82 FR 39665 - Safety Zones; Ice Covered Waterways in the Fifth Coast Guard District

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 161 (August 22, 2017)

The Coast Guard is establishing 11 safety zones on certain navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District. This action is necessary to promote navigational safety, provide for the safety of life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of commerce where a threat to navigation exists due to ice covered waterways. This rule is intended to mitigate the potential threat ice poses to the maritime public in the Fifth Coast Guard District by implementing control measures on vessels operating in certain ice covered waterways.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39665-39671]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17748]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2015-0051]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zones; Ice Covered Waterways in the Fifth Coast Guard 
District

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing 11 safety zones on certain 
navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District. This action is 
necessary to promote navigational safety, provide for the safety of 
life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of commerce 
where a threat to navigation exists due to ice covered waterways. This 
rule is intended to mitigate the potential threat ice poses to the 
maritime public in the Fifth Coast Guard District by implementing 
control measures on vessels operating in certain ice covered waterways.

DATES: This rule is effective September 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2015-0051 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Mr. Doug Simpson, Fifth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 757-398-6346, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
RNA Regulated Navigation Area
SNPRM Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    On July 9, 2015, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) titled Regulated Navigation Area; Ice Covered 
Waterways in the Fifth Coast Guard District (80 FR 39403). The purpose 
of that proposed regulated navigation area (RNA) was to mitigate the 
aforementioned potential threat ice poses to the maritime public in the 
Fifth Coast Guard District by implementing control measures on vessels 
of certain characteristics. We invited comments on our proposed 
regulatory action related to that RNA. During the comment period that 
ended October 7, 2015, we received a total of six comments coming from 
six submitters. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.
    Based on consideration of the comments received in response to the 
NPRM and further analysis, the Coast Guard proposed to establish 11 
safety

[[Page 39666]]

