[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53726-53727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25714]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 84

[CGD 95-037]


Adequacy of Barge and Tug Navigation Lights

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will conduct a public meeting to obtain 
information from members of the regulated community and the general 
public on lighting requirements for towing vessels and vessels being 
towed under Navigation Rule 24. This action is in response to concerns 
expressed by the marine community, both commercial and recreational, 
that current lighting requirements are not adequate.

DATES: The meeting will be held on November 11, 1995, from 9:15 a.m. to 
12 noon. Written material must be received not later than December 18, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown/
Convention Center, 811 North Ninth Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Written 
comments 

[[Page 53727]]
may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-
LRA), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-
0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the same address between 8 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
Comments will become part of this docket and will be available for 
inspection or copying at room 3406, Coast Guard Headquarters, between 8 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Margie G. Hegy, Vessel Traffic Services Division (G-NVT), U.S. 
Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593, telephone 
(202) 267-0415.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Inland Navigation Rules (Navigation 
Rules) are set forth in 33 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. Lighting requirements 
for towing vessels and vessels under tow are contained in Rule 24, 33 
U.S.C. 2024. Under 33 U.S.C. 2701, the Secretary of Transportation may 
issue regulations to implement and interpret the Navigation Rules. The 
Secretary is also directed to establish technical annexes. The 
technical annex for lighting requirements is contained in 33 CFR Part 
84. This annex specifies placement requirements for lights, including 
placement of lights on towing vessels and vessels under tow.
    Safety concerns associated with towing operations and small craft 
traffic have been raised in recent years in several publications, 
including the American Boat and Yacht Council Newsletter, U.S. Coast 
Guard Boating Safety Circulars, America's Inland and Coastal Tug and 
Barge Operators pamphlet ``Life Lines'', and various yachting 
magazines. The safety aspects of barge lighting were discussed at the 
May 1994 meeting of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council 
(NBSAC). At its November 1994 meeting, the Navigation Safety Advisory 
Council (NAVSAC) was asked to consider whether current tug and tow 
lighting requirements under Navigation Rule 24 are adequate.
    After considerable discussion, NAVSAC concluded that additional 
information was needed to determine whether there was an actual 
problem, and, if so, possible solutions. The Council unanimously passed 
a resolution requesting that the Coast Guard solicit public comments on 
whether towing vessels and vessels being towed are sufficiently lighted 
while underway.
    On May 9, 1995, the Coast Guard published a Request for Comments in 
the Federal Register (60 FR 24598). The Coast Guard received 64 
comments from offshore commercial operators, inland tug and tow 
operators, and recreational boaters. The comments were mixed on whether 
the lighting required on barges is adequate, but all three user groups 
cited the following key problem areas:
    (1) Lack of understanding of the Rules of the Road;
    (2) Flaws in the Rules of the Road (i.e. lighting for sail vessels, 
vessels under oar, and vessels being towed are the same); and
    (3) Poor equipment (i.e. dim lights, positioning of lights, use of 
household bulbs for navigation lights, use of portable lights which are 
not required to meet vertical sector requirements, and tug lights 
obscured by barges).
    The Coast Guard is interested in receiving your comments, 
especially on the three key problem areas cited by previous comments. 
Comments should clearly describe your experiences and any problems 
associated with barge lighting and, if possible, provide potential 
solutions. The Coast Guard is particularly interested in 
recommendations that would not require amendment of the Navigation 
Rules and that conform with the International Rules. In adopting the 
International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 
COLREGS), the United States not only agreed that its vessels would 
abide by those regulations when in international waters, but also that 
any special rules adopted by the United States for use on waterways 
connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels would 
``conform as closely as possible to these rules'' (72 COLREGS, Rule 1).
    To assist NAVSAC in their review of this issue, the public meeting 
will be part of the Council's November meeting in St. Louis, MO. All 
written and oral comments, including those received in response to the 
previously published notice, will be considered by the Coast Guard and 
NAVSAC.
    Attendance is open to the public. With advance notice, and as time 
permits, members of the public may make oral presentations during the 
meeting. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify the 
person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 
the day before the meeting. Written material may be submitted prior to, 
during, or after the meeting.

    Dated: October 11, 1995.
Rudy K. Peschel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation, Safety and 
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-25714 Filed 10-16-95; 8:45 am]
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