Safety Zone; M/T KALAHARI, Gulf of America, Pascagoula, MS

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Gulf of America. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the M/T KALAHARI that will be conducting repairs at anchorage due to both auxiliary boilers being out of service rendering the inert gas system inoperable. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Mobile, or their designated representative.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 209 (Friday, October 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68478-68480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22269]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2026-0467]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; M/T KALAHARI, Gulf of America, Pascagoula, MS

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters of the Gulf of America. The safety zone is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards associated with the M/T KALAHARI that will be conducting 
repairs at anchorage due to both auxiliary boilers being out of service 
rendering the inert gas system inoperable. Entry of vessels or persons 
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the 
Captain of the Port, Sector Mobile, or their designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from October 30, 
2026 through December 27, 2026. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice

[[Page 68479]]

will be used from October 28, 2026, through October 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0467.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
contact LT Zachary West, Sector Mobile Waterways Management Division, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (251) 382-8653, or email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7c4d2d4c3d8c5dad8d5dedbd2c0d6c3d2c5c0d6cec4f7c2c4d4d099dadedb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b786e687f647966646962676e7c6a7f6e797c6a72784b7e78686c25666267">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
IGS Inert Gas System
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Authority

    The Coast Guard received notification from the M/T KALAHARI that 
both the vessel's auxiliary boilers are out of service rendering the 
Inert Gas System (IGS) inoperable. To fix both the boilers and IGS 
system, the vessel must conduct repairs at anchorage, in the Gulf of 
America south of Pascagoula, MS. The IGS is a critical safety system on 
tank vessels, and the Captain of the Port (COTP) Mobile has determined 
that the inoperable IGS on the M/T KALAHARA presents an increased risk 
of fire or explosion. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under 
the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the 
safety zone, until repairs can be completed on the vessel.
    Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this 
rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 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 
rule because it is impracticable. The Coast Guard was notified of this 
issue on October 12, 2026, and we must establish this safety zone 
immediately to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. 
Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to 
comments.
    For the same reason, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

III. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from October 28, 
2026, through December 27, 2026. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters in the Pascagoula Anchorage, within 1,000 meters of 
the M/T KALAHARI, at approximate position 30[deg]05.533' N, 
088[deg]24.958' W. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the 
zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port. 
The safety zone will be enforced upon the arrival of the MT Kalahari in 
the anchorage described above. Enforcement will be terminated when 
repair work on the M/T KALAHARI is completed. The COTP will announce 
the specific enforcement dates and times via Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners, or other public advisories.

IV. 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.

A. Impact on Small Entities

    The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that 
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for 
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would 
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's 
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.
    Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and 
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small 
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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.

B. 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).

C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, 
and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental 
federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that 
Order.
    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.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in 
an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) 
by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector.

E. 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 et seq.), 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 is a safety zone. 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.

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:


[[Page 68480]]


    Authority:  46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0467 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0467  Safety Zone; M/T KALAHARI, Gulf of America, 
Pascagoula, MS

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Pascagoula Anchorage from surface to bottom, encompassed 
by a 1,000-meter circle around the M/T KALAHARI, at approximate 
position 30[deg]05.533' N, 088[deg]24.958' W. These coordinates are 
based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84)/North American Datum 83 
(NAD 83).
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of the Captain of the 
Port Mobile (COTP).
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (251) 266-5888. 
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section is effective from October 28, 
2026 until December 27, 2026. The safety zone will be enforced upon the 
arrival of the MT Kalahari in the anchorage described above. 
Enforcement will be terminated when repair work on the M/T KALAHARI is 
completed. The COTP will announce the specific enforcement dates and 
times via Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or other public advisories.

Michael O. Vega,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Mobile.
[FR Doc. 2026-22269 Filed 10-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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