zones on certain navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District 
instead of 1 RNA. On February 9, 2017, the Coast Guard published an 
SNPRM titled Safety Zones; Ice Covered Waterways in the Fifth Coast 
Guard District (82 FR 9978). There we stated why we issued the SNPRM, 
replied to the comments received in response to the NPRM, and invited 
comments on the proposed regulatory action. During the comment period 
on the SNPRM that ended April 10, 2017, we received a total of 11 
comments coming from four submitters. No public meeting was requested, 
and none was held.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Coast Guard has determined that during an average or severe 
winter, the presence of ice in waterways presents numerous hazards to 
vessels. Such hazards include vessels becoming beset or dragged off 
course, sinking or grounding and creating hazards to navigation. The 
presence of ice in a waterway may hamper a vessel's ability to maneuver 
and impose additional loads on a vessel's hull, propulsion system and 
appendages. Blockage of sea suctions can cause the main engine cooling 
system to overheat, requiring reduced power to be used or the engine to 
be shut down completely. Visual aids to navigation may become 
submerged, destroyed, or moved off station, potentially misleading the 
vessel operator to unsafe waters. Vessels operating in these hazardous 
conditions could introduce a clear and present danger to the maritime 
public and environment. The purpose of this rule is to mitigate the 
potential threat ice poses to the maritime public in the Fifth Coast 
Guard District by implementing control measures on vessels operating in 
certain ice covered waterways.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received 11 comments from four submitters on our 
SNPRM published February 9, 2017. One comment was generally supportive 
of the rule.
    In response to one comment, we changed the regulatory text that 
defined the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway to clarify the safety 
zone's northern boundaries. The safety zone's northern boundary uses 
the Fifth Coast Guard District's boundary as defined in 33 CFR 
80.501(b)-(c) and 80.502. We changed the rule to define a position for 
the entrance to Manasquan Inlet. We also changed the rule to define the 
southern boundary of the zone at Cape May Inlet, Cape May, NJ as it is 
defined in 33 CFR 80.502 (g). We did not define the width of safety 
zone in areas where the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway passes through 
open water areas, as the commenter requested. However, we changed the 
regulatory text to explicitly include the navigable waters Manasquan 
River at its tributaries, Metedeconk River and its tributaries, Toms 
River and Barnegat Bay and its tributaries, Mahahawkin Bay, Little Egg 
Harbor, Great Bay to Absecon Bay, Lakes Bay, Great Egg Harbor Bay, Peck 
Bay, Ludlam Bay, Townsend Sound, Stites Sound, Great Sound, Grassy 
Sound, Taylor Sound, Sunset Lake, Jarvis Sound and Cape May Harbor. The 
comment also requested we provide the horizontal Datum. We used NAD 83 
and changed the regulatory text of each safety zone to incorporate that 
reference.
    Two comments requested that the Coast Guard provide positions for 
the bridges that serve as boundaries for the Delaware River, Upper 
Delaware River, Baltimore Harbor and approaches, Chesapeake Channel to 
Cove Point, Chesapeake Channel between Cove Point and Smith Point, and 
Lower Potomac River, Potomac River, and the Upper Potomac River and 
Anacostia River zones. As a result, these positions were provided in 
the regulatory text where practical. The Coast Guard determined the 
positions by plotting the locations on National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) nautical charts for the following bridges: Betsy 
Ross (state route 90) fixed highway bridge, Trenton--Morrisville (state 
route 1) highway bridge, Governor Harry W. Nice (US-301) Memorial 
Bridge, Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge, the Francis Scott 
Key (US-29) Bridge, and the John Philip Sousa (Pennsylvania Avenue SE) 
Bridge. The William P. Lane, Jr (US-50/301) Memorial Bridge is curved, 
and we find it impractical to sufficiently define this boundary using 
latitude and longitude in this rule. Instead, the southern boundary of 
the Baltimore Harbor and approaches safety zone and the northern 
boundary of the Chesapeake Channel to Cove Point safety zone were 
changed to the southernmost edge of the east-bound span of the of the 
William P. Lane, Jr (US-50/301) Memorial Bridge.
    One comment requested that we describe the end and turning points 
of all the lines that run along the latitude parallel to another 
location. We changed the regulatory text of the following safety zones: 
Chesapeake Channel to Cove Point: Provided positions for the eastern 
and western extent of the southern boundary; Chesapeake Channel between 
Cove Point and Smith Point, and Lower Potomac: Provided positions for 
the eastern and western extent of the northern boundary, and the 
positions defining southern boundary across the Chesapeake Bay and 
Tangier Sound; Upper Potomac River and Anacostia River: Provided 
position for Hains Point; Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound: the 
positions defining the eastern and western extent of the northern 
boundary across the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound and the eastern 
and western extent of the southern boundary along latitude 
37[deg]45'00.0'' N.
    One comment proposed additional smaller zones, with the desire to 
minimize restriction in portions of the zones that are not impacted by 
ice. The Coast Guard does not agree with the addition of the proposed 
zones because the operational complexity and feasibility of enacting 
those zones is counter to public interest due to the significant amount 
of time it would take to effectively manage compliance. However, to 
address the comments, we changed the regulatory text in Sec.  
165.550(d)(1) to allow each COTP to set ice conditions for any zone in 
this rule, or a portion thereof. The COTP may choose not to activate an 
entire zone if the ice prevalence and thickness is limited in such a 
way it would be too burdensome to activate the entire zone.
    The same commenter stated that there are no provisions for Maryland 
Department of Natural Resources to request or obtain a waiver from the 
COTP for icebreaking operations. We changed the rule's definition of 
public vessels in response to this comment to mean vessels owned or 
bareboat chartered and operated by the United States, or by a State or 
political subdivision thereof, or by a foreign nation, except when such 
vessel is engaged in commercial service. Because this definition 
includes vessels engaged in law enforcement, we removed ``engaged in 
law enforcement'' from paragraph (d)(1).
    An anonymous comment asserted that the Coast Guard did not evaluate 
the impact of a ``business as usual approach'' as an alternative to 
this rule. We do not agree with this assertion because the existing 
means by which the Coast Guard restricted vessel operations in ice 
covered waterways was specifically addressed in the NPRM and SNPRM (82 
FR 9978). As stated in the SNPRM, permanent safety zones are the most 
appropriate from a regulatory perspective and will ensure consistency 
throughout the Fifth Coast Guard District. Furthermore, as stated in 
the SNPRM, the Coast Guard finds relying

