[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47462-47464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22622]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army
33 CFR Part 207
St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks, MI; Use, Administration and
Navigation
AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Corps of Engineers proposes to amend its regulations on
procedures to navigate the St. Marys Falls Canal and Soo Locks at Sault
St. Marie, Michigan to incorporate changes in navigation procedures
published in Notice to Navigation Interests over the last three years.
We propose to change the location where up bound vessels seeking
passage through the Soo Locks request lock dispatch. We also propose to
establish the minimum number of line handlers that vessels should have
while locking through the Soo Locks, place a restriction on the use of
bow/stern thrusters while transiting through the Soo Locks, add a
procedure for vessels departing from the MacArthur and Poe Locks
simultaneously or at approximately the same time, and add a tug assist
procedure for self-powered vessels.
DATES: Written comments must be received by October 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW-OD, 20 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000. Comments may also be faxed to
(202) 761-1685 or e-mail to james.d.hilton@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Hilton, Dredging and
Navigation Branch (CECW-OD) at (202) 761-8830 or Mr. Michael O'Bryan,
Assistant Chief, Construction-Operations Division, Detroit District at
(313) 226-6444.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to its authority in section 4 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act of August 18, 1894 (28 Stat. 362; 33 U.S.C.
1), the Corps is proposing to amend the regulations in 33 CFR part
207.440(c), (e), (f), (h), and (r). The regulation governing the
operation of the St. Marys Falls Canal and locks, 33 CFR 207.440 was
adopted on November 27, 1945 (10 F.R. 14451) and has been amended at
various times.
Paragraph (c) is being amended to formally establish the call-in
location and change in call sign currently being utilized by vessel
owners. The current call-in location was published in the Notice to
Navigation Interests on September 13, 1990. The call sign was changed
due to the realignment of the
[[Page 47463]]
Corps of Engineers Division Offices and was published in a Notice to
Navigation Interests on November 25, 1997. Amending paragraph (c)
responds to a request from users of the Soo Locks to further formalize
the up bound call-in point by changing the regulation for operating the
locks.
Paragraph (e) is being amended to establish a requirement for
vessels passing through the locks to provide line handlers. Over the
past decade, the number of line handlers provided by the Government has
decreased. On April 19, 1996, the Corps Detroit District published a
Notice to Navigation Interests indicating that the Government would no
longer provide pier line handlers. This amendment adds a requirement
that vessels provide line handlers for passage through the locks and
delineates the number of line handlers required based on weather and
vessel conditions.
Paragraph (f) is being amended to restrict the use of bow and stern
thrusters while the vessel is in the locks. The purpose of this change
is to reduce the negative effects caused by the currents and water
movement created by use of thrusters that may damage the locks walls
and gates. Restrictions on the use of bow/stern thrusters were first
published in a Notice to Navigation Interests in 1978.
Paragraph (h) is being amended to establish a procedure for the
order of departure for vessels attempting to leave the MacArthur and
Poe Locks simultaneously. This procedure is a safety measure to prevent
two vessels from being in the lock canals at the same time. The
procedure was published in a Notice to Navigation Interests dated April
19, 1996.
Paragraph (r) is being amended to establish a tug-assist
requirement for vessels without bow and stern thrusters and for other
types of powered vessels that may have difficulty maneuvering in close
quarters while navigating at low speed. High winds, changing currents
and inclement weather may affect a vessel's ability to maneuver within
close quarters while at low speeds. This procedure was published in a
Notice to Navigation Interests dated March 18, 1997.
This proposed rule is not a major rule for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act,
the Corps of Engineers certifies that this proposed rule will not have
a significant impact on small business entities.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 207
Navigation (water), Water transportation, Vessels.
For reasons set out in the preamble, Title 33, Chapter II of the
Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 207--NAVIGATION REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 207 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 28 Stat. 362 (33 U.S.C. 1).
2. Section 207.440 is amended by revising paragraphs (c), (e), (f),
(h) and (r) to read as follows:
Sec. 207.440 St. Marys Falls Canal and Locks, Mich.; use,
administration, and navigation.
* * * * *
(c) Upon approaching the canal, vessel masters shall request lock
dispatch by radiotelephone to the Corps of Engineers Chief Lockmaster
at St. Marys Falls Canal dispatch tower (Radio Call WUE-21). Every up
bound vessel requiring lock transit shall request lock dispatch
immediately before initiating the turn at Mission Point at the
intersection of Course 1, Bayfield Channel, and Course 2, Little Rapids
Cut. Every down bound vessel shall call when approximately one-half
mile downstream from Big Point.
