82 FR 9978 - Safety Zones; Ice Covered Waterways in the Fifth Coast Guard District

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 26 (February 9, 2017)

On July 9, 2015, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a regulated navigation area (RNA) on the navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District to allow the Coast Guard to impose and enforce restrictions on vessels operating within the RNA where a threat to navigation exists due to ice covered waterways. Based on consideration of the comments received in response to that NPRM and further analysis, the Coast Guard is now proposing to establish 11 safety zones on certain navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District instead of 1 RNA. This action is necessary to promote navigational safety, provide for the safety of life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of commerce when navigation safety is threatened due to ice covered waterways. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 26 (Thursday, February 9, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9978-9982]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02702]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 26 / Thursday, February 9, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 9978]]


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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: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: On July 9, 2015, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a regulated navigation area 
(RNA) on the navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District to 
allow the Coast Guard to impose and enforce restrictions on vessels 
operating within the RNA where a threat to navigation exists due to ice 
covered waterways. Based on consideration of the comments received in 
response to that NPRM and further analysis, the Coast Guard is now 
proposing to establish 11 safety zones on certain navigable waters of 
the Fifth Coast Guard District instead of 1 RNA. This action is 
necessary to promote navigational safety, provide for the safety of 
life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of commerce 
when navigation safety is threatened due to ice covered waterways. We 
invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before April 10, 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 LCDR Tiffany Johnson, Fifth Coast Guard District, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-6516, 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, Purpose, and Legal Basis

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The purpose of this proposed regulation 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. 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.

B. Discussion of Comments on NPRM and Changes

    On July 9, 2015, the Coast Guard published an 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.
    Five comments assert that there is no need for this rule because 
existing Coast Guard methods for ensuring vessel safety are adequate 
given the practices they have witnessed while operating in the Fifth 
Coast Guard District in the past. The Coast Guard disagrees that no 
rule is needed to implement and enforce restrictions on vessels 
operating where a threat to navigation exists due to ice covered 
waterways. In the past, Captains of the Ports (COTP) in the Fifth Coast 
Guard District ensured navigation and vessel safety in ice-covered 
waterways by establishing temporary safety zones or using other COTP 
authorities.
    This proposed rule would establish 11 permanent safety zones and 
eliminate the need for the Coast Guard to publish several temporary 
final rules throughout future ice seasons. The safety zones proposed in 
this SNPRM are the most appropriate from a regulatory perspective and 
will ensure consistency throughout the Fifth Coast Guard District. 
While the regulatory method may be different, the effect on the 
regulated public is largely the same in that there will be restrictions 
on navigating based upon prevailing ice conditions and vessel hull, 
propulsion, sea suction and appendage characteristics.
    One comment specifically stated that the Coast Guard already has 
sufficient authority to control vessel movements under 33 CFR part 6, 
and therefore the proposed RNA is not needed. The Coast Guard finds 
relying 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 individualized 
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.
    Two comments noted that the decision to transit an ice-covered

[[Page 9979]]

