Federal Register, Volume 60 Issue 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 1995)

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28326-28333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13268]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 26, 161, 162, and 165

[CGD 95-033]
RIN 2115-AF12

National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending its Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
regulations to clarify certain sections and correct inaccurate
geographic information. In addition, the final rule is deleting certain
sections and adding existing vessel traffic management information
which was inadvertently omitted in a separate final rule published in
the Federal Register (59 FR 36316) on July 15, 1994. This rule is
intended to promote safe vessel movement by reducing the potential for
collisions, rammings, and groundings and their attendant loss of lives,
property and environmental harm.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on May 31, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this
preamble are available for inspection or copying at the office of the
Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-LRA/3406), U.S. Coast
Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., room 3406, Washington, DC
20593-0001 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Irene Hoffman, Project Manager, Vessel Traffic Services Division
(G-NVT), at (202) 267-6277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Ms.
Irene Hoffman, Project Manager, and CDR Thomas Cahill, Project Counsel,
Office of Chief Counsel.

Regulatory History

On August 1, 1991, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``National Vessel Traffic Services
Regulations'' in the Federal Register (58 FR 36910). On July 15, 1994,
the Coast Guard published the final rule in the Federal Register (59 FR
36316).

Background and Purpose

Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, as amended by the
Port and Tanker Safety Act (PTSA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90),
the Secretary of Transportation may construct, operate, maintain,
improve, or expand VTSs in any port or place under the jurisdiction of
the United States, including the navigable waters of the United States,
or in any area covered by an international agreement negotiated under
33 U.S.C. 1230. The Act requires certain vessels which operate in a VTS
area to use and comply with the VTS.
In response to this mandate, the final rule published on July 15,
1994, amended the VTS regulations to make participation in all VTSs
mandatory. This rule also simplified existing VTS regulations by
amending 33 CFR part 161 to incorporate: (1) Standard national vessel
traffic management rules applicable to all VTSs; (2) vessel movement
reporting requirements for [[Page 28327]] certain vessels operating in
the VTS areas; and (3) geographic descriptions and local regulations
pertaining to specific VTS areas. Additionally, the rule redesignated
other regulations, not unique to VTS operations, into more appropriate
parts within Title 33.

Discussion of Changes

The National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations contain inaccurate
latitudes, longitudes, geographic location descriptions, VTS area
descriptions, and administrative omissions in tables 26.03(f)
(Radiotelephone Required), 161.12(b) (Vessel Operating Requirements),
161.35(b) (Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston), 161.35(c) (Vessel
Traffic Service Houston/Galveston), 161.45(b) (Vessel Traffic Service
St. Marys River), 161.60(d) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince William
Sound), 165.811(e) (Atchafalaya River, Berwick Bay, LA--regulated
navigation area) and Sec. 161.50 (Vessel Traffic Service San
Francisco). These inaccuracies and omissions are being addressed in
this rule.
Minor editorial changes have been made to Secs. 26.04 (Use of the
designated frequency), 26.07 (Communications), 162.117(g) (St. Marys
River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan), 165.811(f) (Atchafalaya River,
Berwick Bay, LA--regulated navigation area), and tables 161.40(c)
(Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay) and 162.117(g) (St. Marys River,
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan).
Sections 161.60 (c)(2) and (c)(3) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince
William Sound), are being rewritten in order to clarify intent and
Secs. 161.60(c)(4) (Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound).
Sections 165.1704(c)(4) (Prince William Sound, Alaska--regulated
navigation area) is being deleted and sections 165.1704(c)(5), (c)(6),
and (c)(7) are being redesignated.
On April 19, 1994 the Coast Guard published an interim final rule
in the Federal Register (59 FR 18486) establishing a Regulated
Navigation Area at the Oliver Lock and Dam at MM 338 of the Black
Warrior River. That rule was codified at 33 CFR 165.809. Due to a
change in conditions on the Black Warrior River that Regulated
Navigation Area is no longer necessary and has been rescinded. In the
final rule, ``National Vessel Traffic Services Regulations'', published
July 15, 1994, 33 CFR 165.809 set forth a Purpose and Applicability
section for vessel operating rules contained in Sec. 165.810. Those
vessel operating rules were previously contained in 33 CFR 161.402. For
ease of use, this rule combines both Secs. 165.809 and 165.810 in
Sec. 165.810.
Additionally, the final rule published on July 15, 1994
inadvertently omitted a vessel traffic management information section
which was previously included in the NPRM published on August 1, 1991.
Section 162.117(c) (St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) is
being added.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f)
of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under that
order. It is not significant under the Regulatory Policies and
Procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040;
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this
proposal to be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation is
unnecessary.