[[Page 39667]]

solely on the authority provided by 33 CFR part 6 is not feasible when 
ice presents hazardous conditions. Sole reliance on this authority 
involving the protection and security of vessels, harbors, and 
waterfront facilities would require the COTP to take individual action 
against every vessel desiring to operate in the area, which is counter 
to public interest due to the significant amount of time it would take 
to issue and administer an effective amount of orders.
    The same anonymous commenter stated that the Coast Guard did not 
adequately address ``biophysical impacts,'' details of the ``obvious 
cultural and social impacts'' to recreational activities on the water, 
environmental justice, and economic impacts of alternatives to the 
proposed rule. The comment was vague and lacked sufficient supporting 
information needed to determine its validity. We were unable to obtain 
clarification from this anonymous commenter regarding the various 
issues mentioned, but the Coast Guard believes this rule remains as one 
that is a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively 
have a significant effect on the human environment, and the analysis 
supporting this determination is available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES. Similarly, one commenter stated that these 
regulations would have an impact on persons who make a living by 
fishing, crabbing, and oystering on the Chesapeake Bay that act as 
small businesses. The Coast Guard received no comments from the Small 
Business Administration on this rulemaking, and the Coast Guard 
certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    One comment stated, ``Depending on which shoreline is being used 
for measurement, a percentage value of coverage may vary considerably, 
which will affect which areas are selected for closure. It is not known 
which shoreline standard is being used . . .'' In the context of this 
rule, the shoreline is the extent of navigable waters as they are 
defined in 33 CFR part 2. We replaced the term shoreline with the term 
``the extent of navigable waters'' to clarify the physical reference 
point from which ice accumulation will be measured for the purposes of 
enforcing the rule. The zones cover large geographic areas so that a 
disproportionate amount of ice accumulation along a shoreline will not 
have an impact on when the Ice Conditions are set. To clarify the 
jurisdictional extents of the safety zones, the term ``and its 
tributaries'' was added to Delaware Bay, Delaware River, and Upper 
Delaware River zones.
    The same commenter expressed concern that the measurement errors or 
tolerance that would affect timings of ``closure events'' is unknown. 
No changes were made to this rule based on this comment. The Coast 
Guard finds it reasonable to expect that vessel operators can discern 
between the ice prevalence and thicknesses that are listed in the 
regulatory text in order to determine when restrictions are in place. 
The Coast Guard has consistently received reliable and accurate reports 
of ice conditions from these same vessel operators in the past. 
Furthermore, as stated in the regulatory text, the COTP can notify 
mariners of Ice Conditions and associated restrictions via Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners and other methods described in 33 CFR 165.7. Vessel 
operators that encounter ice covered waterways and are uncertain if the 
zone is in effect may contact the cognizant COTP to determine the 
waterway status.
    The same commenter asked for a list of ``protected waters'' and 
their boundary coordinates. This rule defines ``protected waters'' as, 
``sheltered waters such as harbors or basins that present no special 
hazards.'' This term is used in this regulation so ``vessels may 
transit within protected waters to facilitate icebreaking operations 
and protect infrastructure and property without COTP permission.'' The 
commenter specifically asked if contractors moving work barges around 
bridges would be considered as operating in protected waters and if 
fishermen attempting to recover nets or other fisheries gear would be 
considered as protecting infrastructure or property. No changes were 
made based on this comment. It is not feasible for the Coast Guard to 
provide a list of activity in every area that could be considered 
``protected waters'' in this rule because the conclusion would vary 
depending on the vessel, environment, nature of the activity, and 
infrastructure present at the time the Ice Condition is in effect. The 
Coast Guard concludes that the present definition provides sufficient 
parameters that will promote navigational safety, provide for the 
safety of life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of 
commerce.
    Finally, one commenter requested the Coast Guard institute a 
process whereby the final rule is subject to future review and comment 
by industry stakeholders at regular intervals to ensure that it remains 
appropriate to current conditions. The Coast Guard will monitor the 
effectiveness when executing and enforcing the rule, and ensures that 
our agency will engage in proper notice-and-comment procedures if we 
see a need to change the rule.
    This rule establishes 11 safety zones on the navigable waters of 
the Fifth Coast Guard District. This imposes restrictions on vessels 
operating within the safety zones or a portion of the zones where a 
threat to navigation exists due to ice covered waterways. Vessels 
transiting in protected waters, such as within a marina, harbor or 
basin, for the purposes of facilitating icebreaking operations and 
protecting infrastructure and property would be exempt from the 
controls. Vessels capable of operating in the prevailing ice condition 
outside of protected waters may be allowed to operate within the safety 
zones if granted permission by the cognizant COTP.
    Under this rule, a vessel needs permission from the cognizant COTP 
or the District Commander to enter or continue transiting a zone if, 
when approaching or after entering a safety zone, the vessel encounters 
ice of a given thickness, unless the COTP or the District Commander has 
set an ice condition for the zone or a portion of the zone and the 
vessel meets the associated requirements to transit the zone. 
Descriptions of the three ice conditions and vessel requirements to 
transit are listed below. Under:
     Condition One, when 30 percent of a zone is reported 
covered with ice 1 to 3 inches thick, only steel hull vessels would be 
allowed to transit the zone;
     Condition Two, when 30 to 90 percent of a zone is reported 
covered with ice 3 to 9 inches thick, only steel hull vessels with a 
1,500 minimum shaft horsepower and a main engine cooling system design 
that prevents blockage from ice would be allowed to transit the zone; 
and
     Condition Three, when 90 percent or more of a zone is 
reported covered with ice 9 inches thick, only steel hull vessels with 
a 1,500 minimum shaft horsepower and a main engine cooling system 
design that prevents blockage from ice in a vessel convoy would be 
allowed to transit the zone.
    For non-steel-hull vessels, entry into or continuing to transit the 
zone is prohibited without permission from the cognizant COTP or 
District Commander if, when approaching the zone or after entering the 
safety zone, the vessel encounters ice of \1/2\-inch or more in 
thickness. When this thickness of ice is reached in a zone, non-steel 
hull vessels moored or docked in the zone need not exit the zone, but 
these vessels may not transit the zone without permission of the 
cognizant COTP or District Commander. There is an exemption for vessels 
that need to transit in protected

