[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55167-55168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28101]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 110 and 165

[CGD 05-97-076]
RIN 2115-AA98


Delaware River Safety Zone and Anchorage Regulations

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Army Corps of Engineers has begun dredging parts of the 
Delaware River including the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel. Because of 
the dredging operations, temporary additional requirements will be 
imposed in Marcus Hook Anchorage (Anchorage 7), the Deepwater Point 
Anchorage (Anchorage 6), and the Mantua Creek Anchorage (Anchorage 9). 
The Coast Guard is also establishing a temporary moving safety zone 
around the dredge vessel Essex that will be working in the Marcus Hook 
Range Ship Channel adjacent to Anchorage 7.

EFFECTIVE DATES: Paragraph (b)(11) in 33 CFR 110.157 is effective from 
October 2, 1997 until 6 a.m. on December 20, 1997. Section 165.T05-076 
is effective from October 2, 1997 until 6 a.m. on December 20, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT S.A. Budka, Project Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, 1 
Washington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19147-4395, Phone: (215) 271-4889.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3) and 5 
U.S.C. 553(d), a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) was not 
published for this regulation and good cause exists for making it 
effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. The 
Coast Guard was informed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia 
District on September 26, 1997 that dredging operations would commence 
on October 2, 1997. Publishing a NPRM and delaying its effective date 
would be contrary to the public interest, since immediate action is 
needed to protect mariners from potential hazards associated with the 
dredging operations in the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel and to modify 
the anchorage regulations to facilitate vessel traffic.

Background and Purpose

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) notified the Coast Guard 
that it needed to conduct dredging operations on the Delaware River, in 
the vicinity of the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel. The dredging is 
needed to maintain the project depth of the channel. Similar dredging 
was conducted in 1995 and 1996. This period of dredging began October 
2, 1997 and is anticipated to end on December 20, 1997.
    To reduce the hazards associated with dredging the channel, vessel 
traffic that would normally transit through the Marcus Hook Range Ship 
Channel will be diverted through part of Anchorage 7, reducing 
available anchorage space by approximately one half. Vessels will 
continue to be allowed to anchor in available parts of Anchorage 7 
during the dredging operations; however, permission to anchor must be 
obtained from the Captain of the Port, who will identify those parts of 
Anchorage 7 that are expected to be available.
    For the protection of mariners transiting in the vicinity of 
dredging operations, the Coast Guard is also establishing a moving 
safety zone around the dredging vessel Essex. The safety zone will 
ensure that mariners remain a safe distance from the dredging equipment 
that could potentially be dangerous.

Discussion of the Regulation

    Section 110.157(b)(2) allows vessels to anchor for up to 48 hours 
in the anchorages listed in 110.157(a), which includes Anchorage 7. 
However, because of the limited anchorage space available in Anchorage 
7, the Coast Guard is adding a temporary paragraph 33 CFR 
110.157(b)(11) to provide additional requirements and restrictions on 
vessels utilizing Anchorage 7. During the effective period, vessels 
desiring to use Marcus Hook Anchorage (Anchorage 7) must obtain 
permission from the Captain of the Port, Philadelphia at least 24 hours 
in advance. The Captain of the Port will permit only one vessel at a 
time to anchor in Anchorage 7 and will grant permission on a ``first 
come, first serve'' basis. A vessel will be directed to a location 
within Anchorage 7 where it may anchor, and will not be permitted to 
remain in Anchorage 7 for more than 12 hours.
    The Coast Guard expects that vessels normally permitted to anchor 
in Anchorage 7 will use Anchorage 6 off Deepwater Point or Anchorage 9 
near the entrance to Mantua Creek, because they are the closest 
anchorages to Anchorage 7. To control access to Anchorage 7, the Coast 
Guard is requiring a vessel desiring to anchor in Anchorage 7 obtain 
advance permission from the Captain of the Port. To control access to 
Anchorages 6 and 9, the Coast Guard is requiring any vessel 700 feet or 
greater in length obtain advance permission from the Captain of the 
Port before anchoring. The Coast Guard is also concerned that the 
holding ground in Anchorages 6 and 9 is not as good as in Anchorage 7. 
Therefore, a vessel 700 to 750 feet in length is required to have one 
tug standing alongside while at anchor, and a vessel of over 750 feet 
in length must have two tugs standing alongside. The tug(s) must have 
sufficient horsepower to prevent a vessel from swinging into the 
channel if necessary.
    The Coast Guard is also establishing a moving safety zone within a 
150 yard radius of the dredging operations being conducted in the 
Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel in the vicinity of Anchorage 7 by the 
dredge vessel Essex. The safety zone will protect mariners transiting 
the area from the potential hazards associated with dredging 
operations. Vessels transiting the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel are 
required to divert from the main ship channel through Anchorage 7, and 
must operate at the minimum safe speed necessary to maintain steerage 
and reduce wake. No vessel may enter the safety zone unless it receives 
permission from the Captain of the Port.