Regulatory Justification

This rule corrects geographic and editorial inaccuracies and adds
material included in the NPRM but inadvertently omitted in the Final
Rule. Therefore, the Coast Guard finds under 5 U.S.C. 553 (c) and (d)
that good cause exists to publish this as a final rule, effective upon
publication, without notice and opportunity to comment.

Small Entities

This rule only makes editorial changes and minor additions to
existing vessel traffic management regulations. Therefore, the Coast
Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

This rule contains no collection-of-information requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that
this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. These VTS operating
procedures are a matter for which regulations should be developed on
the national level, to avoid unreasonably burdensome variances and
confusion in applicability and operating requirements. These
regulations which provide uniform VTS operating requirements preempt
States from adopting similar requirements.

Environment

The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this final
rule and concluded that under section 2.B.2. of Commandant Instruction
M16475.1B, this final rule is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. While the Coast Guard recognizes that this
rule will have a positive effect on the environment by minimizing the
risk of environmental harm resulting from collisions, groundings, and
rammings, the impact is not expected to be significant enough to
warrant further documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is
available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects

33 CFR Part 26

Communications equipment, Navigation (water), Marine safety, Radio,
Telephone, Vessels.

33 CFR Part 161

Harbors, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Vessels, Waterways.

33 CFR Part 162

Navigation (water), Waterways.

33 CFR Part 165

Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
amending 33 CFR parts 26, 161, 162, and 165, as follows:

PART 26--VESSEL BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE RADIOTELEPHONE REGULATIONS

1. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1201-1208; 49 CFR 1.46. Sections 26.04 and
26.09 also issued under sec. 4118, Pub. L. 101-380, 104 Stat. 523
(33 U.S.C. 1203 note).

2. In Sec. 26.03(f), table 26.03(f) is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 28328]]
Table 26.03(f)--Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Call Signs, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessel traffic services\1\ (call Designated frequency \2\
sign) (channel designation) Monitoring area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Traffic \3\............ 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14)..... The waters of the Lower New York Bay west of a line
drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point and north
of the line drawn from Ambrose Entrance Lighted
Gong Buoy #1 to Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy
#9 thence to West Bank Light and thence to Great
Kills Light. The waters of the Upper New York Bay,
south of 40 deg.42.40'N. (Brooklyn Bridge) and 40
deg.43.70'N. (Holland Tunnel Ventilator Shaft);
and in Newark Bay, north of 40 deg.38.25'N.
(Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge), and south of 40
deg.41.95'N. (Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge); and the
Kill Van Kull.
156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The waters of Raritan Bay east of a line drawn from
Great Kills Light to Point Comfort in New Jersey
and south of a line drawn from Great Kills Light
to West Bank Light, thence to Ambrose Channel
Lighted Gong Buoy #9, and thence to Ambrose
Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and west of a line
drawn from Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 to
the Sandy Hook Channel Entrance Buoys (Sandy Hook
Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and Sandy Hook Lighted Bell
Buoy #2).
156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... Each vessel at anchor within the above areas.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston \3\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The navigable waters north of 29 deg.N., west of 94
deg.20'W., south of 29 deg.49'N., and east of 95
deg.20'W.:
Houston Traffic................. 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The navigable waters north of a line extending due
west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1
(29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).
156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... The navigable waters south of a line extending due
west from the southern most end of Exxon Dock #1
(29 deg.43.37'N., 95 deg.01.27'W.).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berwick Bay

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berwick Traffic................. 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The navigable waters south of 29 deg.45'N., west of
91 deg.10'W., north of 29 deg.37'N., and east of
91 deg.18'W.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Marys River

