[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36037-36038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17471]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 84

[CGD 95-037]


Adequacy of Barge and Tug Navigation Lights

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of termination.

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SUMMARY: This request for comments was initiated in response to 
concerns expressed by the marine community, both commercial and 
recreational, that current lighting requirements for towing vessels and 
vessels being towed are not adequate. The Coast Guard solicited public 
input regarding current lighting requirements. However, after review 
and discussion of the comments, the Coast Guard has concluded that 
there are no problems with the lighting of underway tug and barge 
combinations which can be addressed through changes to current lighting 
requirements for towing vessels and vessels under tow. Therefore, the 
Coast Guard is terminating further action under docket number 95-037.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Diane Schneider, Project Manager, Vessel Traffic Management 
Division (G-MOV), (202) 267-0415.

DATES: This termination is effective on July 3, 1997.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Inland Navigation Rules (Navigation 
Rules) are set forth in 33 U.S.C. 2001, et seq., and Commandant 
Instruction M16672.2C. (The Inland Navigation Rules also will be set 
forth in future versions of this Commandant Instruction which will 
likely be issued under slightly different instruction numbers.) Under 
33 U.S.C. 2071, the Secretary of Transportation may issue regulations 
to implement and interpret the Navigation Rules. The Secretary is also 
directed to establish technical annexes. The technical annex for 
lighting requirements is contained in 33 CFR part 84. This annex 
specifies placement requirements for lights, including placement of 
lights on towing vessels and vessels under tow.
    Safety concerns associated with towing operations and small craft 
traffic have been raised in recent years in several publications, 
including the American Boat and Yacht Council Newsletter, U.S. Coast 
Guard Boating Safety Circulars, America's Inland and Coastal Tug and 
Barge Operators pamphlet ``Life Lines'', and various yachting 
magazines. The safety aspects of barge lighting were discussed at the 
May 1994 meeting of National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC). 
At its November 1994 meeting, the Navigation Safety Advisory Council 
(NAVSAC) was asked to consider whether current tug and tow lighting 
requirements under Navigation Rule 24 are adequate.
    NAVSAC concluded that additional information was needed to 
determine whether there was an actual problem, and, if so, to determine 
possible solutions. The Council unanimously passed a resolution 
requesting that the Coast Guard solicit public comments on whether 
towing vessels and vessels being towed are sufficiently lighted while 
underway.
    On May 9, 1995, the Coast Guard published a Request for Comments in 
the Federal Register (60 FR 24598). The Coast Guard received 94 
comments. In response to some of these comments, the Coast Guard 
published a notice (60 FR 53726; October 17, 1995) and held a public 
meeting at the Holiday Inn Downtown/Convention Center, 811 North Ninth 
Street, St. Louis, MO 63101 on November 11, 1995.
    After careful review and discussion of the comments, NAVSAC 
determined that the problems associated with the lighting of barges 
were not due to the lighting configuration but rather due to other 
factors. The Coast Guard agrees

[[Page 36038]]

that other factors--such as the lack of boater education in recognizing 
lighting configurations; no licensing requirement for recreational 
boaters; boating while intoxicated; and the lack of compliance with 
existing lighting requirements--are responsible for the problems. 
Therefore, no rulemaking is necessary, and the Coast Guard is 
terminating further action under docket number 95-037.

    Dated: June 24, 1997
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety 
and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-17471 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]
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