2017-06496. Safety Zones; Annual Events Requiring Safety Zones in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone-Start of the Chicago to Mackinac Race

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Start of the Chicago to Mackinac Race on a portion of Lake Michigan on July 15, 2017. This action is intended to ensure the safety of life on the navigable waterway immediately before, during, and after this event. During the enforcement period listed below, no vessel may transit this safety zone without approval from the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.929 will be enforced for the location listed in item (e)(45) in Table 165.929 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on July 15, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the Safety Zone; Start of the Chicago to Mackinac Race listed as item (e)(45) in Table 165.929 of 33 CFR 165.929. Section 165.929 lists many annual events requiring safety zones in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone. This safety zone encompasses all waters of Lake Michigan in the vicinity of the Navy Pier at Chicago IL, within a rectangle that is approximately 1500 by 900 yards. The rectangle is bounded by the coordinates beginning at 41°53.252′ N., 087°35.430′ W.; then south to 41°52.812′ N., 087°35.430′ W.; then east to 41°52.817′ N., 087°34.433′ W.; then north to 41°53.250′ N., 087°34.433′ W.; then west, back to point of origin. This safety zone will be enforced on July 15, 2017, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

All vessels must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan, or his or her designated on-scene representative to enter, move within, or exit this safety zone during the enforcement times listed in this notice of enforcement. Requests must be made in advance and approved by the Captain of the Port before transits will be authorized. Approvals will be granted on a case-by-case basis. 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 authority of 33 CFR 165.929, Safety Zones; Annual events requiring safety zones in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone, and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). The Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with advance notification of this enforcement period via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and Local Notice to Mariners. The Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16 during the event.

Dated: March 27, 2017.

A.B. Cocanour,

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