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soo Control..................... 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... The navigable waters of the St. Marys River between
45 deg.57'N. (De Tour Reef Light) and 46
deg.38.7'N. (lle Parisienne Light), except the St.
Marys Falls Canal and those navigable waters east
of a line from 46 deg.04.16'N. and 46 deg.01.57'N.
(La Pointe to Sims Point in Potagannissing Bay and
Worsley Bay and Worsley Bay).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco \3\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco Traffic........... 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... The waters within a 38 nautical mile radius of
Mount Tamalpais (37 deg.55.8'N., 122 deg.34.6'W.)
excluding the San Francisco Offshore Precautionary
Area.
156.700 MHz (Ch. 14)..... The waters of the San Francisco Offshore
Precautionary Area eastward to San Francisco Bay
including its tributaries extending to the ports
of Stockton, Sacramento and Redwood City.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puget Sound \4\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle Traffic \5\............. 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14)..... The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and
adjacent waters south of a line connecting
Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point in Admiralty
Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the
southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey
Island to the shoreline.
156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A)..... The navigable waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
east of 124 deg.40'W. excluding the waters in the
central portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
north and east of Race Rocks; the navigable waters
of the Strait of Georgia east of 122 deg.52'W.;
the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait,
Bellingham Bay: Admiralty Inlet north of a line
connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point and
all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line
drawn due east form the southernmost tip of
Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the
shoreline.
Tofino Traffic \6\.............. 156.725 MHz (Ch. 74)..... The waters west of 124 deg.40'W. within 50 nautical
miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including
the waters north of 48 deg.N., and east of 127
deg.W.
[[Page 28329]]

Vancouver Traffic............... 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia west
of 122 deg.52'W., the navigable waters of the
central Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of
Race Rocks, including the Gulf Island Archipelago,
Boundary Pass and Haro Strait.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince William Sound \7\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valdez Traffic.................. 156.650 MHz (Ch. 13)..... The navigable waters south of 61 deg.05'N., east of
147 deg.20'W., north of 60 deg.N., and west of 146
deg.30'W.; and, all navigable waters in Port
Valdez.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisville \7\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisville Traffic.............. 156.650 MHz (Ch. 13)..... The navigable waters of the Ohio River between
McAlpine Locks (Mile 606) and Twelve Mile Island
(Mile 593), only when the McAlpine upper pool
gauge is at approximately 13.0 feet or above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ VTS regulations are denoted in 33 CFR Part 161. All geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) are
expressed in North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
\2\ In the event of a communication failure either by the vessel traffic center or the vessel or radio
congestion on a designated VTS frequency, communications may be established on an alternate VTS frequency. The
bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is monitored in each VTS area; and it may
be used as an alternate frequency, however, only to the extent that doing so provides a level of safety beyond
that provided by other means.
\3\ Designated frequency monitoring is required within U.S. navigable waters. In areas which are outside the
U.S. navigable waters, designated frequency monitoring is voluntary. However, prospective VTS Users are
encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.
\4\ A Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service was established by the United States and Canada with adjoining waters.
The appropriate vessel traffic center administers the rules issued by both nations; however, it will enforce
only its own set of rules within its jurisdiction.
\5\ Seattle Traffic may direct a vessel to monitor the other primary VTS frequency 156.250 MHz or 156.700 MHz
(Channel 5A or 14) depending on traffic density, weather conditions, or other safety factors, rather than
strictly adhering to the designated frequency required for each monitoring area as defined above. This does
not require a vessel to monitor both primary frequencies.
\6\ A portion of Tofino Sector's monitoring area extends beyond the defined CVTS area. Designated frequency
monitoring is voluntary in these portions outside of VTS jurisdiction, however, prospective VTS Users are
encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.
\7\ The bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is used in these VTSs because the
level of radiotelephone transmissions does not warrant a designated VTS frequency. The listening watch
required by Sec. 26.05 of this chapter is not limited to the monitoring area.

Sec. 26.04 [Amended]

3. In Sec. 26.04, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(e) On those navigable waters of the United States within a VTS
area, the designated VTS frequency is an additional designated
frequency required to be monitored in accordance with Sec. 26.05.
* * * * *

Sec. 26.07 [Amended]

4. In Sec. 26.07, insert a comma after ``no person may serve as''

PART 161--VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

5. The authority citation for part 161 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 33 U.S.C. 1223; 49 CFR 1.46.

