Rule2024-31566
Seaway Regulations and Rules: Periodic Update, Various Categories
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
January 10, 2025
Effective
January 10, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentGreat Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Abstract
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the GLS is amending the joint regulations by updating the regulations and rules in various categories. These changes are to clarify existing requirements in the regulations.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 6 (Friday, January 10, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1881-1884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31566]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
33 CFR Part 401
RIN 2135-AA5
Seaway Regulations and Rules: Periodic Update, Various Categories
AGENCY: Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation,
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
(GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of
Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently
administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and
Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under
agreement with the SLSMC, the GLS is amending the joint regulations by
updating the regulations and rules in various categories. These changes
are to clarify existing requirements in the regulations.
DATES: This rule is effective on January 10, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background
documents or comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; or
in person at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Mann Lavigne, Chief Counsel,
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 180 Andrews
Street, Massena, New York 13662; (315) 764-3200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GLS and SLSMC of Canada, under
international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the
St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in
Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the
SLSMC, the GLS is amending the joint regulations by updating the
Regulations and Rules in various categories. The changes update the
following sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels,
Seaway Navigation, Radio Communications, Dangerous Cargo, Information
and Reports, and General. These changes are to clarify existing
requirements in the regulations.
Regulatory Notices: Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment,
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
The joint regulations will become effective in Canada in 2025 prior
to the opening of the Seaway. For consistency, because these are joint
regulations under international agreement, and to avoid confusion among
users of the Seaway, the GLS finds that there is good cause to make the
U.S. version of the amendments effective upon the date of publication
to ensure an effective date prior to the Seaway opening.
Regulatory Evaluation
This regulation involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States and therefore, Executive Order 12866 does not apply and
evaluation under the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies
and Procedures is not required.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Determination
The GLS certifies that this regulation will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The St.
Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules primarily relate to commercial
users of the Seaway, the vast majority of whom are foreign vessel
operators. Therefore, any resulting costs will be borne mostly by
foreign vessels.
Environmental Impact
This regulation does not require an environmental impact statement
under the National Environmental Policy Act (49 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.)
because it is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment.
Federalism
The Corporation has analyzed this rule under the principles and
criteria in Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999, and has
determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant a Federalism Assessment.
Unfunded Mandates
The Corporation has analyzed this rule under title II of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48) and
determined that it does not impose unfunded mandates on State, local,
and Tribal governments and the private sector requiring a written
statement of economic and regulatory alternatives.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This regulation has been analyzed under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 and does not contain new or modified information collection
requirements subject to the Office of Management and Budget review.
[[Page 1882]]
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 401
Hazardous materials transportation, Navigation (water), Penalties,
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels, Waterways.
Accordingly, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation is amending 33 CFR part 401 as follows:
PART 401--SEAWAY REGULATIONS AND RULES
Subpart A--Regulations
0
1. The authority citation for part 401, subpart A continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR
1.101, unless otherwise noted.
0
2. Revise Sec. 401.8 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.8 Landing booms.
(a) Vessels of more than 50 m in overall length and a freeboard of
2m or more may be equipped with landing booms.
(b) For vessels with landing booms:
(1) Vessel must be equipped with an adequate landing boom on each
side;
(2) Landing booms must be in compliance with applicable
regulations;
(3) Vessel's crews shall be adequately trained in the use of
landing booms for the purpose of landing crew ashore; and
(4) Vessel must have onboard for inspection the following
documents:
(i) A copy of the test certificates for each of the landing booms
from either a classification society or a third party, dated within 5
years;
(ii) Documents to demonstrate appropriate training; and
(iii) Documented tests and maintenance records of landing boom
equipment.
(c) At the U.S. Locks, vessels not equipped with or not using
landing booms may be tied up at the approach walls based on Lock
personnel availability.
(d) At the Canadian Locks, vessels not equipped with or not using
landing booms may be delayed and/or put to anchor until such time that
the traffic pattern can accommodate their transit.
0
3. Amend Sec. 401.9 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (c); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.9 Radio telephone and navigation equipment.
* * * * *
(c) Gyro compass error greater than 2 degrees must be serviced
prior to transiting the Seaway, and if noted during a Seaway transit,
must be reported to the nearest Seaway station and serviced at the
first opportunity.
