[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32071-32075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12987]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
33 CFR Part 401
[Docket No. SLSDC-2012-0001]
RIN 2135-AA30
Seaway Regulations and Rules: Periodic Update, Various Categories
AGENCY: Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) 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 SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the
Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The proposed
changes will update the following sections of the Regulations and
Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation; Dangerous Cargo;
Information and Reports; General; and, Navigation Closing Procedures.
These proposed amendments are necessary to take account of updated
procedures and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway.
Several of the proposed amendments are merely editorial or for
clarification of existing requirements.
DATES: Any party wishing to present views on the proposed amendment may
file comments with the Corporation on or before July 2, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number SLSDC
2012-0001 by any of the following methods:
Web Site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments/submissions.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-001.
Hand Delivery: Documents may be submitted by hand delivery
or courier to West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this
rulemaking. Note that all comments received will be posted without
change at http://www.Regulations.gov including any personal information
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading under Regulatory Notices.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to http://www.Regulations.gov; or in person at
the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
[[Page 32072]]
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,
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 180 Andrews Street,
Massena, New York 13662; 315/764-3200.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation (SLSDC) 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 SLSDC is proposing to amend the
joint regulations by updating the Regulations and Rules in various
categories. The proposed changes would update the following sections of
the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation;
Dangerous Cargo; Information and Reports; General; and, Navigation
Closing Procedures. These updates are necessary to take account of
updated procedures which will enhance the safety of transits through
the Seaway. Many of these proposed changes are to clarify existing
requirements in the regulations. Where new requirements or regulations
are being proposed, an explanation for such a change is provided below.
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 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages
19477-78) or you may visit http://www.Regulations.gov.
The SLSDC is proposing to amend three sections of the Condition of
Vessels portion of the joint Seaway regulations. Under section 401.11,
``Fairleads'', due to damage from fairleads on new vessels, the SLSDC
is proposing that all sharp edges be rounded. In section 401.12,
``Minimum requirements--mooring lines and fairleads'', the SLSDC is
addressing the use of wire lines on vessels 100 m or less. In section
401.15, ``Stern anchors'', the Seaway entities are proposing vessels of
more than 125 m in overall length as well as every integrated tug and
barge or articulated tug and barge unit greater than 125 m in overall
length be equipped with a stern anchor.
Several changes to the Seaway Navigation section are being
proposed. The Seaway Corporations are amending its joint rules in
section 401.29, ``Maximum draft'', to permit vessels using a ``Draft
Information System'' (DIS) to transit the Seaway up to 7 cm (3 inches)
above the maximum permissible draft allowed at the time. The use of a
DIS is an optional, not a mandatory requirement, to transit the Seaway.
The DIS will allow the vessel to transit the Seaway at a draft up to 3
inches (7 cm) more than the published maximum draft with prior approval
from the two Seaway entities.
Benefits of Using the DIS
The primary purpose of this proposed amendment is safety. The use
of the DIS will ensure that vessels maintain a safe under keel
clearance as they make maximum use of the available water column. DIS
uses water level measurements, bathymetry of the channel bottom, and
squat of the vessel as it moves at different speeds and in different
channel types. The squat of a vessel varies depending on the vessel
type, hull shape, and the type of channel in which it is operating, and
the vessel's speed. By including all the factors, the under keel
clearance value is determined in real time. The information on the
projected under keel clearance is integrated electronically with chart
data, high-resolution bathymetry and other readings on a single bridge
display.
The technology features an algorithm, which allows the Master to
estimate under keel clearance ahead, offering time for a course change
or other required reaction in transit. By Masters having more precise
information regarding the available water column, the risk of a vessel
touching bottom or grounding is reduced.
In addition to the safety benefits, increasing the maximum
allowable draft will increase the Seaway's productivity and
competitiveness. Depending on the commodity carried, an additional
three inches of draft might account for as much as 360 additional
metric tons per voyage.
Development of DIS Specification
The use of a DIS tool began in 2003 in the St. Mary's River. In
2006, the Seaway entities conducted 4 trials of the tool used in the
St. Mary's River as a proof of concept. Three tests were conducted in
the Montreal to Lake Ontario (MLO) section of the Seaway during 2007
under low water conditions. During 2008 tests were conducted in the MLO
and Welland Canal sections of the Seaway. In 2009, eight (8) trials
were conducted in the Welland Canal section and ten (10) trials were
conducted in the MLO section of the Seaway. In 2010 a DIS pilot program
was instituted in the MLO and Welland Canal. After successful
completion of the test trials and pilot program and to ensure future
consistency and reliability of the DIS, the two Seaway entities began
the development of a standard DIS specification.