6. In Sec. 161.12, table 161.12(b) is revised to read as follows:

Table 161.12(b)--Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Call Signs, Designated Frequencies, and Monitoring Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessel traffic services (call Designated Frequency \1\
sign) (Channel designation) Monitoring area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Traffic \2\............ 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14)..... The waters of the Lower New York Bay west of a line
drawn from Norton Point to Breezy Point and north
of a line drawn from Ambrose Entrance Lighted Gong
Buoy #1 to Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #9
thence to West Bank Light and thence to Great
Kills Light. The waters of the Upper New York Bay,
south of 40 deg.42.40'N. (Brooklyn Bridge) and 40
deg.43.70'N. (Holland Tunnel Ventilator Shaft);
and in Newark Bay, north of 40 deg.38.25'N.
(Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge), and south of 40
deg.41.95'N (Lehigh Valley Draw Bridge); and the
Kill Van Kull.
[[Page 28330]]

156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The waters of Raritan Bay east of a line drawn from
Great Kills Light to Point Comfort in New Jersey
and south of a line drawn from Great Kills Light
to West Bank Light. Thence to Ambrose Channel
Lighted Gong Buoy #9, and thence to Ambrose
Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and west of a line
drawn from Ambrose Channel Lighted Gong Buoy #1 to
the Sandy Hook Channel Entrance Buoys (Sandy Hook
Lighted Gong Buoy #1 and Sandy Hook Lighted Bell
Buoy #2).
156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... Each vessel at anchor within the above areas.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston \2\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berwick Bay

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Marys River

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soo Control..................... 156.600 MHz (Ch. 12)..... The navigable waters of the St. Marys River between
45 deg.57'N. (De Tour Reef Light) and 46
deg.38.7'N. (IIe Parisienne Light), except the St.
Marys Falls Canal and those navigable waters east
of a line from 46 deg.04.16'N. and 46 deg.01.57'N.
(La Pointe to Sims Point In Potagannissing Bay and
Worsley Bay).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Francisco \2\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puget Sound \3\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle Traffic \4\............. 156.700 MHz (Ch. 14)..... The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and
adjacent waters south of a line connecting
Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point in Admiralty
Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the
southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey
Island to the shoreline.
156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A)..... The navigable waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
east of 124 deg.40'W. excluding the waters in the
central portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
north and east of Race Rocks; the navigable waters
of the Strait of Georgia east of 122 deg.52'W.;
the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait,
Bellingham Bay; Admiralty Inlet north of a line
connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point and
all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line
drawn due east from the southernmost tip of
Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the
shoreline.
Tofino Traffic \5\.............. 156.725 MHz (Ch. 74)..... The waters west of 124 deg.40'W. within 50 nautical
miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including
the waters north of 48 deg.N., and east of 127
deg.W.
Vancouver Traffic............... 156.550 MHz (Ch. 11)..... The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia west
of 122 deg.52'W., the navigable waters of the
central Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of
Race Rocks, including the Gulf Island Archipelago,
Boundary Pass and Haro Strait.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince William Sound \6\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 28331]]

Louisville \6\

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisville Traffic.............. 156.650 MHz (Ch. 13)..... The navigable waters of the Ohio River between
McAlpine Locks (Mile 606) and Twelve Mile Island
(Mile 593), only when the McAlpine upper pool
gauge is at approximately 13.0 feet or above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ In the event of a communication failure either by the vessel traffic center or the vessel or radio
congestion on a designated VTS frequency, communications may be established on an alternate VTS frequency. The
bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is monitored in each VTS area; and it may
be used as an alternate frequency, however, only to the extent that doing so provides a level of safety beyond
that provided by other means.
\2\ Designated frequency monitoring is required within U.S. navigable waters. In areas which are outside the
U.S. navigable waters, designated frequency monitoring is voluntary. However, prospective VTS Users are
encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.
\3\ A Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service was established by the United States and Canada within adjoining
waters. The appropriate vessel traffic center administers the rules issued by both nations; however, it will
enforce only its own set of rules within its jurisdiction.
\4\ Seattle Traffic may direct a vessel to monitor the other primary VTS frequency 156.250 MHz or 156.700 MHz
(Channel 5A or 14) depending on traffic density, weather conditions, or other safety factors, rather than
strictly adhering to the designated frequency required for each monitoring area as defined above. This does
not require a vessel to monitor both primary frequencies.
\5\ A portion of Tofino Sector's monitoring area extends beyond the defined CVTS area. Designated frequency
monitoring is voluntary in these portions outside of VTS jurisdiction, however, prospective VTS Users are
encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.
\6\ The bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650 MHz (Channel 13), is used in these VTSs because the
level of radiotelephone transmissions does not warrant a designated VTS frequency. The listening watch
required by Sec. 26.05 of this chapter is not limited to the monitoring area.

