[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5185-5186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2282]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0031]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
Albermarle Sound to Sunset Beach, Scotts Hill, NC

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 
Figure Eight Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
North Carolina Cut, mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC. Under this 
temporary deviation, the drawbridge may remain in the closed position 
on specific dates and times to facilitate mechanical gear replacement.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. on February 7, 2012, 
until 3 p.m. on February 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2012-0031 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0031 in the ``Keywords'' box, 
and then clicking ``Search''. This material is also available for 
inspection or copying 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. Jim Rousseau, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth 
Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6557.
    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 Figure Eight Beach Homeowners 
Association, who owns and operates the Figure Eight Swing Bridge across 
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), North Carolina Cut, mile 
278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a)(3), to 
accommodate mechanical gear replacement.
    Under the current operating schedule, the draw shall open on signal 
for commercial vessels at all times and open on signal for pleasure 
vessels except need only open for pleasure vessels on the hour and half 
hour. Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, across the North 
Carolina Cut in Scotts Hill, NC, has a vertical clearance in the closed 
position to vessels of 20 feet above mean high water. During this time 
of year approximately two vessels a day transits the area.
    To facilitate mechanical gear replacement, the drawbridge will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
on February 7 and 8, 2012. The mechanical gear replacement is scheduled 
for February 7, 2012. Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge 
will remain in the closed position to vessels requiring an opening from 
10 p.m. to 3 p.m. However, should weather preclude this work from 
taking place on February 7, 2012, the work will be re-scheduled to take 
place on February 8, 2012. In that case, the drawbridge will operate as 
normal on February 7, 2012 and the drawbridge will remain in the closed 
position to vessels requiring an opening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 
February 8, 2012.
    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 not be able to open in the event of an emergency. The 
Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the opening restrictions of the draw 
span to minimize transiting delays caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the draw must return to its 
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35.


[[Page 5186]]


    Dated: January 20, 2012.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-2282 Filed 2-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P