[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19220-19222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10660]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-96-008]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; Suncoast Kilo Run; Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge; Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Sarasota, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local 
regulations for Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and 
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, all events sponsored by the S.O.R.A. 
(Suncoast Racing Association). The Suncoast Kilo Run event would be 
held annually at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), on the 
first Friday of July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast 
Offshore Grand Prix events would be held annually at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
EDT, on the first Saturday and Sunday of July. These proposed 
regulations are intended to promote safe navigation on the waters in 
the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Sarasota and on the waters in 
North Sarasota Bay, Florida, by controlling the traffic entering, 
exiting, and traveling within these waters. These proposed regulations 
are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters 
during the event.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Group St. 
Petersburg, 600 8th Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5099, or 
may be delivered to operations office at the same address between 8 
a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. 
The telephone number is (813) 824-

[[Page 19221]]

7533. Comments will become a part of the public docket and will be 
available for copying and inspection at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LTJG J.W. Nelson, project officer, 
U.S. Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg, FL at (813) 824-7533.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written views, data, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names, addresses, 
identify the notice (CGD07-96-008) and the specific section of this 
proposal to which their comments apply, and give reasons for each 
comment. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. The regulations may be changed in view of the comments 
received. All comments received before the expiration of the comment 
period will be considered before final action is taken on this 
proposal.
    No public hearing is planned, but one may be held if written 
requests for a hearing are received, and it is determined that the 
opportunity to make oral presentations will add to the rulemaking 
process.

Discussion of Proposed Regulations

    The proposed regulations are needed to provide for the safety of 
life during the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and 
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, all sponsored by the S.O.R.A. (Suncoast 
Racing Association). These Proposed regulations are intended to promote 
safe navigation on the waters in North Sarasota Bay and on the Gulf of 
Mexico in the vicinity of Sarasota, Florida, by controlling the traffic 
entering, exiting, and traveling within these waters. Historically 
during these races, there have been between 150 and 300 participant ant 
spectator craft. There would be approximately between 50 and 100 power 
boats, 21 to 50 feet in length, participating in these races at high 
speeds. The anticipated concentration of spectator and participant 
vessels associated with the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge and Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix poses a safety concern, 
which is addressed in these special local regulations. The Suncoast 
Kilo Run event would be held annually at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, on the 
first Friday of July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast 
Offshore Grand Prix events would be held annually at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
EDT, on the first Saturday and Sunday of July.
    These proposed special local regulations for the Suncoast Kilo Run 
would establish a ``no wake'' zone in an area between markers #13 
(27 deg.20.82N, 82 deg.33.78W, LLNR 48035) and #17 (27 deg.24.5N, 
82 deg.36.8W, LLNR 48190) in North Sarasota Bay. All coordinates 
referenced are datum: NAD 83. Spectator craft would be permitted in the 
area but would be required to stay clear of the designated race lanes. 
This race would be held annually on the First Friday of July, between 8 
a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT.
    The proposed special local regulations for the Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge would not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of 
the racecourse out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 
4 p.m. EDT. Spectator craft would be permitted near the race area but 
would be required to stay clear of the race lanes. Anchoring for 
spectators would be permitted shoreward of the shoreside legs of the 
racecourse. All vessel traffic exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. to 4 
p.m. EDT would exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 
(27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100), and 4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 
82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and would proceed in a northerly 
direction shoreward of the spectator craft until well clear of the race 
course. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983. Big Sarasota 
Pass would be closed to all inbound and outbound vessel traffic, other 
than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the 
first Saturday of July.
    The proposed special regulations for the Suncoast Offshore Grand 
Prix would not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of the 
racecourse out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 
p.m. EDT, annually on the first Sunday of July. Spectator craft would 
be permitted near the race area but would by required to stay clear of 
the race lanes. Anchoring for spectators would be permitted shoreward 
of the shoreside legs of the racecourse. All vessel traffic not 
involved with the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix exiting New Pass between 
10 a.m. and 4 p.m EDT would exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel 
daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100) and #4 
(27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and would proceed in a 
northerly direction shoreward of the spectator craft, taking action to 
avoid a close-quarters situation with the spectator craft until finally 
past and clear of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: 
NAD 1983. Big Sarasota Pass would be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
EDT, annually on the first Sunday of July.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposal 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 been exempted from review 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 
rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 
10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. 
The proposed regulation would last for only 5 hours on each day of the 
event.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small 
entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses 
that are not dominant in their field and that otherwise qualify as 
``small business concerns'' under Section 3 of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 632).
    For reasons set forth in the above Regulatory Evaluation, the Coast 
Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposal, if adopted, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.

