[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6514]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 110
[CGD1-90-202]
Anchorage Ground; Boston Harbor, Boston, MA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is withdrawing a proposed rule to amend
existing anchorage ground regulations for Boston Harbor. This
withdrawal is a result of a comprehensive review of the use of the
local anchorages in Boston Harbor, recent rules issued, written
opinions received, and oral comments expressed at a public meeting held
on December 15, 1993.
DATES: This proposed rulemaking is withdrawn on March 24, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR E.O. Coates at 617-223-3000, or by mail to Commanding Officer,
USCG Marine Safety Office, 455 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109-
1045. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice withdraws the notice of proposed
rulemaking to amend existing anchorage ground regulations in 33 CFR
110.134 for Boston Harbor, published in the Federal Register April 3,
1992 (57 FR 11455, CGD1-90-202). The original goals of the proposed
rule were: (1) To assure maximum availability of the limited deepwater
anchorage area within Boston Harbor for use by deepdraft vessels; (2)
to enhance safety and to reduce environmental risks associated with the
carriage and transfer of oil products aboard the ships and barges that
anchor in Boston Harbor. Several developments since the publication of
the proposed rule have occurred which make it unnecessary.
Recent dredging in the Weymouth Fore River has alleviated some of
the congestion at the President Roads Anchorage. The barges which have
filled Anchorage No. 1 for the dredging portion of Boston's Third
Harbor Tunnel construction, will be out of Anchorage No. 1 by the
summer of 1994 and will free up space for other barge traffic currently
utilizing the President Roads Anchorage. In addition, the Army Corps of
Engineers plans to expand the President Roads Anchorage which will
provide greater access for vessels. The Coast Guard, Army Corps of
Engineers, Boston Pilots, Massport, and local shipping agents and
companies, held a meeting on December 15, 1993. They agreed that better
communication between entities using the President Roads Anchorage
should solve any potential overcrowding problem at the anchorage. The
Boston Pilots Association has agreed to act as an information
clearinghouse for users of the President Roads Anchorage.
Recent regulations mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) have forced
operators to improve response capabilities and minimize the impact of
oil spills. Vessel response plan (58 FR 7376), lightering (58 FR
48434), and on-board equipment requirements (58 FR 67996) have been
published in the Federal Register since the publication of this
proposed rule. They have helped to reduce environmental risks
associated with the carriage and transfer of oil products aboard the
ships and barges that anchor in Boston Harbor.
Finally, the main premise for anchorage regulations is that
navigation safety is improved and commerce is facilitated. Excluding
barges from this anchorage has the potential to restrict commerce
(i.e., the tug and tow industry).
Nine written comments were received by this office. Six of the nine
comments strongly opposed the proposed rule due to their view that it
unduly restricted barges from anchoring in the President Roads
Anchorage. Two comments received requested the Coast Guard become the
clearinghouse for information on anchorage activities. One comment
received requested the Coast Guard provide language in the rule to
allow for lightering/bunkering operations in Board Sound due to the
overcrowding at the President Roads Anchorage. Two comments received
requested increased regulation of watchstanding standards aboard
vessels at anchorage. Other comments received requested minor
clarification of the rule, but were not substantive in nature. All
verbal comments expressed at the meeting held on December 15, 1993,
reflect the text of this notice and the desire to withdraw the proposed
rule.
The Captain of the Port carefully considered all written and verbal
comments and concluded that safety concerns expressed in the notice of
proposed rulemaking had been adequately addressed by the present and
future operating conditions at the President Roads Anchorage and other
Boston Harbor anchorages. In addition, the information clearinghouse
sponsored by the Boston Pilots should minimize any overcrowding at the
President Roads Anchorage.
For the reasons stated above, the notice of proposed rulemaking,
CGD1-90-202, is withdrawn.
Dated: March 7, 1994.
G.W. Abrams,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 94-6514 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
