05-10364. Anchorage Grounds; Hampton Roads, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is revising the anchorage regulations in the Port of Hampton Roads. Infrastructure improvements and increases in vessel traffic and draft calling on the port have prompted this rulemaking. This regulation will ensure that the Hampton Roads Anchorage Grounds continue to safely support current and future vessel anchoring demands.

DATES:

This rule is effective June 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of the docket CGD05-04-043 and are available for inspection or copying at Commander (oan), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Room 401, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except public holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lieutenant Junior Grade Timothy Martin, Fifth Coast Guard District, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch, [phone], Email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

On September 27, 2004 we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Anchorage Grounds, Hampton Roads, VA” in the Federal Register (69 FR 57656). We received one telephone call commenting on the proposed rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

On March 30, 2005 we published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) entitled “Anchorage Grounds Hampton Roads, VA” in the Federal Register (70 FR 16195). We received no comments on the SNPRM. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

Recreational, public, and commercial vessels use the Hampton Roads Anchorage Grounds. General regulations covering the anchorage of vessels in the port are set out in 33 CFR 110.168. In June 1986, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed a study of the Norfolk Harbor, including its anchorages. The study is entitled, “General Design Memorandum 1, Norfolk Harbor and Channels, Virginia, Main Report.” Comments from the Coast Guard, Navy, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Pilots Association and Hampton Roads Maritime Association requesting improvements to Anchorages F and K were considered in the study. Anchorage F currently has two 400-yard radius berths. The USACE, in 1998, constructed a single 500-yard radius berth for Anchorage F and is currently maintaining the anchorage at a project depth of 50 feet. This rule changes Anchorage F to a single 500 yard radius berth to reflect the construction completed by the USACE in 1998. The USACE was congressionally authorized in November of 1986 to increase the project depth of Anchorage F to 55 feet, see H. Doc. 99-85, 99th Cong., 1st session. Improvements were also proposed by the Coast Guard to the Newport News Middle Ground, Anchorage K, by increasing the easternmost berth, K-1 from a swing radius of 400 yards to one of 500 yards. In addition, Berth K-2, currently maintained at 40 feet, would be deepened to 45 feet. The increase in size to Berth K-1, the increase in depth to Berth K-2, and the increase in depth to Anchorage F have all been congressionally authorized and will be scheduled for construction once the increase in vessel drafts support the project. The circular boundaries for Berth K-1, referred to as East Anchorage, and Berth K-2, referred to as West Anchorage, will be shown on future chart editions for the area when this rule is published.

The overall boundary of Anchorage K has been changed so that the entire anchorage lies north of the Fairway for Shallow Draft Vessels and Tows.

A new quarantine anchorage, new Anchorage Q, replaces Berth K-3, which is currently not maintained by the USACE. The new quarantine anchorage is located east of York Spit Channel between Chesapeake Channel Lighted Buoy 36 (LL 7215) and Chesapeake Channel Lighted Buoy 38 (LL 7230), west of Cape Charles. The new anchorage is located in naturally deep water with charted depths in excess of 60 feet and has two 500 yard, swing-radius berths.

Current trends indicate that shipping companies will call on the Port of Hampton Roads using larger, deeper draft vessels, thereby creating a need for fewer trips when visiting the Port of Hampton Roads in the future. With the increase in size, The Navigation Plan for the Port of Hampton Roads, conducted by the USACE in February of 2000, indicated that by the year 2010 almost 40 percent of containerized cargo will be moved on ships capable of carrying 4,000 twenty-foot trailer equivalent units (TEU). Some “Mega Ships” already in service are capable of carrying up to 6,000 TEUs. Hyuandai Heavy Industries is currently building ships with 10,000 TEU capacities for delivery to Cosco. The average container ship calling on the port today carries between 1,500 and 4,000 TEUs. The bulk carriers that call on the Port of Hampton Roads have also increased in size and will play a significant role in the port's future design considerations. In addition to the projected increase in the size of vessels calling on the Port of Hampton Roads, there are two infrastructure improvement projects in the port that affect the anchorage grounds. In September 2001, APM Terminals North America, Inc. (Maersk) purchased 570 acres of property located on the Elizabeth River, south of Craney Island. Dredging has begun in the vicinity of Anchorage P for the development of a major marine container handling facility on this property. The first ship is due to moor at this new terminal sometime in 2007. Anchorage P lies between the future terminal and the Federal navigation channel. Parts of Anchorage P will be made unusable following completion of the terminal and the approach channels. Maersk has requested the discontinuation of Anchorage P.

