[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24598-24599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11302]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 84
Coast Guard
[CGD 95-037]
Adequacy of Barge and Tug Navigation Lights
agency: Coast Guard, DOT.
action: Request for comments.
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summary: Concern has been expressed that current lighting requirements
are not adequate for towing vessels and vessels under tow. The Coast
Guard also receives frequent requests for clarification of lighting
requirements. Therefore, it has asked the Navigation Safety Advisory
Council (NAVSAC) to review this issue. It also solicits public comments
on the need for possible changes to or clarification of lighting
requirements.
dates: Written comments must be received not later than September 6,
1995.
addresses: Written comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary,
Marine Safety Council (G-LRA), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW,
Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the same
address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments will become part of this docket and will be
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, Coast Guard
Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
for further information contact: Ms. Margie G. Hegy, Executive
Director, Navigation Safety Advisory Council, phone (202) 267-0415.
This telephone is equipped to take messages on a 24-hour basis.
supplementary information: The Inland Navigation Rules (Navigation
Rules) are set forth in 33 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. Lighting requirements
for towing vessels and vessels under tow are contained in Rule 24, 33
U.S.C. 2024. Under 33 U.S.C. 2071, the Secretary of Transportation may
issue regulations to implement and interpret the Navigation Rules. The
Secretary is also directed to establish technical annexes. The
technical annex for lighting requirements is contained in 33 CFR Part
84. This annex specifies placement requirements for lights, including
placement of lights on towing vessels and vessels under tow.
Safety concerns associated with towing operations and small craft
traffic have been raised in recent years in several publications,
including the American Boat and Yacht Council Newsletter, U.S. Coast
Guard boating Safety Circulars, America's Inland and Coastal Tug and
Barge Operators pamphlet ``Life Lines'', and various yachting
magazines. The safety aspects of barge lighting were discussed at the
May 1994 meeting of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council
(NBSAC). At its November 1994 meeting, NAVSAC was also asked to
consider whether current tug and tow lighting requirements are
adequate.
After considerable discussion, NAVSAC concluded that additional
information was needed to determine whether there was an actual
problem, and, if so, possible solutions. the Council unanimously passed
a resolution requesting that the Coast Guard solicit public comments on
whether towing vessels and vessels being towed are sufficiently lighted
while underway.
In addition to other information you may wish to provide, NAVSAC is
particularly interested in receiving comments regarding the lighting of
barges towed astern. There has been concern that an approaching vessel
could misinterpret prescribed lighting and not realize the presence of
a towing hawser. The length of the hawser can be considerable, up to
one-half mile in some waters, and the positions of the barge(s) are not
always directly astern of the towing vessel. Barges towed astern are
currently lighted with sidelights and a stern light only, the same as a
sailing vessel, while barges pushed ahead or towed alongside also carry
a ``special yellow flashing'' light forward.
One suggestion under consideration by NAVSAC is extending the
requirement for a yellow flashing light to barges towed astern. After
an approaching vessel identifies that a barge is under tow it will be
able to determine the location of the towing hawser.
Another suggestion is that a towing vessel towing astern be
required to show [[Page 24599]] three masthead lights regardless of the
length of the tow. This would clearly indicate that a hawser is in use.
The two masthead lights would be reserved for a towing vessel pushing
ahead or towing alongside. Currently, three masthead lights are shown
only if the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters--if less than 200
meters, two masthead lights are carried, the same as when pushing ahead
or towing alongside.
Barges pushed ahead or towed alongside are also of concern because
of the large expanse of hull with no lights. The Coast Guard routinely
receives requests for clarification of Rule 24(f), usually in
conjunction with a specific scenario/lighting scheme that has been
observed or a proposed lighting scheme.
Comments should clearly describe any problems associated with barge
lighting and, if possible, provide potential solutions. The Coast Guard
is particularly interested in recommendations that would not require
amendment of the Navigation Rules. The Coast Guard also desires to
ensure conformity with the International Rules. In adopting the
International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72
COLREGS), the United States not only agreed that its vessels would
abide by those regulations when in international waters, but also that
any special rules adopted by the United States for use on waterways
connected with the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels would
``conform as closely as possible to these rules'' (72 COLREGS, Rule 1).
Comments received in response to this notice will be considered by
the Coast Guard and NAVSAC. A Rules of the Road Committee will convene
at the next Council meeting, tentatively scheduled to be held in New
Orleans, LA on November 10-12, 1995, to continue discussions on this
issue. This meeting will be announced by a notice in the Federal
Register.
Dated: May 2, 1995.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-11302 Filed 5-8-95; 8:45 am]
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