[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16688-16690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8959]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[CGD11-97-007]
RIN 2115-AA98


Anchorage Regulations: San Diego Harbor, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard hereby establishes several special anchorages 
in San Diego Bay, California. A ``special anchorage'' is an area on the 
water where vessels less than 20 meters (approximately 65 feet) in 
length are allowed to anchor without displaying navigation lights which 
are otherwise required for anchored vessels under Rule 30 of the Inland 
Navigational Rules, codified at 33 U.S.C. 2030. The intended effect of 
these special anchorages is to reduce the risk of vessel collisions 
within San Diego Bay by specifying more special anchorage areas which 
will provide designated sites for vessels less than 20 meters in 
length.

DATES: This rule becomes effective May 6, 1998.


[[Page 16689]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Mike Arguelles, Marine 
Safety Office, San Diego, (619) 683-6484, or Mike Van Houten, USCG, 
Pacific Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch, Eleventh 
Coast Guard District, (510) 437-2984.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    On November 25, 1997, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation in the Federal Register 
[62 FR 62734]. The comment period ended January 26, 1998. The Coast 
Guard received no comments. A public hearing was not requested and no 
hearing was held.

Background and Purpose

    A special anchorage is an area on the water in which vessels less 
than 20 meters (approximately 65 feet) in length are allowed to anchor 
without displaying navigation lights. Such lights are otherwise 
required for anchored vessels under Rule 30 of the Inland Navigational 
Rules, codified at 33 U.S.C. 2030. This rule establishes 7 new special 
anchorage areas, and modifies 4 special anchorage areas already in 
existence, in San Diego Harbor, San Diego, California.

Discussion of Regulation

    The Coast Guard establishes 7 new special anchorage areas (A-1a, A-
1b, A-1c, A-4, A-6, A-8, & A-9), and modifies the 4 special anchorge 
areas already in existence (A-1, A-2, A-3, & A-5), in San Diego Harbor, 
San Diego, California, as follows:
    (A-1, A-1a, A-1b, A-1c) Shelter Island Moorings, North San Diego 
Bay, approximately 75 yards off shore and along Shelter Island (for A-
1, minor corrections to some of the coordinates describing the corner 
points of the special anchorage area),
    (A-2 America's Cup Harbor, North San Diego Bay, in the area known 
as Commercial Basin (minor corrections to some of the coordinates 
describing the corner points of the special anchorage area),
    (A-3) Laurel Street Roadstead Moorings, North San Diego Bay, east 
of the Coast Guard Activities installation (minor corrections to some 
of the coordinates describing the corner points of the special 
anchorage area),
    (A-4) Bay Bridge Roadstead Moorings, Central San Diego Bay, at the 
northwest end of the Coronado Bridge,
    (A-5) Glorietta Bay Anchorage, Central San Diego Bay, across the 
bay from Naval Amphibious Base (minor corrections to some of the 
coordinates describing the corner points of the special anchorage 
area),
    (A-6) Fiddlers Cove, South San Diego Bay, just south of the Naval 
Amphibious Base,
    (A-8) Sweetwater Anchorage, South San Diego Bay, west of 24th 
Street, Marine Terminal, and
    (A-9) Cruiser Anchorage, North San Diego Bay, west of the Coast 
Guard Activities installation.
    The primary users of these anchorages are recreational vessels, 
with the majority of them being long term users. Some of the anchorages 
are depicted on local charts, while all of them use buoys to delineate 
their boundaries. By establishing these areas as special anchorages, 
the requirement of displaying anchor lights and day shapes will be 
removed for vessels less than 20 meters in length.

Discussion of Comments

    No comments were received.

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 order. It 
has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget 
under that order.
    I 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 10(e) of 
the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This rule 
will impose no cost on vessel operators, it will have minimal impact on 
vessel traffic, and will provide more options to vessels desiring to 
anchor in San Diego Bay.

Small Entities

    Under 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., known as the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, the Coast Guard must consider whether this rule 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). Since the impact of this rule is expected 
to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies that 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that 
this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This rule imposes no collection of information requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Federalism

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

Environment

    This rule has been reviewed by the Coast Guard and determined to be 
categorically excluded from further environmental documentation in 
accordance with section 2.B.2 of Commandant Instruction M16475.1B. A 
Categorical Exclusion Determination and Environmental Analysis 
Checklist will be available for inspection and copying in the docket to 
be maintained at the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard amends part 110 
of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 110--[AMENDED]

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

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2030, 2035, 2071; 
49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 1.05-1(g).

    1. Section 110.90 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 110.90  San Diego Harbor, California.

    (a) Area A-1. In North San Diego Bay, the Shelter Island Yacht 
Basin Anchorage, the water area enclosed by a line beginning at 
latitude 32 deg.42'56.7'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'47.1'' W.; thence 
southwesterly to latitude 32 deg.42'53.6'' N., longitude 
117 deg.13'51.3'' W.; thence northwesterly to latitude 32 deg.43'01.3'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.13'59.1'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.43'02.6'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'55.5'' W.; thence 
southeasterly to latitude 32 deg.42'59.8'' N., longitude 
117 deg.13'50.4'' W.; thence southeasterly to the point of beginning.
    (b) Area A-1a. In North San Diego Bay, the Shelter Island Roadstead 
Anchorage east of Shelter Island, the water area 55 feet either side of 
a line beginning at latitude 32 deg.42'33.6'' N., longitude 
117 deg.13'48.3'' W.; thence

