§ 165.540 - Regulated Navigation Area; Cape Fear River, Northeast Cape Fear River, Wilmington, North Carolina.

§ 165.540 Regulated Navigation Area; Cape Fear River, Northeast Cape Fear River, Wilmington, North Carolina.

(a) Description of the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA). The RNA encompasses all waters of the Cape Fear River and Northeast Cape Fear River from the intersection of Bald Head Shoal Channel and Smith Island Channel (centerline coordinates Latitude 33°52′24.028″ N, Longitude 78°00′29.624″ W (NAD 83)) to mile 26.7 on the Northeast Cape Fear River.

(b) Work areas. Dredging work within the RNA will be conducted in five distinct areas: Ocean Bar II, Horseshoe Shoal, Passing Lane & Anchorage Basin, Big Island, and the Northeast Cape Fear River. Drilling or blasting is expected to occur within the Passing Lane & Anchorage Basin, Big Island, and the Northeast Cape Fear River work areas. The blast sites within the RNA, will be identified and made available to the public through: Broadcast Notices to Mariners or Local Notices to Mariners (Local Notices to Mariners are available on-line at www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d5/); direct contact with the control vessel on channel 16 VHF-FM; direct contact with the contractor; or through the Captain of the Port on VHF marine Band Radio, channels 13 and 16; or at telephone number [phone]. In addition, dredge and blasting companies will have a control vessel present at the site of each blast.

(c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced during the months of August, September, October, November, December, and January, each year. This rule will expire on January 31, 2006.

(d) Definitions. Active work area means a work area in which blasting, drilling, or dredging operations are currently taking place.

Blast site means the area where explosive material is handled during loading, including the perimeter formed by the loaded blast holes and fifty (50) feet (15.2 meters) in all directions from loaded holes.

Blasting operations means the detonation of explosives on the river bottom.

Captain of the Port means the Coast Guard officer designated by the Commandant to command the Captain of the Port Zone as described in 33 CFR 3.25-20.

Control vessel means the vessel at an active work area which coordinates operations within the active work area.

Hangfire means a blast that fails to detonate at initiation, but detonates at a later time.

Mile means measured as nautical miles.

Misfire means a blast that fails to detonate completely after an attempt at initiation, also the explosive material that failed to detonate as planned.

RNA means Regulated Navigation Area.

Work area means those places within the RNA where dredging, drilling, and blasting shall be conducted.

(e) Description of work areas in the RNA -

(1) Ocean Bar II, mouth of Cape Fear. The work area includes: Part of Bald Head Shoal Channel, Smith Island Channel, Baldhead Caswell Channel, Southport Channel, Battery Island Channel, Lower Swash Channel, and the majority of Snows Marsh Channel. The downstream end of the work area (centerline coordinates: Latitude 33°50′43.668″ N, Longitude 78°01′40.068″ W (NAD 1983)) is located southeast of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 8 (LL 30350), approximately 2,560 feet east of the centerline of the existing Bald Head Shoal Channel. Upstream end of the work area is located 1,200 feet downstream of the intersection of Snows Marsh Channel and Horseshoe Shoal Channel at turn six (mile 6.5, approximately 1,150 feet downstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 25 (LL 30530/39965)).

(2) Horseshoe Shoal. The work area includes: Horseshoe Shoal Channel and part of Snows Marsh Channel. Downstream end of the work area is located 1,200 feet downstream of the intersection of Snows Marsh Channel and Horseshoe Shoal Channel (mile 6.5, approximately 1,150 feet downstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 25 (LL 30530/39965)). Upstream end of the work area is located at the intersection of Horseshoe Shoal Channel and Reaves Point Channel (mile 7.7, at about Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 27 (LL 30550/39945)).

(3) Big Island. The work area includes: Part of Keg Island Channel, Lower Big Island Channel, Upper Big Island Channel, and part of Lower Brunswick Channel. Downstream end of the work area is approximately 2,230 feet upstream of the intersection of Upper Lilliput Channel and Keg Island Channel (mile 16.2, approximately 1,320 feet downstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 46 (LL 30765) and approximately 2,300 feet upstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 44 (LL 30750)). Upstream end of the work area is approximately 2,680 feet upstream of intersection of Upper Big Island Channel and Lower Brunswick Channel (mile 18.7, approximately 1,620 feet upstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 56 (LL 30830) and approximately 590 feet downstream of the Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L) overhead power line crossing).