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

[[Page 55168]]

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.
    Although this regulation requires certain vessels to have at least 
one tug alongside while at anchor, the requirement only applies to 
vessels 700 feet or greater in length, that are anchored in Anchorages 
6 and 9. Vessels anchoring in Anchorage 7 are not required to have 
assist tugs alongside. Alternate anchorages, such as Anchorage A 
(Breakwater) and Anchorage 1 (Big Stone) in Delaware Bay, are also 
reasonably close and generally available. Vessels anchoring in 
Anchorages A and 1 are typically not required to have tugs alongside. 
Furthermore, few vessels 700 feet or greater are expected to enter the 
port during the effective period. The majority of vessels expected are 
less than 700 feet and thus will not be required to have tugs 
alongside. The Captain of the Port, Philadelphia will direct anchoring 
of vessels so as not to significantly impede traffic flow in the 
vicinity of the dredging operations.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and concluded that under section 2.B.2.e. of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654; July 29, 1994), this 
rule is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination statement has been 
prepared and placed in the rulemaking docket.

Collection of Information

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

Federalism Assessment

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

List of Subjects

33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Security measures, 
Vessels, Waterways.

Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR 
110 and 33 CFR 165 as follows:

PART 110--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 110 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2030, 2035, and 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and 
33 CFR 1.05-1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in 110.1a 
is also issued under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.

    2. In Sec. 110.157, a new temporary paragraph (b)(11) is added to 
read as follows:


Sec. 110.157  Delaware Bay and River.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (11) In addition to the requirements and restrictions of paragraph 
(b)(2), the provisions of this paragraph apply to the anchorages in 
paragraphs (a)(7), (a)(8), and (a)(10).
    (i) Prior to anchoring in Anchorage 7 off Marcus Hook, as described 
in paragraph (a)(8) of this section, a vessel must first obtain 
permission from the Captain of the Port, Philadelphia, at least 24 
hours on advance of arrival. Permission to anchor will be granted on a 
``first-come, first-serve'' basis. The Captain of the Port will allow 
only one vessel at a time to anchor in Anchorage 7 and will direct the 
vessel to a location in which the vessel may anchor. No vessel may 
remain within Anchorage 7 for more than 12 hours.
    (ii) For Anchorage 6 as described in paragraph (a)(7) of this 
section, and Anchorage 9 as described in paragraph (a)(10) of this 
section:
    (A) Any vessel 700 feet or greater in length requesting anchorage 
shall obtain permission from the Captain of the Port, Philadelphia, PA 
at least 24 hours in advance.
    (B) Any vessel from 700 to 750 feet in length shall have one tug 
alongside at all times while the vessel is at anchor.
    (C) Any vessel greater than 750 feet in length shall have two tugs 
alongside at all times while the vessel is at anchor.
    (D) The master, owner or operator of a vessel at anchor shall 
ensure that a tug(s) required by this section is of sufficient 
horsepower to assist with necessary maneuvers to keep the vessel clear 
of the navigation channel.
    (iii) Definitions: Captain of the Port or COTP means the Captain of 
the Port, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer authorized to act on his behalf.
    (iv) Effective Dates: This paragraph is effective from October 2, 
1997 until 6 a.m. on December 20, 1997.

PART 165--[AMENDED]

    3. The authority citation for Part 165 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1225 and 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.

    4. A new Section 165.T05-076 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T05-076  Safety Zone: Delaware River, Marcus Hook Range Ship 
channel.

    (a) Location: The following area is a safety zone: All waters 
within a 150 yard radius of the dredging vessel Essex operating in or 
near the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel in the vicinity of Anchorage 7.
    (b) Effective Dates: This regulation is effective from October 2, 
1997 until 6 a.m. on December 20, 1997.
    (c) Regulations: The following regulations shall apply within the 
safety zone.
    (1) In accordance with the general regulations in Section 165.23, 
entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port. The general requirements of sections 165.23 also 
apply to this regulation.
    (i) Vessels transiting the Marcus Hook Range Ship Channel shall 
divert from the main ship channel through Anchorage 7, remain at least 
150 yards from the dredging operations, and operate at a minimum safety 
speed necessary to maintain steerageway and reduce wake.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the safety zone shall proceed as 
directed by the Captain of the Port.
    (3) The Coast Guard vessel enforcing the safety zone may be 
contacted on channel 13 and 16 VHF-FM. The Captain of the Port, 
Philadelphia may be contacted at telephone number (215) 271-4940.
    (d) Definitions: Captain of the Port or COTP means the Captain of 
the Port, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer authorized to act on his behalf.

    Dated: October 1, 1997.
Roger T. Rufe,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-28101 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am]
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