[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3000]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 9, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 110 and 165
[CCGD11-93-007]
RIN 2115-AE62
Regulated Navigation Area; San Pedro Bay, CA
agency: Coast Guard, DOT.
action: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
summary: This rule restricts vessel movement in Commercial Anchorage G
and expands the Regulated Navigation Area at the approach to Los
Angeles/Long Beach Harbor, California and prescribes certain vessel
operating requirements for vessels operating in that area. The rule is
a proactive prevention measure to enhance navigation safety in the
approach to and departure from this heavily transited area. This rule
does not change existing regulations associated with the pilot areas.
effective date: March 11, 1994.
for further information contact: Lieutenant Scott Pisel, Eleventh Coast
Guard District, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch, 501
West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90822-5399, telephone (310) 980-4300
ext. 501.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Drafting Information
The principal persons involved in drafting this document are
Commander Michael Haucke, Project Manager, and Lieutenant Commander
Craig Juckniess, Project Counsel.
Regulatory History
On November 26, 1993, the Coast Guard published a notice of
proposed rulemaking entitled Regulated Navigation Area; San Pedro Bay,
CA in the Federal Register (58 FR 62300-02). The Coast Guard received
one letter commenting on the proposal. A public hearing was not
requested and one was not held.
Background and Purpose
The combined harbor of Los Angeles and Long Beach is the largest
shipping complex in the United States. Since 1980, over 7,000 vessels
have called on the port annually, equalling over 14,000 transits of the
regulated navigation area. During times of heavy traffic, incoming
traffic in the morning and outgoing traffic in the evening, large ships
may be closer than one minute apart when moving through the bottleneck
of the two breakwater harbor entrances or gates. To prevent maritime
accidents, this rule will restrict vessel movement in Commercial
Anchorage G and expand the regulated navigation area to ensure maritime
safety through better regulation of vessel movements in the prescribed
area.
This regulated navigation area contains two pilot areas, a
restricted navigation area and a precautionary area. All are marked on
navigational charts.
The now disbanded Los Angeles/Long Beach Port and Navigational
Safety Committee, consisting of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Navy
Pilots; Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; dry cargo vessel
operators; the tanker industry; the towing industry; and the U.S. Navy
and Coast Guard, worked to minimize risk, reduce close calls, and
prevent collisions in San Pedro Bay. After the EXXON VALDEZ grounding
in 1989, the Committee accelerated its work to improve navigational
safety and focused specifically on San Pedro Bay. The Committee
concluded that a larger regulated navigation area, better organization,
and stricter regulation of incoming and outgoing vessel traffic was
needed to prevent accidents.
Pursuant to the State of California Oil Spill Prevention,
Abatement, and Removal Act of 1990, the Long Beach/Los Angeles Harbor
Safety Committee was created. This new committee, with representatives
from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, local pilots, tank vessel
operators, dry cargo vessel operators, towing industry, a local
environmental representative, Los Angeles Fisherman's Association, a
maritime labor representative, and the State of California, agreed that
better regulation of vessel movements in the prescribed area would
increase navigation safety.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
One letter was received commenting on the proposed rule, which
addressed two different areas of concern. The commenter first suggested
altering the description of vessel categories subject to the operating
requirements of Anchorage G and the San Pedro Bay Regulated Navigation
Area to include towing vessels only while engaged in towing. This
clarification is appropriate and is reflected in the final rule.
The commenter's second concern was the prohibition on vessels
transiting the pilot areas, Anchorage G, and the waters between
Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater. A primary purpose of
this rule is to reduce the volume of vessel traffic, and to regulate
operating conditions, within the Regulated Navigation Area in order to
facilitate the safe navigation of large vessels entering and departing
the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. The category of towing vessels
excepted from the prohibition against entering the waters between
Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater has been expanded to include
vessels ``engaged in towing vessels to or from Commercial Anchorage G,
or to or from the waters between Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle
Breakwater.'' The remaining restrictions on vessel movement within
these areas are retained as proposed.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive
Order 12866 and is not significant under the Department of
Transportation regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 11040;
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this
rule to be so minimal that a Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary.
Small Entities
The impact of this rule is minimal, therefore, the Coast Guard
Certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), that this final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Collection of Information
This rule contains no collection of information requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that it
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this
rule and concluded that, under section 2.B.2 of Commandant Instruction
M16475.1B, it will have no environmental impact and it is categorically
excluded from further environmental documentation.
List of Subjects
33 CFR Part 110
Anchorage grounds.
33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR parts 110 and 165 as follows:
PART 110--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2030, 2035 and 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and
33 CFR 1.05-1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in 110.1a
is also issued under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.
2. Section 110.214 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(7)(iii) to
read as follows:
Sec. 110.214 Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, California.
(a) * * *
(7) * * *
(iii) Vessels 30 meters or over in length, towing vessels of 8
meters or over in length engaged in towing, every vessel of 100 gross
tons and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire while
navigating, and each dredge and floating plant engaged in operations
shall not enter anchorage G unless:
(A) In an emergency;
(B) Proceeding to anchor in or departing from Commercial Anchorage
G;
(C) Standing by with confirmed pilot boarding arrangements; or,
(D) Engaged in towing vessels to or from Commercial Anchorage G.
* * * * *
PART 165--[AMENDED]
3. 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(g),
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5, 49 CFR 1.46.
4. Section 165.1109 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 165.1109 San Pedro Bay, California--Regulated navigation area.
