2018-28138. Safety Zone, Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan Including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, and Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, Chicago, IL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel on all waters of the main branch of the Chicago River 600 feet west of the Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge and 1,000 feet east of the Columbus Drive Bridge from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2018 through 12:15 a.m. on January 1, 2019. This action is necessary and intended to ensure the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after this fireworks display. During the enforcement period listed below transiting within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.930 will be enforced from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2018 through 12:15 a.m. on January 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this notice of enforcement, call or email LT John Ramos, Waterways Management Division, Marine Safety Unit Chicago, at 630-986-2155, email address [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce a segment of the Safety Zone; Brandon Road Lock and Dam to Lake Michigan including Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Chicago River, Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, Chicago, IL, listed in 33 CFR 165.930. Specifically, the Coast Guard will enforce this safety zone on all waters of the main branch of the Chicago River 600 feet west of the Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge and 1,000 feet east of the Columbus Drive Bridge from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2018 through 12:15 a.m. on January 1, 2019. During the enforcement period, no vessel may enter into, transit, moor lay up or anchor within this regulated area without approval from the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a Captain of the Port Lake Michigan designated representative. Vessels and persons granted permission to enter the safety zone shall obey all lawful orders or directions of the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene representative.

This notice of enforcement is issued under the authority of 33 CFR 165.930 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this publication in the Federal Register, the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan will also provide notice through other means, which will include Broadcast Notice to Mariners, distribution in leaflet form, and/or on-scene oral notice. Additionally, the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan may notify representatives from the maritime industry through telephonic and email notifications. If the Captain of the Port or a designated representative determines that the regulated area need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice of enforcement, he or she may use a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to grant general permission to enter the regulated area. The Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated on-scene representative may be contacted via Channel 16, VHF-FM or at [phone].

Dated: December 14, 2018.

Thomas J. Stuhlreyer,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Lake Michigan.