waterway is best made by an operator that is aware of the prevalent ice 
conditions and the proposed RNA is not needed. In addition to the 
aforementioned reasons why this rule is needed, the COTP considers the 
holistic risk on the waterway when restricting maritime traffic due to 
ice-related hazards, which is not the responsibility of any individual 
vessel or class of vessels. In fact, despite vessel restrictions being 
in place in March of 2015, two commercial vessels operating in the 
Fifth Coast Guard District during that time were negatively affected by 
ice, resulting in an emergency condition onboard that presented a risk 
to other operators and the surrounding marine environment. This SNPRM 
proposed rule would afford vessels operators that believe they can 
safety operate in the prevailing conditions the opportunity to request 
permission from the COTP to deviate from the restrictions.
    Three comments expressed concern regarding the burden this 
regulation would place on the Coast Guard. The safety zones established 
by this proposed rule would eliminate the need for the Coast Guard to 
publish several temporary final rules to establish safety zones 
throughout future periods of ice accumulation. The Coast Guard also 
concluded that the notification activities associated with this rule do 
not place any additional burden on the Coast Guard when compared with 
implementing other COTP control measures. Furthermore, this regulation 
would be a permanent rule, would provide for public participation in 
the rulemaking process, and would establish uniform ice condition 
control measures to be implemented in the Fifth Coast Guard District to 
facilitate safe navigation.
    One comment received posited the proposed RNA would result in undue 
economic hardship for commercial vessels. The Coast Guard weighs many 
factors in its decision to restrict vessel operations in a waterway, 
specifically focused on ensuring the safe, secure, and environmentally 
sound transportation of people, goods, and material by water. The Coast 
Guard has and will continue to use all available resources to safely 
and efficiently monitor the conditions of the designated waters of the 
safety zones to minimize impact to waterway users.
    Two comments were received that the geographic area defined in the 
NPRM would be difficult for the Coast Guard to implement or enforce due 
its size. As stated in this SNPRM, the proposed regulated area has been 
delineated into 11 safety zones rather than 1 RNA. The cognizant COTPs 
enforce a wide array of control measures in these same geographic 
areas.
    An anonymous commenter focused on North Carolina waters in the 
Fifth Coast Guard District. That person's comment recommended that 
regulators consider inland ponds, streams, marshes, rivers, lakes, 
reservoirs, and other waters, and concluded that the rule proposed in 
the NPRM--which would cover all navigable waters in the Fifth Coast 
Guard District, including those in North Carolina--appears redundant, 
and difficult to interpret or enforce outside of major seaport areas in 
North Carolina. We were unable to obtain clarification from this 
anonymous commenter regarding the desired consideration to be applied 
to the various waters mentioned, but we believe this SNPRM, which does 
not propose to regulate any North Carolina waters, addresses this 
commenter's concerns.
    Upon review of the comments and further analysis, the Coast Guard 
is proposing to change the regulatory method by which control measures 
would be implemented from 1 regulated navigation area to 11 safety 
zones throughout the navigable waters of the Fifth Coast Guard 
District. The Coast Guard proposes this rulemaking under authority in 
33 U.S.C. 1231.

III. Discussion of SNPRM Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would establish 11 safety zones on the navigable 
waters of the Fifth Coast Guard District. We have placed an 
illustration of these safety zones in the docket for this rulemaking. 
This proposed rule would allow the Coast Guard to impose and enforce 
restrictions on vessels operating within the safety zones where a 
threat to navigation exists due to ice covered waterways. This action 
is necessary to promote navigational safety, provide for the safety of 
life and property, and facilitate the reasonable demands of commerce. 
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 proposed rule, a vessel would need 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 and the vessel 
meets the associated requirements to transit the zone. Here is a 
description of the three ice conditions and vessels requirements to 
transit. 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 would be 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 
hulled 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 would be an exemption for 
vessels that need to transit in protected waters, such as within a 
marina, harbor, or basin, to facilitate icebreaking operations and 
protect infrastructure and property. The regulatory text we are 
proposing appears at the end of this document.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive 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

[[Page 9980]]

harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This proposed rule has 
not been designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under 
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget.
    Although this proposed 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 only having to implement 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 certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this 
proposed rule would 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 IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 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. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that 
question or complain about this proposed 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 Order 
13132.
    Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would 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 proposed 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 (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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed 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. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist 
supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion 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 proposed 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 jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places or vessels.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the 
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal 
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal 
Register (70 FR 15086).

[[Page 9981]]

    Documents mentioned in this SNPRM as being available in the docket, 
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.

