§ 165.T10-0693 - Regulated Navigation Area; Greenville Bridge Demolition, Lower Mississippi River, Mile 531.3.

(a) Regulated Navigation Area. The following is a regulated navigation area (RNA): All waters of the Lower Mississippi River beginning at mile 528 and ending at mile 535 extending the entire width of the waterway.

(b) Applicability. This section applies to all vessels and craft operating on the waters of the Mississippi in or near the RNA or approaching the RNA with intentions of transiting the RNA.

(c) Effective dates. This rule is effective in the CFR from November 2, 2010 through November 1, 2012. This rule is effective with actual notice for purposes of enforcement from October 22, 2010 through November 1, 2012.

(d) Definitions. As used in this section:

COTP means Captain of the Port, Lower Mississippi River;

Closure means any time this RNA is enforced and normal traffic is halted from proceeding in or through the RNA due to operations that could pose potential safety hazards involved in the demolition of the Greenville Bridge;

Demolition means the removal, staging or preparation thereof, of any part of the old Greenville Bridge, Lower Mississippi River, Mile 531.3;

Designated representative includes any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard designated by the COTP Lower Mississippi to authorize entry into the RNA;

Downbound means the vessel is traveling with the current;

Site representative means the person so designated by the demolition contractor (Granite Construction Company) or the bridge owner (Mississippi Department of Transportation) whose responsibility it is to inform vessels in the vicinity of the demolition work of any possible hazards or encroachments to the waterway;

Upbound means the vessel is traveling against the current; and

Vessel or craft means any waterborne manmade object designed to convey people or goods.

(e) Regulations. During closure, in accordance with the general regulations in §165.23 of this part:

(1) Entry into this zone by vessels or mariners is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative. They may be contacted on VHF–FM channel 16 or by telephone at (866) 777–2784;

(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP Lower Mississippi River and designated representatives;

(3) Minimum safe speed will be required of all vessels transiting the RNA;

(4) Vessels shall not meet or pass in the RNA;

(5) No vessel shall anchor, stop, remain or drift without power at any time in the RNA;

(6) All vessels shall continually monitor VHF–FM channel 13 on their radio-telephone while operating in, near, or approaching the RNA;

(7) Before entering the RNA, downbound vessels shall make a broadcast in the blind on VHF–FM channel 13 announcing their estimated time of arrival at the upriver start of the RNA at mile 535 to ensure that there are no upbound vessels within the RNA and in sufficient time that:

(i) If there are vessels in the RNA the downbound vessel shall adjust its speed so as to avoid a meeting situation in the RNA.

(ii) If the RNA is temporarily closed to vessel traffic the downbound vessel can take all way off and hold station or push in upriver of mile 535.

(iii) The site representative can pass any pertinent information that would aid the vessel in the safe transit of the demolition site. If the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District determines that hazardous conditions exist, a towboat (tug) shall be provided by the contractor or bridge owner to assist vessels through the bridge on demand; and

(8) Before entering the RNA, upbound vessels shall make a broadcast in the blind on VHF–FM channel 13 announcing their estimated time of arrival at the downriver start of the RNA at mile 528 to ensure that there are no downbound vessels within the RNA and in sufficient time that:

(i) If there are vessels in the RNA the upbound vessel shall adjust its speed so as to avoid a meeting situation in the RNA.

(ii) If the RNA is temporarily closed to vessel traffic the upbound vessel can take all way off and hold station or push in downriver of mile 528.

(iii) The site representative can pass any pertinent information that would aid the vessel in the safe transit of the demolition site. If the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District determines that hazardous conditions exist, a towboat (tug) shall be provided by the contractor or bridge owner to assist vessels through the bridge on demand.

(f) Informational broadcasts. The Captain of the Port, Lower Mississippi River will inform the public as soon as practical when closures are expected via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Notice for any closure that will last longer than 4 hours will be given a minimum of 7 days before the scheduled closure, unless an emergent situation exists. Notice for any closure that will last longer than 2 hours but less than 4 hours will be given at least 72 hours before the closure. Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be broadcast every two hours while the RNA is closed to traffic. Additionally, a schedule of known closures will be published in the Eighth District Local Notice to Mariners and at http://homeport.uscg.mil. Select “LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER (MEMPHIS)” under the Port Directory tab. The schedule will appear under the Notice to Mariners subcategory.

Effective Date Note:   By USCG–2010–0693, 75 FR 67219, Nov. 2, 2010, temporary §165.T10–0693 was added, effective Nov. 2, 2010 through Nov. 1, 2012.