0
5. Amend Sec. 401.10 by:
0
a. Revising the table following paragraph (d); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.10 Mooring lines.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
Table 1 to Paragraph (d)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Length of
Overall length of ships mooring line Breaking
(m) strength (MT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 m or more but not more than 60 m..... 110 10
more than 60 m but not more than 90 m... 110 15
more than 90 m but not more than 120 m.. 110 20
more than 120 m but not more than 180 m. 110 28
more than 180 m but not more than 200 m. 110 31
more than 200 m but not more than 225.5 110 35
m......................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elongation of synthetic lines shall not exceed 20%.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec. 401.12 by revising the table in paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 401.12 Minimum requirements--mooring lines and fairleads.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Table 1 to Paragraph (b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For mooring lines For mooring lines
Overall length of ships Nos. 1 and 2 Nos. 3 and 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
100 m or more but not more Shall be at a Shall be at a
than 180 m. location on the location on the
ship side where the ship side where the
beam is at least beam is at least
90% of the full 90% of the full
beam of the ship. beam of the ship.
more than 180 m but not more Between 20 m & 50 m Between 20 m & 50 m
than 225.5m. from the stern. from the stern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
5. Amend Sec. 401.13 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.13 Hand lines.
* * * * *
(b) Be of uniform thickness and have a diameter of not less than
12mm and not more than 18 mm and a minimum length of 30m; and
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 401.14 by revising the section heading and paragraph (a)
to read as follows:
Sec. 401.14 Anchors, anchor marking buoys.
(a) Every vessel shall have their anchors cleared and have the
anchor marking buoys free to deploy (weak link to hold buoy line
onboard) with the buoy lines firmly secured to each anchor, and ready
to be released prior to entering the Seaway.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 401.17 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.17 Pitch indicators and alarms.
* * * * *
[[Page 1883]]
(b) Visible and audible pitch alarms, with a time delay of not
greater than 8 seconds, in the wheelhouse and engine room to indicate
wrong way pitch.
0
8. Amend Sec. 401.19 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (d); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.19 Disposal and discharge systems.
* * * * *
(d) Burning of shipboard garbage is prohibited between call in
point 2 (CIP 2) and Cape Vincent, and between CIP 15 and 16.
0
9. Amend Sec. 401.29 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.29 Maximum draft.
* * * * *
(c) Any vessel will be permitted to load at an increased draught of
not more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draught in effect as
prescribed under paragraph (b) of this section if it is equipped with a
Draught Information System (DIS) and meets the following:
(1) An operational Draught Information System (DIS) approved by a
member of the International Association of Classification Societies
(IACS) as compliant with the Implementation Specifications found at
<a href="http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com">www.greatlakes-seaway.com</a> and having onboard:
(i) An operational AIS with accuracy approved by the Seaway; and
(ii) Up-to-date electronic charts; and
(iii) Up-to-date charts containing high resolution bathymetric
data; and
(iv) Vessels must be equipped with a bow thruster and bow thruster
must be operational.
(2) The DIS Tool Display shall be located as close to the primary
conning position and be visible and legible.
(i) Verification document of the DIS must be kept on board the
vessel at all times and made available for inspection;
(ii) DIS license to use the software must be valid;
(iii) Software version of DIS matches the version in the IACS
verification letter, or higher;
(iv) A company letter attesting to officer training on use of the
DIS must be kept on board and made available for inspection; and
(v) When transiting Seaway waters with the DIS, a trained officer
on the use of the DIS must be on the bridge.
(3) Any vessel not yet approved, but intending to use the DIS in
the Seaway must notify the Manager or the Corporation at least 96 hours
in advance so that arrangements can be made for appropriate testing for
approval to use the DIS to transit the Seaway.
(4) A vessel already approved to use the DIS to transit the Seaway
must email a completed DIS Confirmation Checklist (found at
<a href="http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com">www.greatlakes-seaway.com</a>) to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bccfd0cfd1dfd1ddced5d2d9cfd9cecad5dfd9cffccfd9ddcbddc592dfdd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89fae5fae4eae4e8fbe0e7ecfaecfbffe0eaecfac9faece8fee8f0a7eae8">[email protected]</span></a> 96 hours
prior to its initial transit of the navigation season.
(5) If for any reason the DIS, AIS, or bow thruster becomes
inoperable, malfunctions, or is not used while the vessel is transiting
at a draught greater than the maximum permissible draught prescribed
under paragraph (b) of this section in effect at the time, the vessel
must notify the Manager or the Corporation immediately.
0
10. Amend Sec. 401.31 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.31 Meeting and passing.
* * * * *
(b) No vessel shall meet another vessel within the area between the
caution signs at bridges or within any area that is designated as a no
meeting area by the Manager or the Corporation.
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec. 401.35 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.35 Navigation underway.
* * * * *
(b) Operate the propulsion machinery so that it can respond
immediately though its full operating range;
(1) Vessels equipped with an Engine Power Limitation system (EPL)
or Shaft Power Limitation system (ShaPoLi) shall override the EPL or
ShaPoLi while transiting at the Seaway.
(2) [Reserved]
* * * * *
0
12. Revise Sec. 401.39-1 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.39-1 Raising fenders.
Every vessel equipped with fenders that are not permanently
attached shall raise its fenders when passing a lock gate or HFM
equipment.
0
13. Amend Sec. 401.42 by:
0
a. Adding paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii);
0
b. Revising paragraph (a)(2); and
0
c. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The additions and revision read as follows:
Sec. 401.42 Passing hand lines.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) For the #4 mooring wire, the hand line shall be passed to the
linehandlers at the lock as soon as the vessel's aft fairleads pass the
open gates.
