[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29242]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0226]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
S168 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and 
Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), VA. This 
deviation is necessary to accommodate the annual Christmas parade 
event.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 4 p.m. on December 3, 2011 
through 9 p.m. on December 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2011-0226 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0226 in the ``Keyword'' box, 
and then clicking ``Search''. This material is also available for 
inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Mr. Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge Administrator, Fifth 
Coast Guard District; telephone (757) 398-6222, email 
[email protected]. If you have questions on reviewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, (202) 
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Chesapeake, who owns and 
operates the S168 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal mile 12.0, at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), 
VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.997(g), to accommodate the annual 
Christmas parade event. Normally, the bridge opens on signal; except 
that, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw need be opened only on the hour 
or, if the vessel cannot reach the draw exactly on the hour, the 
drawtender may delay the hourly opening up to ten minutes past the 
hour.
    In the closed position to vessels, this lift-type drawbridge 
provides a vertical clearance of 8.5 feet, above mean high water.
    The Chesapeake annual Christmas parade event is scheduled for 
December 3, 2011. Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will 
remain in the closed position to vessels requiring an opening from 4 
p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on December 3, 2011. And, 
operations on December 4, 2011 will take place as set out in 33 CFR 
117.997(g). However, should weather preclude this event from taking 
place on December 3, 2011, the event will be re-scheduled to take place 
on December 4, 2011. In that case, the drawbridge will operate as 
normal on December 3, 2011 and the drawbridge will remain in the closed 
position to vessels requiring an opening from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 4, 2011. At all other times during the 
effective period of this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will 
operate as outlined at 33 CFR 117.997(g).
    Vessels may transit under the drawbridge while it is in the closed 
position. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway caters to a variety of 
vessels from tug and barge traffic to recreational vessels traveling 
from Florida to Maine. The Coast Guard will inform unexpected users of 
the waterway through our local and broadcast Notices to Mariners of the 
limited operating schedule for the drawbridge so that vessels can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary 
deviation. The Atlantic Ocean is the alternate route for vessels and 
the bridge will be able to open in the event of an emergency.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the draw must return to its 
original operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 19, 2011.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.
Bridge Program Manager, By direction of the Commander, Fifth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-29242 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P