[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 16115-16116] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-8254] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [CGD7-98-017] RIN 2115-AE46 Special Local Regulations; Fort Lauderdale, FL AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Temporary final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Special local regulations are being adopted for the start of the Fort Lauderdale-Baltimore leg of the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Sailboat Race. The event will be held offshore of Fort Lauderdale on April 19, 1998. The regulations are needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. DATES: These regulations become effective at 12 p.m. and terminate at 1 p.m. EDT on April 19, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: QMCS Thomas E. Kjerulff, Coast Guard Group Miami, Florida at (305)535-4492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose Whitbread Race Americas Inc., is sponsoring the start of the Fort Lauderdale to Baltimore leg of the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Sailboat Race. The event will be held on April 19, 1998: from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. These regulations will create two regulated areas one mile offshore of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the start and turning point of the race involving the ten 60 foot offshore racing sailboats participating. Entry into the regulated areas will be prohibited to non-participating vessels. These regulations are necessary for the protection of life on the navigable waters of the United States, as there will be approximately two thousand spectator craft in the vicinity. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking has not been published for these regulations and good cause exists for making it effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. Following normal rulemaking procedures would have been impracticable, as there was not sufficient time remaining after notice of the event to publish proposed rules or to provide for a delayed effective date. Regulatory Evaluation This regulation 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 Cost 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. Entry into the regulated area is prohibited for only 3 hours on the 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 rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small entities'' include small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their field and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under section 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as the regulations will only be in effect for approximately 3 hours in a limited area off Fort Lauderdale. 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 implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. Environmental Assessment The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this action and has determined pursuant to section 2.B.2.a (CE#34(h)) of Commandant Instruction M16475.1C that this action is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. [[Page 16116]] List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100 Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Waterways. Temporary Regulations In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard amends 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 temporary section 100.35-T07-017 is added to read as follows: Sec. 100.35-T07-017 Whitbread Race; Fort Lauderdale, FL (a) Regulated Areas (all coordinates reference Datum: NAD 1983). (1) A regulated area is established for the starting line by a line joining the following corner points: Corner point 1: 26-07.9N--080- 04.4W, Corner point 2: 26-07.1N--080-04.4W, Corner point 3: 26-07.9N-- 080-05.6W, Corner point 4: 26-07.1N--080-05.6W. (2) A regulated area is established for the turning point by a line joining the following corner points: Corner point 1: 26-10.1N--080- 04.6W, Corner point 2: 26-10.1N--080-05.2W, Corner point 3: 26-10.9N-- 080-04.6W, Corner point 4: 26-10.9N--080-05.2W. (b) Special local regulations. (1) Entry into the regulated area by other than event participants is prohibited unless otherwise authorized by the Patrol Commander. After departure of participants from the regulated area, traffic may resume normal operations. (2) A succession of not fewer than 5 short whistle or horn blasts from a patrol vessel will be the signal for any and all vessels to take immediate steps to avoid collision. The display of an orange distress smoke signal from a patrol vessel will be the signal for any and all vessels to stop immediately. (c) Dates. This section is effective at 12 p.m. and terminates at 1 p.m. EDT on April 19, 1998. Dated: March 18, 1998. Norman T. Saunders, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 98-8254 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-M