[[Page 39668]]

waters, such as within a marina, harbor, or basin, to facilitate 
icebreaking operations and protect infrastructure and property. The 
regulatory text appears at the end of this document.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive Orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13771 directs 
agencies to control regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This 
rule has not been designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under 
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance 
it is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on our assessment 
that although this regulation could limit or prevent marine traffic 
from transiting certain waterways in the Fifth Coast Guard District, 
the effect of this regulation would not be significant because there is 
little vessel traffic associated with recreational boating and 
commercial fishing during enforcement periods. The Coast Guard 
anticipates implementing control measures for limited durations of 
time. The cognizant COTP will make notifications of the regulated areas 
to the maritime public via Broadcast Notice to Mariners so mariners can 
adjust their plans accordingly. Moreover, vessel traffic capable of 
operating in such conditions will be allowed to enter into or transit 
within the safety zones as specified by the cognizant COTP.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations 
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000. The Coast Guard received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 
U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
regulated areas may be small entities, for the reasons stated in 
section V.A above, this rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will not call for a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive 
Order13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on 
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. If 
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Act) (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this 
action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This 
rule involves establishing safety zones. Normally such actions are 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An environmental analysis 
checklist and a Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) supporting 
this determination are available in the docket where indicated under 
ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the 
discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that 
your message can be received without

[[Page 39669]]

jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or vessels.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.550 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.550   Safety Zones; Ice covered waterways within the Fifth 
Coast Guard District.