[[Page 16690]]

northeasterly to latitude 32 deg.42'36.0'' N., longitude 
117 deg.13'45.1'' W.
    (c) Area A-1b. The water area off Shelter Island's eastern shore, 
210 feet shoreward of a line beginning at latitude 32 deg.42'43.9'' N., 
longitude 117 deg.13'34.3'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.42'52.8'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'22.4'' W.
    (d) Area A-1c. The water area off Shelter Island's eastern shore, 
210 feet shoreward of a line beginning at latitude 32 deg.42'55.0'' N., 
longitude 117 deg.13'19.4'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.43'03.5'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'07.6'' W.
    (e) Area A-2. In North San Diego Bay, the America's Cup Harbor 
Anchorage, the water area enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 
32 deg.43'13.7'' N, longitude 117 deg.13'23.8'' W; thence northeasterly 
to latitude 32 deg.43'16.7'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'16.4'' W.; thence 
northwesterly to latitude 32 deg.43'22.6'' N., longitude 
117 deg.13'25.8'' W.; thence westerly to latitude 32 deg.43'22.5'' N., 
longitude 117 deg.13'29.6'' W.; thence southwesterly to latitude 
32 deg.43'19.0'' N., longitude 117 deg.13'32.6'' W.; thence 
southeasterly to the point of beginning.
    (f) Area A-3. In North San Diego Bay, the Laurel Street Roadstead 
Anchorage, the water area enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 
32 deg.43'30.5'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'28.5'' W.; thence 
southwesterly to latitude 32 deg.43'29.8'' N., longitude 
117 deg.10'34.2'' W.; thence southwesterly to latitude 32 deg.43'25.8'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.10'36.1'' W.; thence southerly to latitude 
32 deg.43'20.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'36.1'' W.; thence westerly to 
latitude 32 deg.43'20.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'52.9'' W.; thence 
northeasterly to 32 deg.43'29.8'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'48.0'' W., 
thence northeasterly following a line parallel to, and 200 feet bayward 
of, the shoreline of San Diego Bay adjoining Harbor Drive to the point 
of beginning.
    (g) Area A-4. In Central San Diego Bay, the Bay Bridge Roadstead 
Anchorage, the water area enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 
32 deg.41'32.1'' N., longitude 117 deg.09'43.1'' W.; thence 
southwesterly to latitude 32 deg.41'19.1'' N., longitude 
117 deg.09'46.1'' W.; thence southeasterly to latitude 32 deg.41'17.8'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.09'44.3'' W.; thence southeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.41'14.9'' N., longitude 117 deg.09'37.9'' W.; thence 
northeasterly to latitude 32 deg.41'26.9'' N., longitude 
117 deg.09'35.1'' W., thence southwesterly to the point of beginning.
    (h) Area A-5. In Central San Diego Bay, the Glorietta Bay 
Anchorage, the water area enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 
32 deg.40'42.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'03.1'' W.; thence 
southwesterly to latitude 32 deg.40'41.2'' N., longitude 
117 deg.10'06.6'' W.; thence northwesterly to latitude 32 deg.40'46.2'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.10'15.6'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.40'46.7'' N., longitude 117 deg.10'14.1'' W.; thence 
southeasterly to the point of beginning.
    (i) Area A-6. In Fiddler's Cove, the water enclosed by a line 
beginning at latitude 32 deg.39'10.4'' N., longitude 117 deg.08'49.4'' 
W.; thence northwesterly to latitude 32 deg.39'14.9'' N., longitude 
117 deg.08'51.8'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 32 deg.39'17.6'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.08'47.5'' W.; thence northwesterly to latitude 
32 deg.39'19.8'' N., longitude 117 deg.08'48.8'' W.; thence 
northeasterly to latitude 32 deg.39'24.4'' N., longitude 
117 deg.08'41.4'' W.; thence southeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.39'15.7''N., longitude 117 deg.08'36.0'' W.; thence 
southwesterly to the point of beginning.

    Note: This area is located on Federal property owned by the 
United States Navy, and it is reserved for active duty military, 
their dependents, retirees, and DOD employees only.

    (j) Area A-8. In South San Diego Bay, the Sweetwater Anchorage, the 
water enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 32 deg.39'12.2'' N., 
longitude 117 deg.07'45.1'' W.; thence easterly to latitude 
32 deg.39'12.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.07'30.1'' W.; thence southerly 
to latitude 32 deg.38'45.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.07'30.1'' W.; thence 
westerly to latitude 32 deg.38'45.2'' N., longitude 117 deg.07'45.1'' 
W.; thence northerly to the point of beginning.
    (k) Area A-9. In North San Diego Bay, the Cruiser Anchorage, the 
water enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 32 deg.43'35.9'' N., 
longitude 117 deg.11'06.2'' W.; thence southwesterly to latitude 
32 deg.43'31.5'' N., longitude 117 deg.11'13.2'' W.; thence 
southeasterly to latitude 32 deg.43'28.9'' N., longitude 
117 deg.11'11.0'' W.; thence southeasterly to latitude 32 deg.43'25.9'' 
N., longitude 117 deg.11'07.7'' W.; thence northeasterly to latitude 
32 deg.43'34.8'' N., longitude 117 deg.11'03.2'' W., thence 
northwesterly to the point of beginning. All coordinates in this 
section use Datum: NAD 83.

    Note: Mariners anchoring in these anchorages, excluding 
Anchorage A-6, should consult applicable local ordinances of the San 
Diego Unified Port District. Temporary floats or buoys for marking 
anchors are allowed. Fixed moorings, piles or stakes are prohibited. 
All moorings shall be positioned so that no vessel, when anchored, 
shall at any time extend beyond the limits of the area. See Captain 
of the Port Notice 6-97, a copy of which can be obtained by calling 
(619) 683-6495.

    Dated: March 20, 1998.
J.C. Card,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 98-8959 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M