7. In Sec. 161.35(b), table 161.35(b) is revised to read as
follows:

Table 161.35(b)--VTS Houston/Galveston Precautionary Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Center point
Precautionary area name Radius -----------------------------
(yds.) Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bolivar Roads................. 4000 29 deg.20.9'N 94 deg.47.0'W
Red Fish Bar.................. 4000 29 deg.29.8'N 94 deg.51.9'W
Bayport Channel............... 4000 29 deg.36.7'N 94 deg.57.2'W
Morgans Point................. 2000 29 deg.41.0'N 94 deg.59.0'W
Upper San Jacinto Bay......... 1000 29 deg.42.3'N 95 deg.01.1'W
Baytown....................... 1000 29 deg.43.6'N 95 deg.01.4'W
Lynchburg..................... 1000 29 deg.45.8'N 95 deg.04.8'W
Carpenters Bayou.............. 1000 29 deg.45.3'N 95 deg.05.6'W
Jacintoport................... 1000 29 deg.44.8'N 95 deg.06.0'W
Greens Bayou.................. 1000 29 deg.44.8'N 95 deg.10.2'W
Hunting Bayou................. 1000 29 deg.44.3'N 95 deg.12.1'W
Sims Bayou.................... 1000 29 deg.43.1'N 95 deg.14.4'W
Brady Island.................. 1000 29 deg.43.5'N 95 deg.16.4'
W
Buffalo Bayou................. 1000 29 deg.45.0'N 95 deg.17.3'W
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each Precautionary Area encompasses a circular area of the radius
denoted.

8. In Sec. 161.35(c), table 161.35(c) is revised to read as
follows:

Table 161.35(c)--VTS Houston/Galveston Reporting Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/longitude Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............. Galveston Bay Entrance Galveston Bay Entrance 29 deg.18.4'N; 94 ....................
Channel. CH Lighted Buoy (LB) deg.37.6'W.
``GB''.
2.............. Galveston Bay Entrance Galveston Bay Entrance 29 deg.20.6'N; 94 ....................
Channel. Channel LB 11 and 12. deg.44.6'W.
E.............. Bolivar Land Cut....... Mile 349 Intracoastal 29 deg.22.5'N; 94 Tows entering HSC
Waterway (ICW). deg.46.9' W. also report at HSC
LB 25 & 26.
W.............. Pelican Cut............ Mile 351 ICW........... 29 deg.21.4'N; 94 Tow entering HSC
deg.48.5' W. also report at HSC
LB 25 & 26.
GCG............ Galveston Harbor....... USCG Base. At the 29 deg.20.0'N; 94 ....................
entrance to Galveston deg.46.5'W.
Harbor.
T.............. Texas City Channel..... Texas City Channel LB 29 deg.22.4'N; 94 ....................
12. deg.50.9'W.
[[Page 28332]]