Likewise, construction of the Norfolk International Terminal North (NIT North) approach channel, which passes through the existing Anchorage M, has rendered that anchorage unusable. This rule discontinues Anchorage M.

To further enhance the safety of the port's anchorages, this rule amends the boundaries of Berths 3 and 4 within Explosive Anchorage G. Currently, these berths overlap each other and pose a potential hazard to anchored vessels. The rule separates the berths, eliminating the risk of collision as a result of overlapping swing circles.

The rule renames existing Anchorage R as Anchorage M, renames existing Anchorage T as Anchorage N, renames existing Anchorage U, The Hague, as Anchorage O, The Hague. The rule eliminates existing Anchorages Q and S. The changes are listed in the following table:

Current Anchorage [33 CFR 110.168 (a)]	Change.
A—Cape Henry Naval Anchorage (1)	No change.
B—Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoals Channel Naval Anchorage (CBTSC) [(2)(i)]	No change.
C—CBTSC Naval Anchorage [(2)(ii)]	No change.
D—CBTSC Navel Anchorage [(2)(iii)]	No change.
E—Commercial Explosive Anchorage [(2)(iv)]	No change.
E-1—Explosive Handling Berth [(2)(v)(A)]	No change.
F—Hampton Bar [(3)(i)]	No changes to anchorage limits. One 500 yard swing radius berth will replace two 400 yard swing radius berths. Single berth dredged to a depth of 50 feet in 1998, authorized depth 55 feet. New regulations included in part [(e)(3)] exclude vessels with drafts less than 45 ft from using Anchorage F without permission from the Captain of the Port. Previously, vessels with a draft less than 40 ft and a length of less than 700 ft were excluded.
F-1—[(3)(i)(A)]	Designation refers to 500 yard berth.
F-2—[(3)(i)(B)]	Discontinued.
G—Hampton Flats Naval Explosives Anchorage [(3)(ii)]	New center positions created for Berths 3 and 4, removing overlapping circumferences.
G-1—Explosives Handling Berth [(3)(ii)(A)]	No change.
G-2—Explosives Handling Berth [(3)(ii)(B)]	No change.
G-3—Explosives Handling Berth [(3)(ii)(C)]	A new center position replaces current center position removing overlapping circumferences with G-4.
G-4—Explosives Handling Berth [(3)(ii)(D)]	A new center position replaces current center position removing overlapping circumferences with G-3.
H—Newport News Bar [(3)(iii)]	No change.
I—Newport News [(4)(i)]	No change to overall anchorage boundaries.
I-1—[(4)(i)(A)]	No change.
I-2—[(4)(i)(B)]	A new center position replaces current center position to remove ambiguous boundary lines.
J—Newport News Middle Ground [(4)(ii)]	New boundary lines.
K—Newport News Middle Ground [(4)(iii)]	New boundary lines. Replace boundary lines for K-1 and K-2 with berth circumferences. Discontinue K-3.
K-1—East Anchorage [(4)(iii)(A)]	K-1 will have a 400 yard swing radius and be maintained at a depth of 45 ft. Future plans include increasing the swing radius to 500 yards.
K-2—West Anchorage [(4)(iii)(B)]	K-2 will have a 400 yard swing radius and be maintained at a depth of 45 ft. Future plans include increasing the depth to 45 ft.
K-3—Quarantine Berth [(4)(iii)(C)]	Discontinued. New quarantine anchorage established adjacent to Cape Charles, east of York spit Channel.
L—Craney Island Flats [(4)(iv)]	New boundary lines.
M—Norfolk Harbor Channel Anchorages (NHCA) [(5)(i)]	Old Anchorage M is eliminated.
N—NHCA [(5)(ii)]	Old Anchorage N is eliminated.
O—NHCA [(5)(iii)]	Old Anchorage O is eliminated.
P—Lambert's Point [(6)(i)]	Anchorage P has been eliminated.
Q—Elizabeth River Anchorage (ERA) [(6)(ii)]	Anchorage Q has been eliminated.
R—ERA, Port Norfolk [(6)(iii)]	Current Anchorage R is redesignated Anchorage M.
S—ERA, Port Norfolk [(6)(iv)]	Anchorage S has been eliminated.
T—ERA, Hospital Point [(6)(v)]	Current Anchorage T is redisignated Anchorage N.
U—The Hague [(7)]	Current Anchorage U is redisignated Anchorage O.
Q—Quarantine Anchorage	New quarantine anchorage established adjacent to Cape Charles east of York Spit Channel.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

