[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 237 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 89007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29554]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1023]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Annisquam River and Blynman 
Canal, Gloucester, MA

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 Blynman (SR127) Bridge across the 
Annisquam River and Blynman Canal at mile 0.0 at Gloucester, MA. The 
deviation is necessary due to the construction of a new operator's 
house. This deviation allows the bridge to be opened with a two hour 
advanced notice during the hours of 8 p.m. through 4 a.m. from December 
6, 2016 through April 30, 2017.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from December 
9, 2016 through 4 a.m. on April 30, 2017. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from December 6, 2016, until 
December 9, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-1023] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jeffrey Stieb, First Coast Guard 
District Bridge Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 617-223-8364, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Blynman (SR 127) Bridge across the 
Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, mile 0.0, at Gloucester, 
Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8.2 
feet at mean high water and 16 feet at mean low water. The existing 
bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.586. The owner of 
the bridge, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, requested a 
temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to open on 
signal after at least a two-hour advance notice is provided between the 
hours of 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for the period of December 6, 2016 through 
April 30, 2017.
    The settling of the operator's house has rendered the structure 
unsafe for occupancy. As a result, a temporary control system in a 
temporary booth has been installed. Electricians from a private 
contractor are required to operate the temporary control system at an 
extraordinary high cost to the bridge owner. The deviation will have 
negligible effect on vessel navigation. The waterways are transited 
primarily by seasonal recreation vessels of various sizes. Bridge 
records indicate an average of less than three requests for openings 
per month occurred during the hours covered by this deviation. The 
Coast Guard contacted local waterway users regarding the Commonwealth's 
request for a temporary deviation and received no objections.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open immediately for 
emergencies. However, the northern entrance to the Annisquam River can 
be used as an alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the 
bridge in closed position. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the 
waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the 
change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators 
can arrange their transits to minimize any impact 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: December 6, 2016.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-29554 Filed 12-8-16; 8:45 am]
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