[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36037-36038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17471]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 84
[CGD 95-037]
Adequacy of Barge and Tug Navigation Lights
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of termination.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This request for comments was initiated in response to
concerns expressed by the marine community, both commercial and
recreational, that current lighting requirements for towing vessels and
vessels being towed are not adequate. The Coast Guard solicited public
input regarding current lighting requirements. However, after review
and discussion of the comments, the Coast Guard has concluded that
there are no problems with the lighting of underway tug and barge
combinations which can be addressed through changes to current lighting
requirements for towing vessels and vessels under tow. Therefore, the
Coast Guard is terminating further action under docket number 95-037.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Diane Schneider, Project Manager, Vessel Traffic Management
Division (G-MOV), (202) 267-0415.
DATES: This termination is effective on July 3, 1997.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Inland Navigation Rules (Navigation
Rules) are set forth in 33 U.S.C. 2001, et seq., and Commandant
Instruction M16672.2C. (The Inland Navigation Rules also will be set
forth in future versions of this Commandant Instruction which will
likely be issued under slightly different instruction numbers.) 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 National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC).
At its November 1994 meeting, the Navigation Safety Advisory Council
(NAVSAC) was asked to consider whether current tug and tow lighting
requirements under Navigation Rule 24 are adequate.
NAVSAC concluded that additional information was needed to
determine whether there was an actual problem, and, if so, to determine
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.
On May 9, 1995, the Coast Guard published a Request for Comments in
the Federal Register (60 FR 24598). The Coast Guard received 94
comments. In response to some of these comments, the Coast Guard
published a notice (60 FR 53726; October 17, 1995) and held a public
meeting at the Holiday Inn Downtown/Convention Center, 811 North Ninth
Street, St. Louis, MO 63101 on November 11, 1995.
After careful review and discussion of the comments, NAVSAC
determined that the problems associated with the lighting of barges
were not due to the lighting configuration but rather due to other
factors. The Coast Guard agrees
[[Page 36038]]
that other factors--such as the lack of boater education in recognizing
lighting configurations; no licensing requirement for recreational
boaters; boating while intoxicated; and the lack of compliance with
existing lighting requirements--are responsible for the problems.
Therefore, no rulemaking is necessary, and the Coast Guard is
terminating further action under docket number 95-037.
Dated: June 24, 1997
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety
and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-17471 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
