§ 165.T13-221 - Safety Zone; Arctic Drilling and Support Vessels, Puget Sound, Washington.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters encompassed within 500 yards of the following vessels: NOBLE DISCOVERER, KULLUK, NORTICA, FENNICA, TOISA DAUNTLESS, TOR VIKING II, HARVEY EXPLORER, HARVEY SPIRIT, HARVY SISUAQ, AIVIQ, NANUQ, GUARDSMAN, KALMATH, ARTIC CHALLENGER, TUUQ, LAUREN FOSS, CORBIN FOSS, ARCTIC ENDEAVOR, and POINT OLIKTOK, to include the lead towing vessels and assist tugs, and associated towing gear, including the towline, while these vessels are transiting in the Sector Puget Sound Captain Of The Port (COTP) Zone as defined in 33 CFR 3.65-10.

(b) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 CFR part 165, subpart C, no person may enter or remain in the safety zone created in this rule unless authorized by the COTP or his Designated Representative. A “designated representative” is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who has been designated by the COTP to act on his or her behalf. The COTP has granted general permission for persons or vessels to enter the outer 400 yards of the safety zone, aft of the pilot house of the vessel or lead towing vessels, as applicable, as long as those vessels within the outer 400 yards of the safety zone operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain course unless required to maintain speed by the navigation rules. The COTP may be assisted by other federal, state, or local agencies with the enforcement of the safety zone.

(c) Authorization. All vessel operators who desire to enter the inner 100 yards of the safety zone or transit the outer 400 yards at greater than minimum speed necessary to maintain course unless required to maintain speed by the navigation rules must obtain permission from the COTP or a Designated Representative by contacting the on-scene Coast Guard patrol craft on VHF 13 or Ch 16. Requests must include the reason why movement within this area is necessary. Vessel operators granted permission to enter the safety zone will be escorted by the on-scene Coast Guard patrol craft until they are outside of the safety zone.

(d) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced through August 1, 2012, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port.