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 proposes 
to amend 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 waters of Delaware Bay and Delaware River, shoreline to shoreline, 
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 shoreline at Hope Creek Jetty, latitude 
39[deg]27'05.04'' N., longitude 075[deg]30'12.55'' W.
    (ii) Delaware River: All waters of Delaware River, shoreline to 
shoreline, 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 shoreline 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, that 
is parallel with the Betsy Ross (state route 90) fixed highway Bridge.
    (iii) Upper Delaware River: All waters of Delaware River, shoreline 
to shoreline, in an area bound to the south by a line drawn across the 
Delaware River, parallel with the Betsy Ross (state route 90) fixed 
highway Bridge. The regulated area is bound to the north by a line 
drawn across the Delaware River, that is parallel with the Trenton--
Morrisville (state route 1) highway Bridge.
    (iv) New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway: All waters of New Jersey 
Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW), shoreline to shoreline, commencing at 
entrance to Manasquan Inlet, continuing west along Manasquan River 
thence south at Junction Light NJICW (LLNR 34980), to the entrance of 
Point Pleasant Canal; and continuing south the entire length of NJICW, 
terminating at the entrance to Cape May Inlet, Cape May, NJ.
    (2) Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region-COTP Zone. 
(i) Head of Chesapeake Bay to C&D Canal: All waters of the Upper 
Chesapeake Bay, shoreline to shoreline, 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 shoreline at Swan Point, 
latitude 39[deg]08'41.7'' N., longitude 076[deg]16'42.4'' W.
    (ii) Baltimore Harbor and approaches: All waters of the Chesapeake 
Bay, shoreline to shoreline, 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 a line drawn across the Chesapeake Bay, parallel with the north span 
of the William P. Lane, Jr (US-50/301) Memorial Bridges.
    (iii) Chesapeake Channel to Cove Point: All waters of the 
Chesapeake Bay, shoreline to shoreline, and its tributaries, bound to 
the north by a line drawn across the Chesapeake Bay, parallel with the 
north span of the William P. Lane, Jr (US-50/301) Memorial Bridges. The 
regulated area is bound to the south by a line drawn across the 
Chesapeake Bay along latitude 38[deg]23'10.5'' N., commencing at Cove 
Point, in Calvert County, MD.
    (iv) Chesapeake Channel between Cove Point and Smith Point, and 
Lower Potomac River: All waters of Chesapeake Bay, shoreline to 
shoreline, and its tributaries, bound to the north by a line drawn 
across the Chesapeake Bay along latitude 38[deg]23'10.5'' N., 
commencing at Cove Point, in Calvert County, MD; and all waters of the 
Potomac River, shoreline to shoreline, bound to the north by a line 
drawn across the Potomac River, parallel with the Governor Harry W. 
Nice (US-301) Memorial Bridge, connecting King George County, VA and 
Charles County, MD. The regulated area is bound to the south by a line 
drawn across the Chesapeake Bay along the Virginia/Maryland state 
boundary line, commencing at Smith Point, VA.
    (v) Potomac River: All waters of the Potomac River, shoreline to 
shoreline, bound to the north by a line drawn across the Potomac River, 
parallel with the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge, 
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, 
parallel with the Governor Harry W. Nice (US-301) Memorial Bridge, 
connecting King George County, VA and Charles County, MD.
    (vi) Upper Potomac River and Anacostia River: All waters of Potomac 
River, shoreline to shoreline, bound to the north by a line drawn 
across the Potomac River, parallel with the Francis Scott Key (US-29) 
Bridge, connecting Rosslyn, VA and Georgetown, Washington, DC, and 
bound to the south by a line drawn across the Potomac River, parallel 
with the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge, connecting 
Alexandria, VA and Prince George's County, MD. All waters of Anacostia 
River and Washington Channel, shoreline to shoreline, bound to the 
north by a line drawn across the Anacostia River, parallel with the 
John Philip Sousa (Pennsylvania Avenue SE) Bridge, and bound to the 
south by a line drawn across the mouth of the Anacostia River, from 
Hains Point, 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.
    (3) Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads-COTP Zone. (i) Chesapeake Bay 
and Tangier Sound: All waters of Chesapeake Bay, shoreline to 
shoreline, and its tributaries, bound to the north by a line drawn 
across the Chesapeake Bay along the Virginia/Maryland state boundary 
line, commencing at Smith Point, in Northumberland County, VA.

[[Page 9982]]

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 at 
Chesconessex, in Accomack County, VA.
    (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 a vessel that is owned and operated by the 
United States Government and is not engaged in commercial service, as 
defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101.
    (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, 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 
continuing transiting a safety zone under paragraph (c) of this section 
may nonetheless enter or continuing transiting the safety zone without 
contacting the COTP if the vessel is a public vessel, engaged in law 
enforcement, 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 
continuing 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 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: January 23, 2017.
Meredith L. Austin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-02702 Filed 2-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P