One comment was received via telephone from NOAA's Nautical Data Branch in Silver Spring, MD in response to the NPRM. The first two positions in Anchorage N, Hospital Point have been interchanged putting the positions in their intended sequence. Also noted by NOAA, the center coordinate for Berth Q-2 was inadvertently excluded from the NPRM when published in the Federal Register. The center coordinate for Berth Q-2 will be included in the final rule. The word “permission” has replaced the word “permit” in paragraph (c)(2), (d)(2), (e)(2), and, (e)(2)(iii) to align the regulation with current Coast Guard procedures.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. The rule changes complement current anchorage usage and waterway modifications made by the USACE resulting in minimal impact.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.

The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

The rule will affect the owners or operators of small pleasure craft wishing to anchor in the Elizabeth River anchorages that will be discontinued due to shallow natural water depths. Anchorages available for use by owners and operators of small pleasure craft include Hospital Point Anchorage, new Anchorage M in the vicinity of Portsmouth Marine Terminal, and The Hague.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its affects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(f), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation. The rule deals directly with establishing, disestablishing and renaming anchorage areas.

A final “Environmental Analysis Check list” and a final “Categorical Exclusion Determination” are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

• Anchorage grounds

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110—ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

1. The authority for part 110 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2030, 2035, and 2071; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Revise § 110.168 to read as follows:

110.168

Hampton Roads, Virginia and adjacent waters (Datum: NAD 83).

(a) Anchorage Grounds. (1) Anchorage A (Naval Anchorage). The waters bounded by the shoreline and a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°55′33.0″ N	76°02′47.0″ W
36°57′02.8″ N	76°03′02.6″ W
36°56′45.0″ N	76°01′30.0″ W
36°55′54.0″ N	76°01′37.0″ W

(2) Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoals Channel Anchorages.

(i) Anchorage B (Naval Anchorage). The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′58.0″ N	76°06′07.0″ W
36°57′11.0″ N	76°03′02.1″ W
36°55′48.8″ N	76°03′14.0″ W
36°56′31.8″ N	76°06′07.0″ W
36°57′04.0″ N	76°06′07.0″ W
36°57′08.5″ N	76°06′24.5″ W

(ii) Anchorage C (Naval Anchorage). The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°58′54.8″ N	76°09′41.5″ W
36°58′18.8″ N	76°07′18.0″ W
36°57′27.0″ N	76°07′37.5″ W
36°58′04.0″ N	76°10′00.0″ W

(iii) Anchorage D (Naval Anchorage). The waters bounded by the shoreline and a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°55′49.0″ N	76°10′32.8″ W
36°58′04.0″ N	76°10′02.1″ W
36°57′31.2″ N	76°07′54.8″ W
36°55′24.1″ N	76°08′28.8″ W

(iv) Anchorage E (Commercial Explosive Anchorage). The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°59′58.7″ N	76°13′47.0″ W
36°59′08.2″ N	76°10′33.8″ W
36°58′13.0″ N	76°10′51.8″ W
36°59′02.0″ N	76°14′10.2″ W

(v) Explosive Handling Berth E-1 (Explosives Anchorage Berth). The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°59′05.0″ N	76°11′23.0″ W

(3) Hampton Roads Anchorages. (i) Anchorage F, Hampton Bar. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°59′51.6″ N	76°19′12.0″ W
36°59′25.2″ N	76°18′48.5″ W
36°58′49.1″ N	76°19′33.8″ W
36°59′25.0″ N	76°20′07.0″ W

(ii) Anchorage Berth F-1. The waters bounded by a line connecting the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°59′29.1″ N	76°19′15.1″ W

(iii) Anchorage G, Hampton Flats (Naval Explosives Anchorage). The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°59′25.0″ N	76°20′07.0″ W
36°58′49.1″ N	76°19′33.8″ W
36°57′41.4″ N	76°21′07.7″ W
36°57′34.6″ N	76°21′26.7″ W
36°57′31.1″ N	76°22′01.9″ W
36°58′07.0″ N	76°22′03.0″ W
36°58′54.8″ N	76°21′42.6″ W