(ii) For the #2 mooring wire, the hand line shall be passed to the
linehandlers at the lock as soon as the forward fairleads pass the last
HFM unit.
(2) Hand lines shall be passed to upbound vessels by the
linehandlers as soon as the vessel passes the last HFM unit, and
secured, by means of a clove hitch, to the mooring lines 60 cm behind
the splice of the eye;
* * * * *
0
14. Amend Sec. 401.44 by:
0
a. Redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (d);
0
b. Adding a new paragraph (c); and
0
c. Removing newly redesignated paragraph (d)(4).
The addition reads as follows:
Sec. 401.44 Mooring in locks.
* * * * *
(c) Vessels being moored by the Hands-Free Mooring system (HFM) or
passing through a lock without the use of mooring lines shall have a
minimum of one (1) well rested crew member on deck during the lockage
to assist the bridge team.
* * * * *
0
15. Revise Sec. 401.58 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.58 Pleasure craft scheduling.
(a) At the U.S. locks, the transit of pleasure craft shall be
scheduled by the traffic controller or the officer in charge of a lock
and may be delayed in order to avoid interference with other vessels;
and
(b) Every pleasure craft seeking to transit Canadian locks shall
first make a reservation on the Seaway website according to the
available schedule.
0
16. Amend Sec. 401.65 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (b) and (c); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revisions read as follows:
Sec. 401.65 Communication--ports, docks and anchorages.
* * * * *
(b) Every vessel arriving at a port, dock, or anchorage shall
report to the appropriate Seaway station, giving an estimated time of
departure if possible.
(c) At least four hours prior to departure from a port, dock, or
anchorage, every vessel shall report to the appropriate Seaway station
its destination and its expected time of arrival at the next check
point.
* * * * *
0
17. Amend Sec. 401.67 by revising the section heading to read as
follows:
[[Page 1884]]
Sec. 401.67 Carrying explosives.
* * * * *
0
18. Amend Sec. 401.73 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.73 Cleaning tanks--hazardous cargo vessels.
* * * * *
(b) Hot work permission. Before any hot work, defined as any work
that uses flame or that can produce a source of ignition, cutting or
welding, is carried out by any vessel on any designated St. Lawrence
Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) approach walls, Cote St.
Catherine wharf or wharves in the Welland Canal, a written request must
be sent to the SLSMC, preferably 24 hours prior to the vessel's arrival
on the SLSMC approach walls or wharves. The hot work shall not commence
until approval is obtained from an SLSMC Traffic Control Center.
(1) Permission is granted under the following conditions:
(i) Copy of vessel's ``Hot Work Permit'' is provided to the SLSMC
before welding commences;
(A) In the Welland Canal, send to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c62697e65694c7f696d7b6d75226f6d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="355b50475c507546505442544c1b5654">[email protected]</span></a> and
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e100c0d16170e17100d0e1b1d0a110c0d3e0d1b1f091f07501d1f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="79170b0a11100910170a091c1a0d160b0a390a1c180e1800571a18">[email protected]</span></a>.
(B) In the MLO Section, send to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3c0c7cce3d0c6c2d4c2da8dc0c2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2447404b6457414553455d0a4745">[email protected]</span></a> and
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4bdbaa7a4b1b7a0b1a1a6a7a2b994a7b1b5a3b5adfab7b5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f26213c3f2a2c3b2a3a3d3c39220f3c2a2e382e36612c2e">[email protected]</span></a>.
(ii) Name of company performing the hot work is provided;
(iii) Effective fire watch is maintained;
(iv) Welding operations shall temporarily cease during vessel meets
and lockages;
(v) Welding operations shall cease at the direction of a Traffic
Controller; and
(vi) All sparks and/or flames are to be contained on the vessel.
(2) [Reserved]
* * * * *
0
19. Amend Sec. 401.84 by:
0
a. Adding a semicolon at the end of paragraph (c);
0
b. Revising paragraph (d); and
0
c. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.84 Reporting of impairment or other hazard by vessels
transiting within the Seaway.
* * * * *
(d) Any modification or malfunction on the vessel of equipment and
machinery that is noted as operational in the current ``Enhanced Ship
Inspection'' or ``Self-Inspection'' of the vessel;
* * * * *
0
20. Revise Sec. 401.94 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.94 Keeping copies of documents.
(a) A paper copy of the vessel's valid Ship Inspection Report shall
be kept on board every vessel in transit. It must be easily accessible
in the wheelhouse.
(b) A paper or electronic copy of this subpart (the ``Rules and
Regulations'') and the Seaway Notices for the current navigation year
shall be kept easily accessible in the wheelhouse of every vessel in
transit.
(c) Onboard every vessel transiting the Seaway, a duplicate set of
the vessel's Fire Control Plans shall be permanently stored in a
prominently marked weather-tight enclosure outside the deckhouse for
the assistance of shore side fire-fighting personnel.
Issued at Washington, DC, under authority delegated at 49 CFR
1.101.
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Carrie Lavigne,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-31566 Filed 1-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-61-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 10, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.