    (a) Regulated areas. The following areas are established as safety 
zones:
    (1) Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay--COTP Zone. (i) Delaware Bay: 
All navigable waters of Delaware Bay and Delaware River in an area 
bound to the south by a line drawn across the entrance to Delaware Bay, 
commencing at Cape May Light (LLNR 155) latitude 38[deg]55'59'' N., 
longitude 074[deg]57'37'' W.; thence southwest to Cape Henlopen, 
latitude 38[deg]48'20.3'' N., longitude 075[deg]05'44.5'' W. The 
regulated area is bound to the north by a line drawn across the 
Delaware River, commencing at Liston Point, DE, latitude 
39[deg]25'03.07'' N., longitude 075[deg]32'25.5'' W.; thence northeast 
to the extent of navigable waters at Hope Creek Jetty, latitude 
39[deg]27'05.04'' N., longitude 075[deg]30'12.55'' W. (Datum NAD 83)
    (ii) Delaware River: All navigable waters of Delaware River and its 
tributaries, in an area bound to the south by a line drawn across the 
Delaware River, commencing at Liston Point, DE, latitude 
39[deg]25'03.07'' N., longitude 075[deg]32'25.5'' W.; thence northeast 
to the extent of navigable waters at Hope Creek Jetty, latitude 
39[deg]27'05.04'' N., longitude 075[deg]30'12.55'' W., including the 
navigable waters of the Salem River, Christina River, and Schuylkill 
River. The regulated area is bound to the north by a line drawn across 
the Delaware River at the Betsy Ross (state route 90) fixed highway 
bridge from latitude 39[deg]59'10.43'' N, longitude 075[deg]04'11.03'' 
W to latitude 39[deg]58'58.65'' N., longitude 075[deg]03'43.23'' W. 
(Datum NAD 83)
    (iii) Upper Delaware River: All navigable waters of Delaware River 
and its tributaries in an area bound to the south by a line drawn 
across the Delaware River at the Betsy Ross (state route 90) fixed 
highway bridge from latitude 39[deg]59'10.43'' N., longitude 
075[deg]04'11.03'' W. to latitude 39[deg]58'58.65'' N., longitude 
075[deg]03'43.23'' W. The regulated area is bound to the north by a 
line drawn across the Delaware River at the Trenton--Morrisville (state 
route 1) highway bridge from latitude 40[deg]12'29.86'' N., longitude 
074[deg]46'11.00'' W. to latitude 40[deg]12'34.93'' N., longitude 
74[deg]46'00.63'' W. (Datum NAD 83)
    (iv) New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway: All navigable waters of New 
Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW), bounded by the area defined by 33 
CFR 80.501(b)-(c) and Sec.  80.502, commencing at the entrance to 
Manasquan Inlet at latitude 40[deg]06'03'' N., longitude 74[deg]01'55'' 
W., continuing the entire length of NJICW to include the navigable 
waters Manasquan River at its tributaries, Metedeconk River and its 
tributaries, Toms River and Barnegat Bay and its tributaries, 
Mahahawkin Bay, Little Egg Harbor, Great Bay to Absecon Bay, Lakes Bay, 
Great Egg Harbor Bay, Peck Bay, Ludlam Bay, Townsend Sound, Stites 
Sound, Great Sound, Grassy Sound, Taylor Sound, Sunset Lake, Jarvis 
Sound and Cape May Harbor. This regulated area terminates in the east 
at line drawn across the seaward extremity of Cape May Inlet, Cape May, 
NJ and in the west at line drawn across the entrance to the Cape May 
Canal from latitude 38[deg]58'03.72'' N., longitude 074[deg]58'00.00'' 
W. to latitude 38[deg]57'57.00'' N., longitude 074[deg]58'00.80'' W. 
(Datum NAD 83)
    (2) Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region- COTP Zone. 
(i) Head of Chesapeake Bay to C&D Canal: All navigable waters of the 
Upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, bound to the north by a line 
drawn from Hylands Point, MD, latitude 39[deg]30'18'' N., longitude 
075[deg]55'37'' W.; thence east across Elk River to the shoreline at 
Old Town Point Wharf, MD, latitude 39[deg]30'11.3'' N., longitude 
075[deg]54'57.1'' W. The regulated area is bound to the south by a line 
drawn across the Chesapeake Bay, commencing at North Point, MD, 
latitude 39[deg]11'43.7'' N., longitude 076[deg]26'32.8'' W.; thence 
east to the extent of navigable waters at Swan Point, latitude 
39[deg]08'41.7'' N., longitude 076[deg]16'42.4'' W. (Datum NAD 83)
    (ii) Baltimore Harbor and approaches: All navigable waters of the 
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, bound to the north by a line drawn 
across the Chesapeake Bay, commencing at North Point, MD, latitude 
39[deg]11'43.7'' N., longitude 076[deg]26'32.8'' W.; thence east to the 
shoreline at Swan Point, latitude 39[deg]08'41.7'' N., longitude 
076[deg]16'42.4'' W. The regulated area is bound to the south by the 
southernmost edge of the east-bound span of the William P. Lane, Jr 
(US-50/301) Memorial Bridge. (Datum NAD 83)
    (iii) Chesapeake Channel to Cove Point: All navigable waters of the 
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, bound to the north by the 
southernmost edge of the east-bound span of the William P. Lane, Jr 
(US-50/301) Memorial Bridge. The regulated area is bound to the south 
by a line drawn across the Chesapeake Bay commencing in Cove Point in 
Calvert County, MD at latitude 38[deg]23'10.5'' N., longitude 
076[deg]22'52.9''W. and ending at a point in Meekins Neck at latitude 
38[deg]23'14.9'' N., longitude 076[deg]16'48.3'' W. (Datum NAD 83)
    (iv) Chesapeake Channel between Cove Point and Smith Point, and 
Lower Potomac River: All navigable waters of Chesapeake Bay and its 
tributaries, bound to the north by a line drawn across the Chesapeake 
Bay commencing in Cove Point in Calvert County, MD at latitude 
38[deg]23'10.5'' N., longitude 076[deg]22'52.9'' W. and ending at a 
point in Meekins Neck at latitude 38[deg]23'10.5'' N., longitude 
076[deg]16'48.3'' W.; and all navigable waters of the Potomac River 
bound to the north by a line drawn across the Potomac River at the 
Governor Harry W. Nice (US-301) Memorial Bridge from latitude 
38[deg]21'33.30'' N., longitude 077[deg]00'51.41''W. to latitude 
38[deg]21'48.22'' N., longitude 76[deg]58'59.83'' W., connecting King 
George County, VA and Charles County, MD. (Datum NAD 83)
    (v) Potomac River: All navigable waters of the Potomac River, bound 
to the north by a line drawn across the Potomac River at the Woodrow 
Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge from latitude 38[deg]47'32.38'' N., 
longitude 077[deg]02'22.15'' W. to latitude 38[deg]47'33.83'' N., 
longitude 077[deg]01'30.58'' W., connecting Alexandria, VA and Prince 
George's County, MD. The regulated area is bound to the south by a line 
drawn across the Potomac River at the Governor Harry W. Nice (US-301) 
Memorial Bridge from latitude 38[deg]21'33.30'' N., longitude 
077[deg]00'51.41''W. to latitude 38[deg]21'48.22'' N., longitude 
76[deg]58'59.83'' W., connecting King George County, VA and Charles 
County, MD. (Datum NAD 83)
    (vi) Upper Potomac River and Anacostia River: All navigable waters 
of the Potomac River, bound to the north by a line drawn across the 
Potomac River at the Francis Scott Key (US-29) Bridge from latitude 
38[deg]54'03.51'' N.,