(iv) Explosives Handling Berth G-1. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′50.0″ N	76°21′37.0″ W

(v) Explosives Handling Berth G-2. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°58′14.0″ N	76°21′01.5″ W

(vi) Explosives Handling Berth G-3. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°58′34.2″ N	76°20′31.4″ W

(vii) Explosives Handling Berth G-4. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°58′54.9″ N	76°20′03.2″ W

(viii) Anchorage H, Newport News Bar. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°58′07.0″ N	76°22′03.0″ W
36°57′31.1″ N	76°22′01.9″ W
36°57′18.0″ N	76°24′11.2″ W
36°57′38.3″ N	76°24′20.0″ W
36°57′51.8″ N	76°22′31.0″ W

(4) James River Anchorages. (i) Anchorage I, Newport News. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′06.7″ N	76°24′44.3″ W
36°56′22.6″ N	76°24′28.0″ W
36°56′03.0″ N	76°24′37.0″ W
36°57′53.7″ N	76°26′41.5″ W
36°58′23.0″ N	76°27′11.0″ W
36°58′48.5″ N	76°27′11.0″ W
36°58′35.4″ N	76°26′38.4″ W
36°57′51.7″ N	76°26′02.8″ W
36°57′30.6″ N	76°25′34.5″ W

(ii) Anchorage Berth I-1. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 400 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′08.5″ N	76°25′21.6″ W

(iii) Anchorage Berth I-2. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 400 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′23.8″ N	76°25′46.0″ W

(iv) Anchorage J, Newport News Middle Ground. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°55′59.9″ N	76°22′11.7″ W
36°55′59.9″ N	76°24′00.0″ W
36°56′25.3″ N	76°23′48.0″ W
36°57′10.2″ N	76°24′09.9″ W
36°57′12.0″ N	76°23′47.3″ W
36°56′38.5″ N	76°21′39.1″ W
36°56′38.5″ N	76°20′47.0″ W

(v) Anchorage K, Newport News Middle Ground. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′56.4″ N	76°20′30.5″ W
36°57′08.5″ N	76°20′31.0″ W
36°56′48.8″ N	76°20′22.5″ W
36°56′45.0″ N	76°20′32.0″ W
36°56′45.0″ N	76°21′37.7″ W
36°57′14.1″ N	76°23′29.1″ W
36°57′28.1″ N	76°21′11.7″ W

(vi) Anchorage Berth K-1. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 400 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′30.5″ N	76°20′45.3″ W

(vii) Anchorage Berth K-2. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 400 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
36°57′16.8″ N	76°21′09.5″ W

(viii) Anchorage Berth L, Craney Island Flats. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°55′59.9″ N	76°22′11.7″ W
36°56′38.5″ N	76°20′45.5″ W
36°56′30.0″ N	76°20′24.3″ W
36°56′04.2″ N	76°20′26.2″ W

(5) Elizabeth River Anchorages. (i) Anchorage M, Port Norfolk. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°51′45.7″ N	76°19′31.5″ W
36°51′45.8″ N	76°19′20.7″ W
36°51′37.8″ N	76°19′24.3″ W
36°51′32.5″ N	76°19′31.1″ W
36°51′40.7″ N	76°19′37.3″ W
36°51′45.7″ N	76°19′31.5″ W

(ii) Anchorage N, Hospital Point. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
36°51′05.4″ N	76°18′22.4″ W
36°50′50.0″ N	76°18′00.0″ W
36°50′36.7″ N	76°17′52.8″ W
36°50′33.6″ N	76°17′58.8″ W
36°50′49.3″ N	76°18′09.0″ W
36°50′50.3″ N	76°18′07.8″ W
36°50′56.2″ N	76°18′12.5″ W
36°51′01.8″ N	76°18′32.3″ W

(iii) Anchorage O, The Hague. The waters of the basin known as “The Hague”, north of the Brambleton Avenue Bridge, except for the area within 100 feet of the bridge span that provides access to and from the Elizabeth River.

