Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/07/25/2014-17444/special-local-regulations-for-marine-events-and-safety-zone-patapsco-river-baltimore-md
Timestamp: 2018-07-17 12:43:13
Document Index: 613044875

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 100', 'art 165', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165']

Federal Register :: Special Local Regulations for Marine Events and Safety Zone, Patapsco River; Baltimore, MD
Special Local Regulations for Marine Events and Safety Zone, Patapsco River; Baltimore, MD
A Proposed Rule by the Coast Guard on 07/25/2014
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before August 25, 2014.
79 FR 43327
43327-43332 (6 pages)
Docket Number USCG-2014-0541
2014-17444
USCG-2014-0541
SPECIAL LOCAL REGULATIONS FOR MARINE EVENTS AND SAFETY ZONE,...
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-17444 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-17444
The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary regulations in certain waters of the Patapsco River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters before, during, and after the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks scheduled as part of War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorations activities at Baltimore, Maryland during September 6-16, 2014. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Patapsco River, including the Northwest Harbor and Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online at http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a Start Printed Page 43328comment online, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number [USCG-2014-0541] in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on “Submit a Comment” on the line associated with this rulemaking.
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number (USCG-2014-0138) 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.
This rule involves a fireworks display associated with a televised event that will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 13, 2014 and will attract thousands of spectators. The launch sites for the fireworks display are from discharge barges located in the Patapsco River. The permanent safety zones listed in the Table to 33 CFR 165.506 do not apply to this event.
This rule also involves designated on-water spectator areas associated with the fireworks display. The current regulations under 33 CFR part 100 address safety for reoccurring marine events. This marine event does not appear in the current regulations; however, as it is a regulation to provide effective control over regattas and marine parades on the navigable waters of the United States so as to insure safety of life in the regatta or marine parade area, this marine event therefore needs to be temporarily added.
The legal basis for the rule is the Coast Guard's authority to establish special local regulations: 33 U.S.C. 1233. The purpose of the rule is to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United States for designated on-water spectator areas established in support of the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks event.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts, of Baltimore, MD, will sponsor a large fireworks display launched from barges located at seven locations in the Patapsco River at Baltimore, Maryland, scheduled on September 13, 2014 at 9 p.m. A rehearsal of the fireworks show is planned on September 12, 2014 at 9 p.m. If necessary due to inclement weather, the event will be held on September 14, 2014.
Through this regulation, the Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone. The safety zone will encompass all waters of the Patapsco River, as follows: (1) Within a 150 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°17′03″ N, longitude 076°36′36″ W, located southeast of Pier 1 Inner Harbor at Baltimore, Maryland; (2) within a 300 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′55″ N, longitude 076°36′17″ W, located southwest of Pier 6 Inner Harbor at Baltimore, Maryland; (3) within a 600 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′38″ N, longitude 076°35′55″ W, located northwest of the Domino Sugar (ASR Group) refinery wharf at Baltimore, Maryland; (4) within a 500 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′42″ N, longitude 076°35′30″ W, located south of the Fells Point Recreation Pier at Baltimore, Maryland; (5) within a 500 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′28″ N, longitude 076°34′59″ W, located north of the North Locust Point Marine Terminal at Baltimore, Maryland; (6) within a 600 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′15″ N, longitude 076°34′38″ W, located south of the Northwest Harbor Turning Basin at Baltimore, Maryland; and (7) within a 800 foot radius of each of the fireworks discharge barges arranged in a line between approximate position latitude 39°15′47″ N, longitude 076°34′30″ W, and approximate position latitude 39°15′40″ N, longitude 076°34′37″ W, located along the Northwest Harbor (East Channel) at Baltimore, Maryland. The temporary safety zone will be enforced from 7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. on September 12, 2014, and from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 13, 2014, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014. The effect of this safety zone will be to restrict navigation in the regulated area during, as well as the set up and take down of, the fireworks display.
This rule requires that entry into or remaining in this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. All vessels underway within this safety zone at the time it is implemented are to depart the zone. To Start Printed Page 43329seek permission to transit the area of the safety zone, the Captain of the Port Baltimore can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Coast Guard vessels enforcing the safety zone can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Federal, state, and local agencies may assist the Coast Guard in the enforcement of the safety zone. The Coast Guard will issue notices to the maritime community to further publicize the safety zone and notify the public of changes in the status of the zone. Such notices will continue until the event is complete.
