2011-33234. Safety Zone; San Francisco New Year's Eve Fireworks Display, San Francisco, CA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zone for the annual San Francisco New Year's Eve Fireworks Display in the Captain of the Port, San Francisco area of responsibility during the dates and times noted below. This action is necessary to protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1191 will be enforced from 11 a.m. on December 31, 2011 to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call or email Ensign William Hawn, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco; telephone [phone] or email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce a 100 foot safety zone in the navigable waters around the fireworks barge off of Pier 50 in position 37°46′28″ N., 122°23′06″ W. (NAD 83) from 11 a.m. on December 31, 2011 until 11:55 p.m. on December 31, 2011 during the loading, transit, and arrival of the fireworks barge to the display location off of Pier 2 in position 37°47′42.6″ N. 122°23′19.1″ W. (NAD83). Upon the commencement of the fireworks display, scheduled to take place from 11:55 p.m. on December 31, 2011 to 12:15 a.m. on January 1, 2012, the safety zone will increase in size and encompass the navigable waters 1,000 feet around the display location near Pier 2 in position 37°47′42.6″ N. 122°23′19.1″ W. (NAD83) for the annual San Francisco New Year's Eve Fireworks Display in 33 CFR 165.1191.

Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1191, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the safety zone during all applicable effective dates and times, unless authorized to do so by the PATCOM. Additionally, each person who receives notice of a lawful order or direction issued by an official patrol vessel shall obey the order or direction.

The PATCOM is empowered to forbid entry into and control the regulated area. The PATCOM shall be designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. The PATCOM may, upon request, allow the transit of commercial vessels through regulated areas when it is safe to do so.

This notice is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.1191 and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this notice in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with extensive advance notification of the safety zone and its enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners.

If the Captain of the Port determines that the regulated area need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter the regulated area.

Dated: December 8, 2011.

Cynthia L. Stowe,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Francisco.