(6) Anchorage Q. Quarantine Anchorage. The waters bounded by a line connecting the following points:

Latitude	Longitude
37°17′13.7″ N	76°06′41.6″ W
37°17′30.3″ N	76°05′53.9″ W
37°16′25.0″ N	76°05′18.4″ W
37°16′08.4″ N	76°06′06.0″ W

(i) Anchorage Berth Q-1. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards and with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
37°17′05.7″ N	76°06′08.9″ W

(ii) Anchorage Berth Q-2. The waters bounded by the arc of a circle with a radius of 500 yards with the center located at:

Latitude	Longitude
37°16′33.0″ N	76°05′51.1″ W

(b) Definitions. As used in this section—

Class 1 (explosive) materials means Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 explosives, as defined in 49 CFR 173.50.

Dangerous cargo means “certain dangerous cargo” as defined in § 160.204 of this title.

U.S. naval vessel means any vessel owned, operated, chartered, or leased by the U.S. Navy; any pre-commissioned vessel under construction for the U.S. Navy, once launched into the water; and any vessel under the operational control of the U.S. Navy or a Combatant Command.

(c) General regulations. (1) Except as otherwise provided, this section applies to vessels over 20 meters long and vessels carrying or handling dangerous cargo or Class 1 (explosive) materials while anchored in an anchorage ground described in this section.

(2) Except as otherwise provided, a vessel may not occupy an anchorage for more than 30 days, unless the vessel obtains permission from the Captain of the Port.

(3) Except in an emergency, a vessel that is likely to sink or otherwise become a menace or obstruction to navigation or to the anchoring of other vessels, may not occupy an anchorage, unless the vessel obtains permission from the Captain of the Port.

(4) The Captain of the Port may, upon application, assign a vessel to a specific berth within an anchorage for a specified period of time.

(5) The Captain of the Port may grant a revocable permit to a vessel for a habitual use of a berth. Only the vessel that holds the revocable permit may use the berth during the period that the permit is in effect.

(6) The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, may authorize the establishment and placement of temporary mooring buoys within a berth. Placement of a fixed structure within an anchorage may be authorized by the District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

(7) If an application is for the long-term lay up of a vessel, the Captain of the Port may establish special conditions in the permit with which the vessel must comply.

(8) Upon notification by the Captain of the Port to shift its position within an anchorage, a vessel at anchor must get underway at once or signal for a tug. The vessel must move to its new location within 2 hours after notification.

(9) The Captain of the Port may prescribe specific conditions for vessels anchoring within the anchorages described in this section, including, but not limited to, the number and location of anchors, scope of chain, readiness of engineering plant and equipment, usage of tugs, and requirements for maintaining communications guards on selected radio frequencies.

(10) A vessel that does not have a sufficient crew on board to weigh anchor at any time must have two anchors in place, unless the Captain of the Port waives this requirement. Members of the crew may not be released until the required anchors have been set.

(11) No vessel at anchor or at a mooring within an anchorage may transfer oil to another vessel unless the vessel has given the Captain of the Port the four hours advance notice required by § 156.118 of this title.

(12) Barges may not anchor in the deeper portions of anchorages or interfere with the anchoring of deep-draft vessels.

(13) Barges towed in tandem to an anchorage must be nested together when anchored.

(14) Any vessel anchored or moored in an anchorage adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel or Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (MMBT) must be capable of getting underway within 30 minutes with sufficient power to keep free of the bridge tunnel complex.

(15) A vessel may not anchor or moor in an anchorage adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel or Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (MMBT) if its steering or main propulsion equipment is impaired.

(d) Regulations for vessels handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials. This paragraph applies to every vessel, except a naval vessel, handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials.

(1) Unless otherwise directed by the Captain of the Port, each commercial vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials must be anchored or moored within Anchorage Berth E-1.

(2) Each vessel, including each tug and stevedore boat, used for loading or unloading dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials in an anchorage, must have permission issued by the Captain of the Port.

(3) The Captain of the Port may require every person having business aboard a vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials while in an anchorage, other than a member of the crew, to hold a form of valid identification.

(4) Each person having business aboard a vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials while in an anchorage, other than a member of the crew, must present the identification prescribed by paragraph (d)(3) of this section to any Coast Guard boarding officer who requests it.

(5) Each non-self-propelled vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials must have a tug in attendance at all times while at anchor.

(6) Each vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials while at anchor must display by day a red flag (Bravo flag) in a prominent location and by night a fixed red light.

