Rule2023-22595
Safety Zone; Saint Thomas, USVI
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 12, 2023
Effective
October 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 0.25 nautical miles radius around the Motor Vessel (M/V) BONNIE G grounded near the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the M/V BONNIE G grounding. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70593-70595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22595]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2023-0838]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Saint Thomas, USVI
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters within a 0.25 nautical miles radius around the Motor
Vessel (M/V) BONNIE G grounded near the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I.
This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards created by the M/V BONNIE G
grounding. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan.
DATES: This temporary final rule is effective without actual notice
from October 12, 2023 through October 20, 2023. For the purposes of
enforcement, actual notice will be used from October 6, 2023 until
October 12, 2023.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2023-0838 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Commander Carlos M. Ortega-Perez, Waterways
Management Division Chief, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 787-729-2380,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3b092819f9c80ddbeddbc8187969492dea396819689b386809094dd9e9a9f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83c0e2f1efecf0adceadccf1f7e6e4e2aed3e6f1e6f9c3f6f0e0e4adeeeaef">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice
and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
with respect to this TFR because doing so would be impracticable. The
M/V BONNIE G grounded near the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I, and
immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards
associated with the emergency response and salvage operations. It is
impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety
zone by October 6, 2023.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of
this rule would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the emergency
response and salvage operations.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034. The Captain of the Port San Juan (COTP) has determined that
there are potential hazards associated with the response and salvage
operations regarding the M/V BONNIE G grounding. There will be a safety
concern for anyone within a 0.25 nautical miles radius around the M/V
BONNIE G grounded near the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I. This rule is
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the
navigable waters within the safety zone during response and salvage
operations.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone on certain waters of the
Caribbean Sea off the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I. The safety zone
will be enforced from October 6, 2023 through October 20, 2023. The
safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 0.25 nautical miles
radius of 18[deg]19'27'' N 64[deg]58'25'' W, the current location of
the M/V BONNIE G. The duration of the zone is intended to protect
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable
waters while the Owning company of the vessel completes their salvage
plan.
No person or vessel will be permitted to enter, transit through,
anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without first obtaining
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. If
authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within
the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a designated representative,
all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with
the instructions of the COTP or a designated representative. The Coast
Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Broadcast Notice to
Mariners, and/or by on-scene designated representatives.
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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant
regulatory action,'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review).
Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB).
[[Page 70594]]
This regulatory action determination is based on following reasons:
(1) the temporary safety zone will only be enforced for 15 consecutive
days and may be removed earlier if the response and salvage operations
are completed prior October 20, 2023; (2) although persons and vessels
may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety
zone without authorization from the COTP or a designated
representative, they may operate in the surrounding area during the
enforcement period; (3) persons and vessels may still enter, transit
through, anchor in, or remain within the areas during the enforcement
period if authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.
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 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
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section V.
above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any
vessel owner or operator.
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
call or email 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 Order
13132.
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.
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 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
Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 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 a .25
nautical mile perimeter safety zone, lasting the duration of response
and salvage operations or a maximum of 15 consecutive days and thus
limited in scope. This zone will prohibit entry while in effect. It is
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(d) of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is
available in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see
the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email 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.
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: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T07-0838 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0838 Safety Zone; Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I, from surface
to bottom, that are within a 0.25 nautical mile radius of
18[deg]19'27'' N 64[deg]58'25'' W, the current location of the M/V
BONNIE G, from surface to bottom.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, the term ``designated
representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a
Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast
Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or
assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Juan in the enforcement of
the safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from
entering,
[[Page 70595]]
transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated
area unless authorized by the COTP San Juan or a designated
representative.
(2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the COTP San Juan
by telephone at (787) 289-2041, or a designated representative via VHF-
FM radio on channel 16 to request authorization. If authorization is
granted, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must
comply with the instructions of the COTP San Juan or a designated
representative.
(3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM
channel 16, or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 6 a.m.
until 6 p.m. on October 6, 2023, through October 20, 2023.
Dated: October 6, 2023.
Jos[eacute] E. D[iacute]az,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Juan.
[FR Doc. 2023-22595 Filed 10-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 12, 2023.
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