(4) Passing Lane and Anchorage Basin. There are two separate work areas for this contract, separated by the Big Island Contract.

(i) Passing Lane work area is located immediately downstream of the Big Island contract work area. The work area includes: Reaves Point Channel, Lower Midnight Channel, Upper Midnight Channel, Lilliput Channel, and part of Keg Island Channel. Downstream end of Passing Lane work area is the intersection of Horseshoe Shoal Channel and Reaves Point Channel (mile 7.7, at about Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 27 (LL 30550/39945)). Upstream end of the Passing Lane work area is approximately 2,230 feet upstream of intersection of Upper Lilliput Channel and Keg Island Channel (mile 16.2, approximately 1,320 feet downstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 46 (LL 30765) and approximately 2,300 feet upstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 44 (LL 30750)).

(ii) Anchorage Basin work area is located immediately upstream of the Big Island contract work area. The work area includes: Part of Lower Brunswick Channel, Fourth East Jetty Channel, Between Channel, and Anchorage Basin Channel. Downstream end of Anchorage Basin work area is approximately 2,680 feet upstream of intersection of Upper Big Island Channel and Lower Brunswick Channel (mile 18.7, approximately 1,620 feet upstream of Cape Fear River Channel Lighted Buoy 56 (LL 30830) and approximately 590 feet downstream of the CP&L overhead power line crossing). Upstream end of Anchorage Basin work area is the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (mile 23.6).

(5) Northeast Cape Fear River. The downstream end of the work area is the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (mile 23.6). Upstream end of the work area (approximately mile 26.7) is on the Northeast Cape Fear River and is approximately 700 feet upstream of the turning basin located opposite Koch Sulfur Products Co. and approximately 90 feet downstream of the submerged gas pipeline crossing.

(f) Regulations.

(1) Blasting, drilling, and dredging operations raise many safety issues for vessels transiting the RNA. All mariners are reminded to exercise caution while transiting or operating in the RNA.

(2) Active work areas, control vessels, and blast sites will be identified via Broadcast Notices to Mariners or Local Notices to Mariners. The Local Notice to Mariners is available on-line at www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d5/. Control vessels shall monitor channel 16 VHF-FM.

(3) The following requirements apply to all vessels.

(i) All vessels shall inform themselves of the active work areas prior to entering the RNA.

(ii) All vessels shall contact and receive permission from the control vessel for that work area before entering the active work area.

(iii) All vessels transiting an active work area shall do so at no wake speed or the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerage.

(iv) During blasting operations all vessels are prohibited from entering an area of 500 yards surrounding the blast site. Upon notification of a misfire or hangfire, all vessels underway in the RNA shall proceed to clear the active work area in which the misfire or hangfire occurred.

(4) Vessels over 300 gross tons and tugs with tows are required to contact the COTP 12 hours before vessel movement within the RNA.

(5) Vessels meeting the notice of arrival requirements under 33 CFR 160.207 are encouraged to notify the COTP at least 48-hours before the vessel enters the RNA to facilitate scheduling and minimize delays. Updates are encouraged at least 12 hours before arriving at the RNA boundaries. The COTP may delay entry into the RNA to accommodate other commercial traffic.

(6) Vessels of 300 gross tons or greater shall be prohibited from entering the RNA when they are advised that a misfire or hangfire has occurred.

(7) For any vessel with another vessel/barge in tow transiting an active work area, the hawser or wire length of the tow shall not exceed 275 feet, measured from the towing bit on the tug to the point where the hawser or wire connects with the towed vessel or barge.

(8) Vessels of 300 gross tons or greater and tugs with tows, shall, prior to entering the RNA, ensure that they have sufficient propulsion and directional control to safely navigate the RNA under the prevailing conditions.

(9) Vessels of 300 gross tons or greater and tugs with tows are prohibited from meeting or overtaking vessels of 300 gross tons or greater or tugs with tows in active work areas or within one nautical mile of an active work area.

(10) The Captain of the Port, North Carolina may, upon written request, authorize a deviation from any regulation in this section if it is found that the proposed operations can be done safely. An application for deviation must be received not less than 48 hours before intended operation and must state the need and describe the proposal.

[CGD05-01-006, 66 FR 39099, July 27, 2001, as amended by USCG-2011-0368, 76 FR 26605, May 9, 2011]