The Coast Guard also proposes to establish special local regulations on specified waters of the Patapsco River by which spectator vessels may observe the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks on September 13, 2014. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of participants and spectators immediately prior to, during, and following the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks. The regulations will be enforced from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 13, 2014, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014. The proposed regulated area extends across the entire width of the waterway and will encompass all waters of the Patapsco River, bounded on the east by a line drawn from position latitude 39°15′42″ N, longitude 076°34′48″ W, thence to position latitude 39°15′29″ N, longitude 076°34′34″ W, thence to position latitude 39°15′36″ N, longitude 076°34′12″ W, and bounded on the west by the Inner Harbor western bulkhead, located at Baltimore, MD. Designated spectator areas and an event area exist within this regulated area. Three designated spectator areas, where all vessels are prohibited from transiting in excess of wake speed unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative and persons and vessels may enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within, include: (a) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′40″ N, longitude 076°35′10″ W, thence northeasterly to latitude 39°16′45″ N, longitude 076°35′04″ W, thence southeasterly to latitude 39°16′41″ N, longitude 076°34′57″ W, thence northeasterly to latitude 39°16′45″ N, longitude 076°34′50″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′38″ N, longitude 076°34′50″ W, thence southwesterly to latitude 39°16′34″ N, longitude 076°34′55″ W, thence northwesterly to the position of origin. This spectator area is to be used by commercial vessels only; (b) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′27″ N, longitude 076°34′41″ W, thence northerly to latitude 39°16′37″ N, longitude 076°34′37″ W, thence easterly to latitude 39°16′35″ N, longitude 076°34′16″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′18″ N, longitude 076°34′21″ W, thence westerly to the position of origin. This spectator area is to be used by recreational vessels only; and (c) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′53″ N, longitude 076°36′10″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′49″ N, longitude 076°36′17″ W, thence easterly to latitude 39°16′35″ N, longitude 076°36′04″ W, thence northerly to latitude 39°16′48″ N, longitude 076°36′02″ W, thence westerly to the position of origin. This spectator area is to be used by both commercial and recreational vessels. The event area, where all persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels participating in the event, are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within, includes all waters of the Patapsco River, within the regulated area, excluding the designated spectator areas.
The effect of this proposed rule will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area during the event. Vessels intending to transit the Patapsco River through the regulated area will be allowed to safely transit the regulated area only when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander has deemed it safe to do so. The Coast Guard will restrict vessel traffic in the event area to provide for the safety of participants, spectators and other transiting vessels. The Coast Guard will provide notice of the special local regulations by Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and the official patrol on scene.
The regulations contained within this proposed rule are not intended to effect existing Naval Vessel Protection Zone regulations described in Title 33 CFR Part 165 (Subpart G).
The economic impact of this rule is not significant for the following reasons: The primary impact of these regulations will be on vessels wishing to transit the affected waterways during activities associated with the Star-Spangled Spectacular fireworks display beginning on September 12, 2014 and ending on September 14, 2014. Although these regulations prevent traffic from transiting a portion of the Patapsco River during this event, that restriction is limited in duration, affects only a limited area, and will be well publicized to allow mariners to make alternative plans for transiting the affected area. Moreover, the magnitude of the event itself will severely hamper or prevent transit of the waterway, even absent these regulations designed to ensure it is conducted in a safe and orderly fashion.
This rule may affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within that portion of the Patapsco River encompassed within the special local regulations from 7:30 p.m. on September 13, 2014 to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014 and encompassed within the safety zone from 7 p.m. on September 12, 2014 to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014. For the reasons discussed in the Regulatory Planning and Review section above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it.Start Printed Page 43330
This proposed rule involves special local regulations issued in conjunction with a regatta or marine parade. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(h) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
Additionally, this proposed rule involves establishing a temporary safety zone for a fireworks display. The fireworks are launched from navigable waters of the United States and may have potential for negative impact on the safety or other interest of waterway users and near shore activities in the event area. The activity includes fireworks launched from barges near the shoreline that generally rely on the use of navigable waters as a safety buffer to protect the public from fireworks fallouts and premature detonations. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
2. Add a temporary section, § 100.35-T05-0541 to read as follows:
§ 100.35-T05-0541
Special Local Regulations for Marine Events, Patapsco River; Baltimore, MD.
(a) Regulated areas. The following regulated areas are established as special local regulations. All Start Printed Page 43331coordinates are North American Datum 1983.
(1) Regulated area. The following location is a regulated area: All waters of the Patapsco River, bounded on the east by a line drawn from position latitude 39°15′42″ N, longitude 076°34′48″ W, thence to position latitude 39°15′29″ N, longitude 076°34′34″ W, thence to position latitude 39°15′36″ N, longitude 076°34′12″ W, and bounded on the west by the Inner Harbor's western bulkhead, located at Baltimore, MD.