X.............. Houston Ship Channel Houston Ship Channel 29 deg.22.1'N; 94 Tow entering HSC
ICW Intersection. (HSC) LB 25 and 26. deg.48.1'W.. from ICW or Texas
Cut Only.
3.............. Lower Galveston Bay.... HSC LB 31 and 32....... 29 deg.23.5'N; 94 ....................
deg.48.8'W.
4.............. Red Fish Bar........... HSC Lt. 53A & 54A...... 29 deg.30.3'N; 94 ....................
deg.52.4'W.
P.............. Bayport Ship Channel... Bayport Ship Channel 29 deg.36.8'N; 94 Report at the North
Lt. 7 and 8. deg.59.5' W;. Land Cut.
4A............. Upper Galveston Bay.... HSC Buoys 69 and 70.... 29 deg.34.7'N; 94 Tows only.
deg.55.8' W.
5.............. Morgan's Point......... Barbour's Cut.......... 29 deg.41.0'N; 94 Abeam Barbours Cut.
deg.58.9'W..
6.............. Exxon.................. Baytown Bend........... 29 deg.43.5'N; 95 ....................
deg.01.4'W.
7.............. Lynchburg.............. Ferry crossing......... 29 deg.45.8'N; 95 ....................
deg.04.8'W.
8.............. Shell Oil.............. Boggy Bayou............ 29 deg.44.1'N; 95 ....................
deg.08.0'W.
9.............. Greens Bayou........... Greens Bayou........... 29 deg.44.8'N; 95 ....................
deg.10.1'W.
10............. Hess Turning Basin..... Hunting Bayou Turning 29 deg.44.3'N;95 deg.12
Basin. .1'W.
11............. Lyondell Turning Basin. Sims Bayou Turning 29 deg.43.2'N; 95
Basin. deg.14.4'W.
12............. I-610 Bridge........... I-610 Bridge........... 29 deg.43.5'N; 95
deg.16.0'W.
13............. Houston Turning Basin.. Buffalo Bayou.......... 29 deg.45.0'N; 95
deg.17.4'W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 161.40 [Amended]

9. In Sec. 161.40(c), table 161.40(c) is amended by adding the
heading ``Table 161.40(c)--VTS Berwick Bay Reporting Points''.
10. In Sec. 161.45(b), table 161.45(b) is revised to read as
follows:

Table 161.45(b)--VTS St. Marys River Reporting Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/longitude Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................. Ile Parisienne........ Ile Parisienne Light.. 46 deg.37.3'N; 84 Downbound Only.
deg.45.9' W.
2................. Gros Cap Reef......... Gros Cap Reefs Light.. 46 deg.30.6'N; 84 Upbound Only.
deg.37.1' W.
3................. Round Island.......... Round Island Light 32. 46 deg.26.9'N; 84
deg.31.7'W.
4................. Pointe Louise......... Pointe Louise Light... 46 deg.27.8'N; 84
deg.28.2'W.
5*................ West End of Locks..... West Center Pierhead 46 deg.30.2'N; 84 Upbound Only.
Light. deg.22.2' W.
6................. East End of Locks..... East Center Pierhead 46 deg.30.1'N; 84 Downbound Only.
Light. deg.20.3' W.
7................. Mission Point......... Light 99.............. 46 deg.29.2'N; 84
deg.18.1'W.
8................. Six Mile Point........ Six Mile Point........ 46 deg.26.1'N; 84
deg.15.4'W.
9................. Ninemile Point........ Light 80.............. 46 deg.23.5'N; 84
deg.14.1'W.
10................ West Neebish Channel.. Light 29.............. 46 deg.16.9'N; 84 Downbound Only.
deg.12.5' W.
11................ Munuscong Lake Lighted Junction Buoy. 46 deg.10.8'N; 84
Junction. deg.05.6'W.
12................ De Tour Reef.......... De Tour Reef Light.... 46 deg.56.9'N; 83
deg.53.7'W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 161.50 [Amended]

11. In Sec. 161.50, remove ``(a)'' at the beginning of the section;
remove the words ``Petaluma River Entrance Lights `1' and `2' '' and
add, in their place, the words ``Petaluma River Entrance Channel
Daybeacon 19 and Petaluma River Entrance Channel Light 20''; and remove
the words ``Redwood City'' and add, in their place, ``the Dumbarton
Bridge.''
12. In Sec. 161.60, paragraph (c)(4) is removed; and paragraphs
(c)(2) and (c)(3) and the table in paragraph (d) are revised to read as
follows:

Sec. 161.60 Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound

* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(2) For a vessel listed in paragraph (c)(3) of this section--
(i) Approval to enter this area will not be granted to a vessel
when a tank vessel of more than 20,000 deadweight tons is navigating
therein;
(ii) A northbound vessel shall remain south of 61 deg.N. until the
VTS has granted permission to proceed; and
(iii) A southbound vessel shall remain in Port Valdez east of
146 deg.35'W. and north of 61 deg.06'N. until the VTS has granted
permission to proceed.
(3) Paragraph (c)(2) of this section applies to--
(i) A vessel of 1600 gross tons or more; and
(ii) A towing vessel of 8 meters or more in length, except for a
vessel performing duties as an escort vessel as defined in 33 CFR Part
168.
(d) Reporting Points.

