges.
    (E) No vessel may occupy this anchorage ground for a period of time 
in excess of 96 hours without prior approval of the Captain of the 
Port.
    (F) No vessel may anchor in Anchorage No. 19 East or No. 19 West 
without permission from the Captain of the Port.
    (G) Each vessel shall report its position within Anchorage No. 19 
East or No. 19 West to the Captain of the Port immediately after 
anchoring.
    (H) All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
* * * * *

    Dated: March 28, 2011.
Daniel A. Neptun,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-8827 Filed 4-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P