On January 19, 2011, the two Seaway Corporations jointly published
an industrial implementation specification entitled, ``Implementation
Specification--a Draft Information System for the St. Lawrence Seaway''
(Specification). Following a public comment period during which
comments received were considered in the development of the
Specification, a final Implementation Specification was published on
the bi-national Web site at http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com on March
16, 2011. The Specification was developed under the guidance of the St.
Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the SLSDC, together with
representatives from system manufacturers and the shipping industry.
The development of the Specification followed accelerated procedures
derived from the International Organization for Standards (ISO)
standardization process that endeavored to develop a broad based
consensus standard. The DIS Implementation Specification describes the
functionality and interfaces for a system which utilizes water levels,
channel type, bathymetry, and vessel speed and characteristics to
determine current and predicted under keel clearance. On March 18,
2012, the first DIS Tool was verified by a member of the International
Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to be compliant with the
Specification.
In addition, the two Seaway Corporations, in section 401.32,
``Cargo booms--deck cargo'' are proposing to require notification of
the height of deck cargo in order to determine appropriate wind
restrictions.
In the Information and Reports section, a change to section 401.79,
``Advance notice of arrival, vessels requiring inspection'' is being
proposed. The amendments would provide requirements for reporting
notice of arrival depending on the vessel's voyage time. Further,
vessels requiring inspection or re-inspection would be required to
provide a 24-hour notice of
[[Page 32073]]
inspection based on certain specified factors. The Advance Notice of
Arrival procedures are currently in effect pursuant to Seaway Notices.
The other changes to the joint regulations are merely editorial or
to clarify existing requirements.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposed 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
I certify that this proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed rule under the
principles and criteria in Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999,
and has determined that this proposal does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant a Federalism Assessment.
Unfunded Mandates
The Corporation has analyzed this proposed 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 proposed 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.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 401
Hazardous materials transportation, Navigation (water), Penalties,
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels, Waterways.
Accordingly, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
proposes to amend 33 CFR part 401as follows:
PART 401--SEAWAY REGULATIONS AND RULES
Subpart A--Regulations
1. The authority citation for subpart A of part 401 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR
1.52, unless otherwise noted.
2. In Sec. 401.11, add paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.11 Fairleads.
(a) * * *
(4) When passing synthetic lines through a type of fairlead or
closed chock acceptable to the Manager and the Corporation all sharp
edges of the fairlead, closed chock and/or bulwark shall be rounded to
protect the line from chafing or breakage.
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 401.12 revise paragraph (a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.12 Minimum requirements--mooring lines and fairleads.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) One synthetic hawser may be hand held or if wire line is used
shall be powered. The line shall lead astern from the break of the bow
through a closed chock to suitable bitts on deck for synthetic line or
led from a capstan, winch drum or windlass to an approved fairlead for
a wire line.
* * * * *
4. Revise Sec. 401.15 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.15 Stern anchors.
(a) Every vessel of more than 125 m in overall length, the keel of
which is laid after January 1, 1975, shall be equipped with a stern
anchor.
(b) Every integrated tug and barge or articulated tug and barge
unit greater than 125 m in overall length which is constructed after
January 1, 2003 shall be equipped with a stern anchor.
5. In Sec. 401.28 revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.28 Speed limits.
* * * * *
(d) Notwithstanding the above speed limits, every vessel
approaching a free standing lift bridge shall proceed at a speed that
it will be able to stop prior to it reaching the Limit of Approach sign
should the raising of the bridge be delayed.
* * * * *
6. Revise Sec. 401.29 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.29 Maximum draft.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein, the loading of cargo,
draft and speed of a vessel in transit shall be controlled by the
master, who shall take into account the vessel's individual
characteristics and its tendency to list or squat, so as to avoid
striking bottom.\1\
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\1\ The main channels between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie
have a controlling depth of 8.23m.
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(b) The draft of a vessel shall not, in any case, exceed 79.2 dm or
the maximum permissible draft designated in a Seaway Notice by the
Manager and the Corporation for the part of the Seaway in which a
vessel is passing.
(c) Any vessel equipped with:
(1) An operational Draft Information System (DIS) Tool verified by
a member of the International Association of Classification Societies
(IACS) as compliant with the Implementation Specifications found at
http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com and contained in the Seaway Handbook
under ``Ship Transit and Equipment Requirements'' shall have onboard;
(2) Up-to-date electronic navigational charts; and
(3) Up-to-date charts containing high-resolution bathymetric data;
and
(4) A pilot plug, if using a portable DIS Tool, will be permitted,
when using the DIS Tool, subject to 33 CFR 29(a), to increase their
draft by no more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draft
prescribed under 33 CFR 29(b) in effect at the time.
(d) Any vessel intending to use DIS must notify the Manager or the
Corporation in writing at least 24-hours prior to commencement of its
initial transit in the System with the DIS Tool.
(e) Verification document of the DIS Tool must be kept on board the
vessel at all times and made available for inspection.
