[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51469-51470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20913]


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 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0723]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Northeast Cape Fear River, 
Wilmington, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across the 
Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC. This deviation 
is necessary to facilitate the annual Beach2Battleship Iron and Half-
Iron Distance Triathlons. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in 
the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 
17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0723], is 
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the 
``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the 
line associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757)

[[Page 51470]]

398-6222, email [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing 
the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations 
set out in 33 CFR 117.829(a), to facilitate the annual Beach2Battleship 
Iron and Half-Iron Distance Triathlons.
    Under the normal operating schedule for the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge 
across the Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC in 33 
CFR 117.829(a); the draw will be closed to pleasure craft from 6 a.m. 
to 6 p.m. every day except at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the draw will 
open for all waiting vessels; the draw will open on signal for 
Government and commercial vessels at all times; the draw will open for 
all vessels on signal from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed-to-navigation position of 40 feet above mean 
high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be closed to 
navigation from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 17, 2015. The Northeast 
Cape Fear River is used by a variety of vessels including small 
commercial fishing vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge. The 
Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with commercial 
and recreational waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and 
there is no alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the 
bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the 
users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that 
vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by 
the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: August 19, 2015.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-20913 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
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