[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04642]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2018-0167]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Grassy Sound Channel, Middle
Township NJ and Townsend Inlet, Avalon, NJ
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued temporary deviations from the
operating schedules that govern the Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive)
Bridge across Grassy Sound Channel, mile 1.0, in Middle Township, NJ
and the Townsend Inlet Bridge across Townsend Inlet, mile 0.6, at
Avalon, NJ. These deviations are necessary to accommodate the annual
Ocean Drive Marathon event. These deviations allows these bridges to
remain in the closed-to-navigation position.
DATES: These deviations is effective from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on
April 22, 2018.
ADDRESSES: The docket for these deviations, [USCG-2018-0167], is
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the
``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the
line associated with this deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on these
temporary deviations, call or email Ms. Kashanda Booker, Bridge
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6227, email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cape May County Department of Public
Works, owner of these drawbridges, has requested temporary deviations
from the current operating schedules to accommodate the Ocean Drive
Marathon event. The Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive) Bridge across
Grassy Sound Channel, mile 1.0, in Middle Township, NJ, is a bascule
drawbridge with a vertical clearance in the closed position of 15 feet
above mean high water. The Townsend Inlet Bridge across Townsend Inlet,
mile 0.6, in Avalon, NJ, is a bascule drawbridge with a vertical
clearance in the closed position of 23 feet above mean high water.
The Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive) Bridge operating regulations
are set out in 33 CFR 117.721 and the Townsend Inlet Bridge operating
regulations are set out in 33 CFR 117.757. Under these temporary
deviations, these drawbridges will be allowed to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 22,
2018, to accommodate the Ocean City Marathon event. Grassy Sound
Channel and Townsend Inlet are used by a variety of vessels including
recreational vessels, and small commercial vessels. The Coast Guard has
carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the
waterway in publishing these temporary deviations.
Vessels able to pass through these bridges in the closed position
may do so at any time. These bridges will be able to open for
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels
unable to pass through these bridges in the closed position. The Coast
Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and
Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for
these bridges so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize
any impacts caused by this temporary deviation.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), these drawbridges must return
to the regular operating schedules immediately at the end of the
effective period of these temporary deviations. These deviations from
the operating regulations are authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: March 1, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-04642 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P