(e) Regulations for Specific Anchorages. (1) Anchorages A, B, C, and D. Except for a naval vessel, military support vessel, or vessel in an emergency situation, a vessel may not anchor in Anchorages A, B, C, or D without the permission of the Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port must consult with the Commander, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, before granting a vessel permission to anchor in Anchorages A, B, C, or D.

(2) Anchorage E. (i) A vessel may not anchor in Anchorage E without permission from the Captain of the Port.

(ii) The Captain of the Port must give commercial vessels priority over naval and public vessels.

(iii) The Captain of the Port may at any time revoke permission to anchor in Anchorage E issued under the authority of paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section.

(iv) A vessel may not anchor in Anchorage Berth E-1, unless it is handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials.

(v) A vessel may not anchor within 500 yards of Anchorage Berth E-1 without the permission of the Captain of the Port, if the berth is occupied by a vessel handling or carrying dangerous cargoes or Class 1 (explosive) materials.

(3) Anchorage F. A vessel having a draft less than 45 feet may not anchor in Anchorage F without the permission of the Captain of the Port. No vessel may anchor in Anchorage F for a longer period than 72 hours without permission from the Captain of the Port. Vessels expecting to be at anchor for more than 72 hours must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port.

(4) Anchorage G. (i) Except for a naval vessel, a vessel may not anchor in Anchorage G without the permission of the Captain of the Port.

(ii) When handling or transferring Class 1 (explosive) materials in Anchorage G, naval vessels must comply with Department of Defense Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards, or the standards in this section, whichever are the more stringent.

(iii) When barges and other vessels are berthed at the Ammunition Barge Mooring Facility, located at latitude 36°58′34″ N, longitude 76°21′12″ W., no other vessel, except a vessel that is receiving or offloading Class 1 (explosive) materials, may anchor within 1,000 yards of the Ammunition Barge Mooring Facility. Vessels transferring class 1 (explosive) materials must display by day a red flag (Bravo flag) in a prominent location and by night a fixed red light.

(iv) Whenever a vessel is handling or transferring Class 1 (explosive) materials while at anchor in Anchorage G, no other vessel may anchor in Anchorage G without the permission of the Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port must consult with the Commander, Naval Station Norfolk, before granting a vessel permission to anchor in Anchorage G.

(v) A vessel located within Anchorage G may not handle or transfer Class 1 (explosive) materials within 400 yards of Norfolk Harbor Entrance Reach.

(vi) A vessel may not handle or transfer Class 1 (explosive) materials within 850 yards of another anchored vessel, unless the other vessel is also handling or transferring Class 1 (explosive) materials.

(vii) A vessel may not handle or transfer Class 1 (explosive) materials within 850 yards of Anchorage F or H.

(5) Anchorage I: Anchorage Berths I-1 and I-2. A vessel that is 500 feet or less in length or that has a draft of 30 feet or less may not anchor in Anchorage Berth I-1 or I-2 without the permission of the Captain of the Port.

(6) Anchorage K: Anchorage Berths K-1 and K-2. A vessel that is 500 feet or less in length or that has a draft of 30 feet or less may not anchor in Anchorage Berth K-1 or K-2 without the permission of the Captain of the Port.

(7) Anchorage N. Portions of this anchorage are a special anchorage area under § 110.72aa of this part during marine events regulated under § 100.501 of this chapter.

(8) Anchorage O. (i) A vessel may not anchor in Anchorage O unless it is a recreational vessel.

(ii) No float, raft, lighter, houseboat, or other craft may be laid up for any reason in Anchorage O without the permission of the Captain of the Port.

(9) Anchorage Q: Quarantine Anchorage. (i) A vessel that is arriving from or departing for sea and that requires an examination by public health, customs, or immigration authorities shall anchor in Anchorage Q. Vessels not needing examination may use Anchorage Q at any time.

(ii) Every vessel using Anchorage Q must be prepared to move promptly under its own power to another location when directed by the Captain of the Port, and must promptly vacate Anchorage Q after being examined and released by authorities.

(iii) Any non-self-propelled vessel using Anchorage Q must have a tugboat in attendance while undergoing examination by quarantine, customs, or immigration authorities, except with the permission of the Captain of the Port.

Dated: May 6, 2005.

L.J. Bowling,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.