[[Page 39670]]

longitude 077[deg]04'13.18'' W. to latitude 38[deg]54'13.68'' N., 
longitude 077[deg]04'08.46'' W., connecting Rosslyn, VA and Georgetown, 
Washington, DC, and bound to the south by a line drawn across the 
Potomac River at the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge from 
latitude 38[deg]47'32.38'' N., longitude 077[deg]02'22.15'' W. to 
latitude 38[deg]47'33.83'' N., longitude 077[deg]01'30.58'' W., 
connecting Alexandria, VA and Prince George's County, MD. All navigable 
waters of Anacostia River and Washington Channel bound to the north by 
a line drawn across the Anacostia River at the John Philip Sousa 
(Pennsylvania Avenue SE) Bridge, latitude 38[deg]52'38.97'' N., 
longitude 076[deg]58'46.48'' W. to latitude 38[deg]52'34.08'' N., 
longitude 076[deg]58'36.61'' W. and bound to the south by a line drawn 
across the mouth of the Anacostia River, from Hains Point at latitude 
38[deg] 51' 24.34'' N., longitude 077[deg] 1' 20.14'' W., south across 
Anacostia River Channel to Giesboro Point at latitude 38[deg]50'51'' 
N., longitude 077[deg]01'14'' W. at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling 
military installation. (Datum NAD 83)
    (3) Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads--COTP Zone--(i) Chesapeake Bay 
and Tangier Sound: All navigable waters of Chesapeake Bay, and its 
tributaries, bound to the north by a line drawn along the Maryland-
Virginia boundary, commencing in Virginia at latitude 37[deg]53'11'' 
N., longitude 76[deg]14'15'' W., thence east along the Maryland-
Virginia boundary as it proceeds across the Chesapeake Bay and Pocomoke 
River, ending at the point latitude 37[deg]59'39.8'' N., longitude 
75[deg]37'27.4'' W. The regulated area is bound to the south by a line 
drawn across the Chesapeake Bay along latitude 37[deg]45'00.0'' N., 
commencing in Northumberland County, VA at latitude 37[deg]45'00.00'' 
N., longitude 76[deg]18'44.32'' W. and ending in Chesconessex, in 
Accomack County, VA at latitude 37[deg]45'00.00'' N., longitude 
75[deg]48'39.53''W. (Datum NAD 83)
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section:
    Convoy means a group of vessels led by U.S. Coast Guard assets or 
COTP-designated vessels to assist vessels moving through the ice.
    COTP means the Coast Guard Captain of the Port with jurisdiction 
over the geographic area as defined in 33 CFR subpart 3.25.
    Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the cognizant COTP 
to assist in enforcing the safety zones described in paragraph (a) of 
this section.
    Horsepower means the total maximum continuous shaft horsepower of a 
vessel's main propulsion machinery.
    Ice Condition One means when the COTP or District Commander has 
received reports that approximately 30 percent of a safety zone defined 
in paragraph (a) has been covered with ice whose thickness is 
approximately 1 to 3 inches.
    Ice Condition Two means when the COTP or District Commander has 
received reports that approximately 30 percent to 90 percent of a 
safety zone defined in paragraph (a) has been covered with ice whose 
thickness is approximately 3 to 9 inches.
    Ice Condition Three means when the COTP or District Commander has 
received reports that approximately 90 percent or more of a safety zone 
defined in paragraph (a) has been covered with ice whose thickness is 9 
inches or thicker.
    Protected waters means sheltered waters such as harbors or basins 
that present no special hazards.
    Public vessel means vessels owned or bareboat chartered and 
operated by the United States, or by a State or political subdivision 
thereof, or by a foreign nation, except when such vessel is engaged in 
commercial service.
    (c) Regulations--(1) Non-steel hull vessels. Non-steel hull vessels 
may not enter or transit within a safety zone described in paragraph 
(a) of this section without permission from the cognizant COTP or 