* * * * *
(e)(1) Manning requirements. On all vessels of 400 gross tons or
over navigating the canal under their own power, the following ship's
officers shall be on duty: In the pilot house, on the bridge, or in the
immediate vicinity thereof, the master, one mate, and one wheelsman; in
the engine room, the chief engineer, one assistant engineer, and one
oiler or other member of the crew familiar with the operation of the
engine. During transit of the locks, all vessels of 400 gross tons or
over equipped with power operated mooring deck winches shall have, in
addition to the winch operators, mates or signalman at the forward and
after ends of the vessel to direct operations from points providing
maximum vision of both the winch operators and canal linesmen.
(2) Linehandlers.--(i) Cargo vessels equipped with bow thrusters
and friction winches. Two line handlers from the vessel are required on
the piers under normal weather conditions. Lockmasters can ask for
three persons under severe weather conditions. If a vessel is
experiencing mechanical problems or in extreme severe weather
situations, the lockmaster may require four vessel-supplied line
handlers on the pier.
(ii) Vessels with non-friction winches or lack of both bow and
stern thrusters. Four vessel-supplied line handlers are required on the
pier at all times.
(f) Vessel restrictions. (1) Speed limits. Within the limits of the
canal, vessels approaching the locks shall not navigate at a speed
greater than 2\1/2\ miles per hour, and vessels leaving the locks shall
not navigate at a speed greater than 6 miles per hour. Tugs assisting
vessels in passing through the locks may be authorized by the District
Engineer or his authorized agents to navigate at a higher speed when
considered necessary to expedite canal operations.
(2) Use of bow/stern thrusters. Bow and/or stern thruster use shall
be kept to a minimum while transiting the Soo Locks. Thrusters shall
not be used while the thrusters are opposite lock gates. They may be
used sparingly for short durations within the lock to maintain the ship
position near the mooring wall or in an emergency. Thrusters shall be
at zero thrust during the period the ship is stopped and moored to the
wall with all lines out, and during raising and lowering of pool levels
within the chamber.
* * * * *
(h) Vessel lockage order. (1) Arrival. All registered vessels will
be passed through the locks in the order of their arrival at the
dispatch point unless otherwise directed by the District Engineer or
his authorized agents. When a vessel that has stopped on its own
business is ready to proceed, it is not entitled to precedence over
other vessels already dispatched.
(2) Departure. The following order of departure procedure will
apply to vessels leaving the MacArthur Lock and Poe Lock simultaneously
or at approximately the same time:
(i) The first vessel to leave will be the vessel in the lock which
is ready for vessel release first. The vessel in the other lock will be
restrained by the gates remaining closed and the wire rope fender
remaining in the down position.
(A) On down bound passages, the vessel retained shall not leave the
lock until such time as the bow of the vessel leaving first reaches the
end of the East Center pier.
(B) On up bound passages, the vessel retained shall not leave the
lock until such time as the bow of the vessel leaving first reaches the
railroad bridge.
(ii) When a 1,000 foot vessel is ready to depart the Poe Lock and a
vessel has left the MacArthur Lock already, the 1,000 foot vessel may
start to leave once the bow of the other vessel reaches the end of the
respective nose pier.
(A) Vessels will remain in radio contact with each other and with
the Chief Lockmaster at all times until clear of the lock area.
(B) The need for a deviation from the procedures set forth in
[[Page 47464]]
Sec. Sec. 207.440(h)(2)(i)(A) and (B) and 207.440(h)(2)(i) will be
determined on a case by case basis by the Chief Lockmaster.
* * * * *
(r) Tug assist procedure. (1) Self-powered vessels. Mariners are
advised that oftentimes adverse local weather conditions, i.e., high
winds, current conditions and/or inclement weather, exists as vessels
approach, enter and/or depart the Soo Locks. These conditions combined
with close quarters slow speed maneuvering, particularly with large
vessels not equipped with bow or stern thrusters, may cause control
difficulties for certain classes of vessels. Therefore, any vessel
requesting lockage which in the opinion of the Vessel Master in
consultation with the Pilot on board, where applicable may experience
severe control problems due to the above conditions, must request
assistance by one or more tugs to ensure full control over the vessel
at all times. Vessel Masters and Pilots must consult with the
Lockmaster concerning local conditions well in advance of arrival at
the lock to allow tug assistance to be arranged if necessary. These
guidelines apply to all vessels.
(2) Non self-powered vessels. All barges or other vessels
navigating within the canal and not operating under their own power,
whether approaching or leaving the locks, are required to be assisted
by one or more tugs of sufficient power to insure full control at all
times.
* * * * *
Dated: August 26, 1999.
Eric R. Potts,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Executive Director of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 99-22622 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GA-P
