[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 188 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50234-50235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24110]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 95-015]


Load Lines: Barges on Lake Michigan

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending its policy regarding the limited 
service domestic load line routes for unmanned, river-service, dry-
cargo barges operating on Lake Michigan between Chicago (Calumet 
Harbor), Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and between Chicago and 
St. Joseph, Michigan. This amendment is in response to a request for 
comments.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 28, 1995.

ADDRESSES: 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:
Mr. William Hayden, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental 
Protection, U.S. Coast Guard (G-MMS-2), room 1308, 2100 Second Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. The telephone number is (202) 267-2988.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 31, 1995, the Coast Guard published a notice in the 
Federal Register (60 FR 16693) concerning its policy for unmanned, 
river-service, dry-cargo barges operating on Lake Michigan between 
Chicago (Calumet Harbor), Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 
between Chicago and St. Joseph (Benton Harbor), Michigan. Under that 
policy, these barges are exempt from the requirement that they 

[[Page 50235]]
have a Great Lakes Load Line Certificate under 46 CFR part 45 if they 
have a Limited Service Domestic Voyage Load Line Certificate and meet 
certain special operating restrictions and conditions.
    The Coast Guard received 16 comments on the March 31, 1995, notice.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    1. One comment stated that river barges should not be permitted to 
operate on the Great Lakes unless they meet the same requirements as 
lakes barges.
    This comment was based on the misunderstanding that the barges 
operating in this service are exempt from all load line requirements. 
Although the barges do not receive a Great Lakes load line certificate, 
thereby precluding their use in unlimited Great Lakes service, they are 
required to have a limited service domestic load line. The limited 
service domestic load line is required to be maintained like any other 
load line (i.e., the barges must be surveyed annually, be kept in good 
repair, and be drydocked every 5 years).
    2. One comment supported the requirement in paragraph II.4. that a 
rake barge be used as the lead in the tow. Fourteen comments opposed 
the requirement and requested that it be dropped. Several comments 
pointed out that this requirement was not part of the original policy 
for the Chicago to Milwaukee route and should not have been added 
later.
    The main oppositions to the rake-barge requirement seem to be 
economic, that a rake barge carries less cargo than a box barge, and 
logistical, that there are not enough rake barges currently certified 
to operate on Lake Michigan. The rake-barge requirement was based on 
the fact that the use of a rake barge in the lead tends to reduce 
transit time and better enable the tow to escape rough weather. 
However, in light of the burdens imposed by this requirement and the 
good safety record on the Chicago-to-Milwaukee route, the Coast Guard 
is removing this requirement until it can assess operations on the new 
Chicago-to-St. Joseph route.
    For the reasons set out above, the Coast Guard, under 46 U.S.C. 
5108 and 46 CFR 45.15(a), amends paragraph II.4. of the exemption 
announced in the notice of March 31, 1995, (60 FR 16693) to read as 
follows:

Limited Service Domestic Voyage Load Line Routes: Chicago, Illinois, to 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois, to St. Joseph, Michigan

II. Operating Restrictions

* * * * *
    4. The towing vessel must have adequate horsepower to handle the 
size of the tow, with a minimum of 1,000 horsepower. The tow is limited 
to a maximum of three barges.
* * * * *
    Dated: September 22, 1995.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director For Standards, Office of Marine Safety, Security, and 
Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 95-24110 Filed 9-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M