District Commander if, when approaching the zone or after entering the 
zone, the vessel encounters ice of \1/2\-inch or more in thickness. 
When ice in a zone is \1/2\-inch thick or more, non-steel hull vessels 
moored or docked in the zone need not exit the zone. Except for as 
described in paragraph (d)(4), non-steel hull vessels may not enter or 
transit the zone without permission of the cognizant COTP or District 
Commander.
    (2) Steel hull vessels. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section, steel hull vessels may not enter or transit within a 
safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section without 
permission from the cognizant COTP or District Commander in the 
following circumstances:
    (i) The vessel has less than 1,500 minimum shaft horsepower and 
encounters ice 1 inch or more thick.
    (ii) The vessel has a 1,500 minimum shaft horsepower and a main 
engine cooling system design that prevents blockage from ice and 
encounters ice 3 inches or more thick.
    (iii) The vessel is part of a vessel convoy and has a 1,500 minimum 
shaft horsepower and a main engine cooling system design that prevents 
blockage from ice and encounters ice 9 inches or more thick.
    (d) Permission to enter or transit. (1) The COTP may set ice 
conditions, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, for any zone 
described in paragraph (a) of this section, or a portion thereof, and 
announce those conditions via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and other 
methods described in 33 CFR 165.7. Steel hull vessels prohibited from 
entering or transiting a safety zone under paragraph (c) of this 
section may nonetheless enter or continue transiting the safety zone 
without contacting the COTP if the vessel is a public vessel or the 
COTP has set an ice condition for the safety zone and the vessel meets 
these restrictions:
    (i) Ice Condition One. Only steel hull vessels may enter, operate 
in, or transit though a safety zone when Ice Condition One has been set 
for that zone.
    (ii) Ice Condition Two. Only steel hull vessels with a 1,500 
minimum shaft horsepower and a main engine cooling system design that 
prevents blockage from ice, may enter, operate in, or transit though a 
safety zone when Ice Condition Two has been set for that zone.
    (iii) Ice Condition Three. Only steel hull vessels with a 1,500 
minimum shaft horsepower and a main engine cooling system design that 
prevents blockage from ice, and that are part of a vessel convoy, may 
enter, operate in, or transit though a safety zone when Ice Condition 
Three has been set for that zone. These vessels may only transit an Ice 
Condition Three zone during daylight hours.
    (2) Vessels prohibited from entering or transiting a safety zone 
under paragraph (c) of this section may request permission to enter or 
continue transiting by contacting the cognizant COTP on VHF-FM channel 
16 (156.8 MHZ) or via telephone, as follows:
    (i) COTP Delaware Bay: 215-271-4940.
    (ii) COTP Maryland-National Capital Region: 410-576-2693.
    (iii) COTP Hampton Roads: 757-483-8567.
    (3) Vessels granted permission to enter, operate in, or transit 
though a safety zone must do so in accordance with the directions 
provided by the cognizant COTP or designated representative.
    (4) Vessels may transit within protected waters to facilitate 
icebreaking

[[Page 39671]]

operations and protect infrastructure and property without COTP 
permission.
    (e) Enforcement. The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can 
be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHZ). The 
cognizant COTP and his or her designated representatives can be 
contacted at telephone number listed in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section.

    Dated: August 2, 2017.
Meredith L. Austin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-17748 Filed 8-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P