Collection of Information

    These proposed regulations contain no collection of information 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principals and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the rulemaking does not have sufficient Federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and has concluded that preparation of an environmental Impact 
Statement is not necessary. An environmental assessment and a finding 
of no

[[Page 19222]]

significant impact have been prepared and are available in the docket 
for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. The Coast 
Guard has concluded that this proposed action would not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

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

Proposed Regulations

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard is proposing to 
amend Part 100 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 100--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 100 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.

    2. A new section Sec. 100.718 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.718   Annual Suncoast Kilo Run; Sarasota Bay, Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established in Sarasota 
Bay with the northwest corner pint at Whale Key, position 
27 deg.23'53'' N, 82 deg.37'46'' W, extending to the northeast corner 
point at Bayshore Gardens Channel, position 27 deg.25'11'' N, 
82 deg.35'45'' W, then extending to the southeast corner point at 
Whitaker Bayou, position 27 deg.21'22'' N, 82 deg.33'14'' W, and then 
to the southwest corner point at Quick Point, position 27 deg.20'18'' 
N, 82 deg.34'' W. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (b) Special local regulations. (1) In accordance with these 
regulations, the regulated area is designated as a ``no wake'' zone. 
Spectator craft are permitted into the area, but are prohibited from 
entering the race course areas described in (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Inside the ``no wake'' zone are two designated areas 
surrounding the primary and alternate race courses. Primary course 
``A'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point at 
position 27 deg.22'10'' N, 82 deg.36'09'' W, a southeast corner point 
at position 27 deg.21'31'' N, 82 deg.35'37'' W, a southwest corner 
point at position 27 deg.21'27'' N, 82 deg.35'48'' W, and a northwest 
corner point at position 27 deg.22'05'' N, 82 deg.36'16'' W. Alternate 
course ``B'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point 
at position 27 deg.23'11'' N, 82 deg.34'31'' W, a southeast corner 
point at position 27 deg.22'35'' N, 82 deg.34'03'' W, a southwest 
corner point at position 27 deg.22'31'' N, 82 deg.34'08'' W, and 
northwest corner point at position 27 deg.23'09'' N, 82 deg.34'38'' W. 
All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (3) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
section.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 8 a.m. and 
terminates at 1 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Friday of July.
    2. A new section Sec. 100.719 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.719   Annual Suncoast Offshore Challenge; Gulf of Mexico, 
Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line 
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position 
27 deg.18.21' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N, 
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position 
27 deg.14.73' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' N, 
82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.93' N, 82 deg.35.25' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to position 
27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/finish 
position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (b) Special local regulations. (1) No anchoring will be permitted 
seaward of the shoreside boundaries of the regulated area out to three 
nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, annually on the 
first Saturday of July.
    (2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the 
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
    (3) All vessel traffic, not involved with the Suncoast Offshore 
Challenge, exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT will exit at 
New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall 
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking 
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear 
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
regulation. Spectator vessels will stay clear of race area at all 
times.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and 
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Saturday of July.
    2. A new section Sec. 100.720 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.720  Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Gulf of Mexico, 
Sarasota, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line 
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position 
27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N, 
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position 
27 deg.14.73' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' N, 
82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.93' N, 82 deg.35.25' W, 
thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to position 
27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/finish 
position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (b) Special local regulations. (1) No anchoring will be permitted 
seaward of the shoreside boundaries of the regulated area out to three 
nautical miles from shore, form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the 
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
    (3) All vessel traffic not involved with the Suncoast Offshore 
Grand Prix, exiting New Pass between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT will exit 
at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall 
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking 
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear 
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
    (4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound 
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
    (5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this 
regulation. Spectator craft will stay clear of race area at all times.
    (c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and 
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Sunday of July.

    Dated: April 23, 1996.
Roger T. Rufe, Jr.,
Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-10660 Filed 4-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M