Table 161.60(d)--VTS Prince William Sound Reporting Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designator Geographic name Geographic description Latitude/longitude Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1A............. Cape Hinchinbrook...... Cape Hinchinbrook...... 60 deg.16'18''N; 146 Northbound Only.
deg.45'30'' W.
1B............. Schooner Rock.......... Schooner Rock.......... 60 deg.18'42''N; 146 Southbound Only.
deg.51'36'' W.
[[Page 28333]]

2A............. Naked Island........... Naked Island........... 60 deg.40'00''N; 147 Northbound Only.
deg.01'24'' W.
2B............. Naked Island........... Naked Island........... 60 deg.40'00''N; 147 Southbound Only.
deg.05'00'' W.
3A............. Bligh Reef............. Bligh Reef Light (Pilot 60 deg.50'36''N; 146 Northbound Only.
Embark). deg.57'30'' W.
3B............. Bligh Reef............. Bligh Reef Light (Pilot 60 deg.51'00''N; 147 Southbound Only.
Disembark). deg.01'24'' W.
4A............. Rocky Point............ Rocky Point............ 60 deg.57'48''N; 146 Northbound Only.
deg.47'30'' W.
4B............. Rocky Point............ Rocky Point............ 60 deg.57'48''N; 146 Southbound Only.
deg.50'00'' W.
5.............. Entrance Island........ Entrance Island Light.. 61 deg.05'24''N; 146
deg.37'30''W..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 162--INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS

13. The authority citation for part 162 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 49 CFR 1.46.

Sec. 162.117 [Amended]

14. In 162.117, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(c) Anchoring Rules
(1) A vessel must not anchor:
(i) within the waters between Brush Point and the waterworks intake
crib off Big Point southward of the Point Aux Pins range; or
(i) within 0.2 nautical miles of the intake crib off Big Point.
(2) In an emergency, vessels may anchor in a dredged channel.
Vessels shall anchor as near to the edge of the channel as possible and
shall get underway as soon as the emergency ceases, unless otherwise
directed. Vessel Traffic Services St. Marys River must be advised of
any emergency anchoring as soon as is practicable.
(3) Vessels collected in any part of the VTS Area by reason of
temporary closure of a channel or an impediment to navigation shall get
underway and depart in the order in which they arrived, unless
otherwise directed by Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River. Vessel
Traffic Service St. Marys River may advance any vessel in the order of
departure to expedite the movement of mails, passengers, cargo of a
perishable nature, to facilitate passage of vessels through any channel
by reason of special circumstance, or to facilitate passage through the
St. Marys Falls Canal.
* * * * *
15. In Sec. 162.117(g), Table 162.117(g), add the heading ``Table
162.117(g)--St. Marys River Speed Rules''; and in paragraph (g)(2), add
the words ``Commanding Officer'' before ``Vessel Traffic Service St.
Marys River.''

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

16. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g),
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

Sec. 165.809 [Removed]

17. Section 165.809 is removed.

Sec. 165.810 [Amended]

18. In Sec. 165.810 redesignate paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) as
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) respectively; and add paragraph (a) to read
as follows:
(a) Purpose and Applicability. This section prescribes rules for
all vessels operating in the Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA,
including South and Southwest Passes, to assist in the prevention of
collisions and groundings and to protect the navigable waters of the
Mississippi River from environmental harm resulting from those
incidents.
* * * * *

Sec. 165.811 [Amended]

19. In Sec. 165.811, in paragraph (e), amend the table heading by
adding ``Table 165.812(e)--'' before the words ``Minimum Available
Horsepower Requirement''; and in paragraph (f)(4)(ii), remove the word
``horizontally'' and add, in its place, the word ``vertically.''

Sec. 165.1704 [Amended]

20. In Sec. 165.1704 remove paragraph (c)(4) and redesignate
paragraphs (c)(5), (c)(6) and (c)(7) as paragraphs (c)(4), (c)(5) and
(c)(6), respectively.

Dated: May, 16, 1995.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and
Waterways Services.
[FR Doc. 95-13268 Filed 5-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M