[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6514]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[CGD1-90-202]

 

Anchorage Ground; Boston Harbor, Boston, MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is withdrawing a proposed rule to amend 
existing anchorage ground regulations for Boston Harbor. This 
withdrawal is a result of a comprehensive review of the use of the 
local anchorages in Boston Harbor, recent rules issued, written 
opinions received, and oral comments expressed at a public meeting held 
on December 15, 1993.

DATES: This proposed rulemaking is withdrawn on March 24, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR E.O. Coates at 617-223-3000, or by mail to Commanding Officer, 
USCG Marine Safety Office, 455 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109-
1045. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice withdraws the notice of proposed 
rulemaking to amend existing anchorage ground regulations in 33 CFR 
110.134 for Boston Harbor, published in the Federal Register April 3, 
1992 (57 FR 11455, CGD1-90-202). The original goals of the proposed 
rule were: (1) To assure maximum availability of the limited deepwater 
anchorage area within Boston Harbor for use by deepdraft vessels; (2) 
to enhance safety and to reduce environmental risks associated with the 
carriage and transfer of oil products aboard the ships and barges that 
anchor in Boston Harbor. Several developments since the publication of 
the proposed rule have occurred which make it unnecessary.
    Recent dredging in the Weymouth Fore River has alleviated some of 
the congestion at the President Roads Anchorage. The barges which have 
filled Anchorage No. 1 for the dredging portion of Boston's Third 
Harbor Tunnel construction, will be out of Anchorage No. 1 by the 
summer of 1994 and will free up space for other barge traffic currently 
utilizing the President Roads Anchorage. In addition, the Army Corps of 
Engineers plans to expand the President Roads Anchorage which will 
provide greater access for vessels. The Coast Guard, Army Corps of 
Engineers, Boston Pilots, Massport, and local shipping agents and 
companies, held a meeting on December 15, 1993. They agreed that better 
communication between entities using the President Roads Anchorage 
should solve any potential overcrowding problem at the anchorage. The 
Boston Pilots Association has agreed to act as an information 
clearinghouse for users of the President Roads Anchorage.
    Recent regulations mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) have forced 
operators to improve response capabilities and minimize the impact of 
oil spills. Vessel response plan (58 FR 7376), lightering (58 FR 
48434), and on-board equipment requirements (58 FR 67996) have been 
published in the Federal Register since the publication of this 
proposed rule. They have helped to reduce environmental risks 
associated with the carriage and transfer of oil products aboard the 
ships and barges that anchor in Boston Harbor.
    Finally, the main premise for anchorage regulations is that 
navigation safety is improved and commerce is facilitated. Excluding 
barges from this anchorage has the potential to restrict commerce 
(i.e., the tug and tow industry).
    Nine written comments were received by this office. Six of the nine 
comments strongly opposed the proposed rule due to their view that it 
unduly restricted barges from anchoring in the President Roads 
Anchorage. Two comments received requested the Coast Guard become the 
clearinghouse for information on anchorage activities. One comment 
received requested the Coast Guard provide language in the rule to 
allow for lightering/bunkering operations in Board Sound due to the 
overcrowding at the President Roads Anchorage. Two comments received 
requested increased regulation of watchstanding standards aboard 
vessels at anchorage. Other comments received requested minor 
clarification of the rule, but were not substantive in nature. All 
verbal comments expressed at the meeting held on December 15, 1993, 
reflect the text of this notice and the desire to withdraw the proposed 
rule.
    The Captain of the Port carefully considered all written and verbal 
comments and concluded that safety concerns expressed in the notice of 
proposed rulemaking had been adequately addressed by the present and 
future operating conditions at the President Roads Anchorage and other 
Boston Harbor anchorages. In addition, the information clearinghouse 
sponsored by the Boston Pilots should minimize any overcrowding at the 
President Roads Anchorage.

    For the reasons stated above, the notice of proposed rulemaking, 
CGD1-90-202, is withdrawn.

    Dated: March 7, 1994.
G.W. Abrams,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 94-6514 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M