(f) If for any reason the DIS becomes inoperable, malfunctions, or
is not used, the vessel must notify the Manager or the Corporation
immediately.
(68 Stat. 93-96, 33 U.S.C. 981-990, as amended and secs. 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 12 and 13 of Sec. 2 of Pub. L. 95-474, 92 Stat. 1471)
7. In Sec. 401.32 add paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.32 Cargo booms-deck cargo.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) Seaway Traffic Control Center shall be notified of the height
of deck cargo prior to transiting the Seaway or
[[Page 32074]]
when departing from a Port or Wharf within the Seaway.
8. In Sec. 401.44, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.44 Mooring in locks.
* * * * *
(b) Once the mooring lines are on the mooring posts, lines shall be
kept slack until the ``all clear'' signal is given by the lock
personnel. When casting off signal is received, mooring lines should be
kept slack until the ``all clear'' signal is given by the lock
personnel.
9. In Sec. 401.59, add paragraph (e) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.59 Pollution.
* * * * *
(e) Except as authorized by the Manager or the Corporation, no over
the side painting shall be allowed in the Seaway.
* * * * *
10. In Sec. 401.72, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.72 Reporting--explosive and hazardous cargo vessels.
* * * * *
(d) Every vessel carrying radioactive substances shall, when
reporting in, give the number and date of issue of any required
certificate issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
and/or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) authorizing such
shipment.
* * * * *
11. Revise Sec. 401.79 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.79 Advance notice of arrival, vessels requiring inspection.
(a) Advance Notice of Arrival. All foreign flagged vessels
intending to transit the Seaway shall submit one complete electronic
Notice of Arrival (NOA) prior to entering at call in point 2 (CIP 2) as
follows:
(1) If your voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, you must
submit an electronic NOA 96 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
(2) If your voyage time to CIP 2 is less than 96 hours, you must
submit an electronic NOA before departure, but at least 24 hours before
entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
(3) If there are changes to the electronic NOA, submit them as soon
as practicable but at least 12 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP
2.
(4) The NOA must be provided electronically following the USCG
National Vessel Movement Center's (NVMC) procedures (http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov).
(5) To complete the NOA correctly for Seaway entry, select the
following:
(i) ``CIP 2'' as the Arrival Port,
(ii) ``Foreign to Saint Lawrence Seaway'' as the Voyage Type, and
(iii) ``Saint Lawrence Seaway Transit'' as the Arrival State, City
and Receiving Facility.
(b) Vessels requiring inspection or reinspection. All pre-cleared
vessels must provide a 24 hour notice of inspection as follows:
(1) Enhanced Seaway inspection. All foreign flagged vessels and
vessels of unusual design are subject to a Seaway inspection prior to
initial transit of the Seaway each navigation season.
(2) Inland self-inspection. Inland domestic vessels which are
approved by the Seaway and are ISM certified and have a company quality
management system, must submit the ``Self-Inspection Report'', every 2
navigation seasons and not later than 30 days after ``fit out''.
(3) Inland domestic vessels not participating in the ``Self-
Inspection Program'' are subject to Seaway inspection prior to every
transit of the Seaway.
(4) Tub/barge combinations not on the ``Seaway Approved Tow'' list
are subject to Seaway inspection prior to every transit of the Seaway.
12. In Sec. 401. 84, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.84 Reporting of impairment or other hazard by vessels
transiting within the Seaway.
* * * * *
(c) Any malfunction of equipment on the vessel
* * * * *
13. In Sec. 401.89, add paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.89 Transit refused.
(a) * * *
(4) The vessel is not in compliance with flag state and/or
classification society regulations.
14. Revise Sec. 401.92 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.92 Wintering and laying-up.
No vessel shall winter within the Seaway or lay-up within the
Seaway during the navigation season except with the written permission
of the Manager or the Corporation and subject to the conditions and
charges that may be imposed.
15. In Schedule II to Subpart A of Part 401--Table of Speeds,
revise section number 2 to read as follows:
Schedule II to Subpart A of Part 401--Table of Speeds \1\
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Maximum speed over the bottom (knots)
Column I--FROM Column II--TO ---------------------------------------------------
Column III Column IV
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* * * * * * *
2. Lake St. Louis................... Lower Entrance........ 12 (dnb) 11(upb)
Buoy A13............................ Lower Beauharnois Lock 14 (upb) 13(dnb)
* * * * * * *
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\1\ Maximum speeds at which a vessel may travel in the identified area in both normal and high water conditions
are set out in this schedule. The Manager and the Corporation will, from time to time, designate the set of
speed limits that is in effect.
[[Page 32075]]
Issued at Washington, DC, on May 21, 2012.
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Craig H. Middlebrook,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-12987 Filed 5-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-61-P