[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 114 (Friday, June 13, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32200-32201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP MIAMI 96-054]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone; Fort Lauderdale, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent moving safety zone 
around naval aircraft carriers transiting the waters of Port 
Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These regulations are needed to 
protect all vessels and the public from the safety hazards associated 
with the arrival and departure of naval aircraft carriers making port 
calls. During arrival and departure, these types of vessels require the 
use of the center channel in Port Everglades for safe navigation and 
leave no room for other vessels to safely pass. Therefore, these 
regulations are necessary for the safety of life on the navigable 
waters.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These regulations are effective on July 14, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
CDR R.M. Miles, Chief, Port Management and Response Department, USCG 
Marine Safety Office Miami at (305) 535-8700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal 
Register on March 7, 1997 (62 FR 10496). No comments were received 
during the comment period.

Discussion of Regulations

    These regulations are needed to provide for the safety of life on 
navigable waters during the arrival and departure of naval aircraft 
carriers in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These moving 
safety zones are necessary because of the significant risks associated 
with naval aircraft carriers transiting the area due to their size, 
draft, and channel restrictions. Historically, the Coast Guard has

[[Page 32201]]

established a moving safety zone each time naval vessels of this class 
have transited the waters of Port Everglades both to and from a port 
call. Given the recurring nature of these port calls, and the safety 
dangers associated with naval aircraft carriers, the Coast Guard is 
establishing a permanent moving safety zone around these vessels during 
their arrival and departure from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, 
Florida.
    The safety zone will be established in an area 700 yards forward, 
500 yards astern and 350 yards on either side of naval aircraft 
carriers entering or departing Port Everglades. The safety zone will be 
established for a period of approximately one and one half hours during 
the arrival and departure of these vessels. The Coast Guard will assign 
a patrol and issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to advise mariners of 
the established safety zone in advance of the naval aircraft carrier's 
arrival and departure. This safety zone will be effective only during 
the time indicated in the Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

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 
proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is 
unnecessary. This conclusion is based on the limited duration of the 
moving safety zone, the extensive advisories that will be made to the 
affected maritime community and the minimal restrictions the 
regulations will place on vessel traffic. These regulations will be in 
effect for a total of approximately three hours per port call for these 
vessels.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601--612), 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).
    The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C.605 (b) that this rule 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities because of the short duration of the disruption to 
regular navigation.

Collection of Information

    These regulations contain no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3512).

Federalism

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

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and has concluded under paragraph 2.B.2.e(34)(g) of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654, July 29, 1994), that 
this proposal is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination and Environmental 
Analysis Checklist is available in the docket for inspection or 
copying.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

Final Regulations

    In consideration of the foregoing, The Coast Guard amends Subpart C 
of Part 165 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 165--[AMENDED]

    1. 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.

    2. A new section Sec. 165.711 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 165.711  Safety Zone: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

    (a) Regulated Area. A moving safety zone is established in the 
following area:
    (1) The waters around naval aircraft carriers entering Port 
Everglades in an area 700 yards forward, 500 yards astern and 350 yards 
on either side of each vessel, beginning at the Port Everglades Sea 
Buoy in approximate position 26 deg.05.5'N, 80 deg.04.8'W and 
continuing until the vessel is safely moored in approximate position 
26 deg.04.9'N, 80 deg.06.9'W. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 
83.
    (2) The waters around naval aircraft carriers departing Port 
Everglades in an area 700 yards forward, 500 yards astern and 350 yards 
on either side of each vessel beginning at the Pier in approximate 
position 26 deg.04.9'N, 80 deg.06.9'W, and continuing until the stern 
passes the Port Everglades Sea Buoy, in approximate position 
26 deg.05.5'N, 80 deg.04.8'W. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 
83.
    (b) Regulations.
    (1) No person or vessel may enter, transit, or remain in the safety 
zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Miami, Florida, or a 
Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer designated by him.
    (2) Vessels encountering emergencies which require transit through 
the moving safety zone should contact the Coast Guard patrol craft on 
VHF Channel 16. In the event of an emergency, the Coast Guard patrol 
craft may authorize a vessel to transit through the safety zone with a 
Coast Guard designated escort.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
on-scene patrol personnel. On-scene patrol personnel include 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard. Coast 
Guard Auxiliary and local or state officials may be present to inform 
vessel operators of this regulation and other applicable laws.

    Dated: May 9, 1997.
D.F. Miller,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Miami, FL.
[FR Doc. 97-15539 Filed 6-12-97; 8:45 am]
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