(a) Location. The following is a regulated navigation area: The
water area of San Pedro Bay encompassed by the following geographic
coordinates:
From Point Fermin Light (33 deg.42'18'' N, 118 deg.17'36'' W)
thence along the shoreline to the San Pedro Breakwater, thence along
the San Pedro Breakwater and the Middle Breakwater (following the
COLREGS Demarcation Lines) to Long Beach Channel Entrance Light ``2''
(33 deg.42'42'' N, 118 deg.14'42'' W), thence south southeast to
33 deg.40'31'' N, 118 deg.08'42'' W; thence west to 33 deg.40'31'' N,
118 deg.12'03'' W; thence west southwest to 33 deg.39'17'' N,
118 deg.16'00'' W; thence northeast to 33 deg.40'06'' N,
118 deg.17'38'' W; thence north to the point of origin.
[Datum: NAD 1983]
(b) Pilot areas. There are two pilot areas within the regulated
navigation area described in paragraph (a). They are defined as
follows:
(1) The Los Angeles Pilot Area is enclosed by a line beginning at
Los Angeles Light (33 deg.42'30'' N, 118 deg.15'06'' W); thence
easterly to Los Angeles Main Channel Entrance Light 2 (33 deg.42'42''
N, 118 deg.14'42'' W); thence southeasterly to 33 deg.41'36.2'' (N,
118 deg.13'46.2'' W; thence southwest to 33 deg.41'13.9'' N,
118 deg.14'55.4'' W; thence north to the point of origin.
[Datum: NAD 1983]
(2) The Long Beach Pilot Area is enclosed by a line beginning at
Long Beach Light (33 deg.43'24'' N, 118 deg.11'12'' W); thence easterly
to Long Beach Channel Entrance Light 2 (33 deg.43'24'' N,
118 deg.10'48'' W); thence southerly to 33 deg.42'09.1'' N,
118 deg.10'26.2'' W; thence west to 33 deg.42'09.1'' N,
118 deg.11'35.5'' W; thence northeasterly to the point of origin.
[Datum: NAD 1983]
(c) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) Floating plant--means any vessel, other than a vessel underway
and making way, engaged in any construction, manufacturing, or
exploration operation.
(2) Vessel--means every description of watercraft, used or capable
of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(d) The following regulations apply to all vessels while operating
within the regulated navigation area:
(1) Los Angeles Pilot Area:
(i) No vessel may enter the Los Angeles Pilot Area unless it is
entering or departing the Los Angeles Main Channel via the Los Angeles
Harbor Entrance (Angel's Gate).
(ii) Vessels entering the Los Angeles Pilot Area shall pass
directly through without stopping or loitering unless stopping is
necessary to embark or disembark a pilot.
(iii) Vessels shall leave Los Angeles Approach Lighted Bell Buoy
``LA'' to port when entering and departing Los Angeles Main Channel;
(2) Long Beach Pilot Area:
(i) No vessel may enter the Long Beach Pilot Area unless it is
entering or departing Long Beach Harbor Entrance (Queen's Gate).
(ii) Every vessel entering the Long Beach Pilot Area shall pass
directly thorugh without stopping or loitering unless stopping is
necessary to embark or disembark a pilot.
(iii) Every vessel shall leave Long Beach Approach Lighted Whistle
Buoy ``LB'' to port when entering and departing Long Beach Channel and
departing vessels shall pass across the southern boundary of the Long
Beach Pilot Area.
(e) The following regulations contained in paragraphs (e)(1)
through (e)(4) apply to vessels 30 meters (approximately 98 feet) or
over in length, towing vessels of 8 meters (approximately 26 feet) or
over in length engaged in towing, vessels of 100 gross tons and upward
carrying one or more passengers for hire while navigating, and each
dredge and floating plant engaged in operations in the regulated
navigation area:
(1) Such vessel's speed shall not exceed 12 knots;
(2) All verbal contact between such vessels shall be communicated
in the English language. No such vessel may enter or transit within the
regulated navigation area unless there is at least one person on the
bridge immediately available to communicate with other vessels in the
English language;
(3) When such vessels in the regulated navigation area encounter
meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations as defined by the
International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72
COLREGS) the master, pilot or person in charge of each such vessel
shall make verbal passing arrangements with the other over
radiotelephone in addition to sound signal requirements of the 72
COLREGS;
(4) No such vessel may enter the waters between Commercial
Anchorage G and the Middle Breakwater as defined by an area enclosed by
a line beginning at Los Angeles Main Channel Entrance Light 2
(33 deg.42'42'' N, 118 deg.14'42'' W); thence eastward along the middle
breakwater to Long Beach Light (33 deg.43'24'' N, 118 deg.11'12'' W);
thence south to 33 deg.43'05.3'' N, 118 deg.11'15.3'' W; thence
westerly to 33 deg.43'05.3'' N, 118 deg.12'15.7'' W; thence
southwesterly parallel to the breakwater to 33 deg.42'29.9'' N,
118 deg.14'16.0'' W; thence to the point of origin, unless such vessel
is:
(i) In an emergency;
(ii) Proceeding to anchor in or departing Commercial Anchorage G;
(iii) Standing by with confirmed pilot boarding arrangements; or,
(iv) Engaged in towing vessels to or from Commercial Anchorage G,
or to or from the waters between Commercial Anchorage G and the Middle
Breakwater.
Dated: January 24, 1994.
R.D. Herr,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 94-3000 Filed 2-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M