(2) Designated spectator areas. The following locations are spectator areas within the regulated area:
(i) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′40″ N, longitude 076°35′10″ W, thence northeasterly to latitude 39°16′45″ N, longitude 076°35′04″ W, thence southeasterly to latitude 39°16′41″ N, longitude 076°34′57″ W, thence northeasterly to latitude 39°16′45″ N, longitude 076°34′50″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′38″ N, longitude 076°34′50″ W, thence southwesterly to latitude 39°16′34″ N, longitude 076°34′55″ W, thence northwesterly to the position of origin.
(ii) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′27″ N, longitude 076°34′41″ W, thence northerly to latitude 39°16′37″ N, longitude 076°34′37″ W, thence easterly to latitude 39°16′35″ N, longitude 076°34′16″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′18″ N, longitude 076°34′21″ W, thence westerly to the position of origin.
(iii) All waters of the Patapsco River, within lines connecting the following positions: From latitude 39°16′53″ N, longitude 076°36′10″ W, thence southerly to latitude 39°16′49″ N, longitude 076°36′17″ W, thence easterly to latitude 39°16′35″ N, longitude 076°36′04″ W, thence northerly to latitude 39°16′48″ N, longitude 076°36′02″ W, thence westerly to the position of origin.
(3) Event area. All waters of the Patapsco River, within the regulated area, excluding the designated spectator areas as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(3) Participant means all persons and vessels participating in the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks event under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.
(2) The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may terminate the event, or the operation of any participant in the event, at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or property. The Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the regulated area by other Federal, State, and local agencies.
(4) Only participants and official patrol are allowed to enter the event area as described in Paragraph a(3) of this section.
(5) Spectators are allowed inside the regulated area only if they remain within the designated spectator area. Recreational vessels spectators will be permitted to anchor only within the designated spectator areas described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(iii) of this section. Commercial vessels spectators will be permitted to anchor only within the designated spectator areas described in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of this section. No vessel may anchor within the regulated area outside the designated spectator areas. Spectators may contact the Coast Guard Patrol Commander to request permission to pass through the regulated area. If permission is granted, spectators shall comply with the directions given and must pass directly through the regulated area, outside the event area, at a safe speed and without loitering.
(d) Enforcement period: This section will be enforced from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 13, 2014, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014.
4. Add temporary § 165.T05-0541 to read as follows:
§ 165.T05-0541
Safety Zone, Patapsco River; Baltimore, MD.
(a) Location. The following areas are a safety zone:
(1) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 150 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°17′03″ N, longitude 076°36′36″ W, located southeast of Pier 1 Inner Harbor at Baltimore, Maryland;
(2) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 300 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′55″ N, longitude 076°36′17″ W, located southwest of Pier 6 Inner Harbor at Baltimore, Maryland;
(3) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 600 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′38″ N, longitude 076°35′55″ W, located northwest of the Domino Sugar (ASR Group) refinery wharf at Baltimore, Maryland;
(4) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 500 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′42″ N, longitude 076°35′30″ W, located south of the Fells Point Recreation Pier at Baltimore, Maryland;
(5) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 500 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′28″ N, longitude 076°34′59″ W, located north of the North Locust Point Marine Terminal at Baltimore, Maryland;
(6) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 600 foot radius of a fireworks discharge barge in approximate position latitude 39°16′15″ N, longitude 076°34′38″ W, located south of the Northwest Harbor Turning Basin at Baltimore, Maryland; and
(7) All waters of the Patapsco River, within a 800 foot radius of each of the fireworks discharge barges arranged in a line between approximate position latitude 39°15′47″ N, longitude Start Printed Page 43332076°34′30″ W, and approximate position latitude 39°15′40″ N, longitude 076°34′37″ W, located in the Northwest Harbor (East Channel) at Baltimore, Maryland. All coordinates refer to datum NAD 1983.
(b) Regulations. The general safety zone regulations found in 33 CFR 165.23 apply to the safety zone created by this temporary section, § 165.T05-0541.
(2) Entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative.
(3) Persons desiring to transit the area of the safety zone must first obtain authorization from the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, or other Federal, State, or local agency vessel, by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone.
(1) From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on September 12, 2014, and
(2) From 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 13, 2014, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 14, 2014.
K. C. Kiefer,
[FR Doc. 2014-17444 Filed 7-24-14; 8:45 am]