2013-03917. Security Zone; Protection of Military Cargo, Captain of the Port Zone Puget Sound, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce the Sitcum Waterway Security Zone in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington from 6 a.m. on February 23, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2013, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. This action is necessary for the security of Department of Defense assets and military cargo in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless otherwise exempted or excluded under 33 CFR 165.1321 or unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1321 will be enforced from 6 a.m. on February 23, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2013, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call or email Ensign Nathaniel P. Clinger, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email SectorPugetSound [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will activate and enforce the Sitcum Waterway Security Zone set forth in 33 CFR 165.1321(c)(2) on February 23, 2013, from 6 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2013, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port or Designated Representative. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1321, the Coast Guard published a final rule for the security of Department of Defense assets and military cargo in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. (See 69 FR 52600, Aug. 27, 2004). When activated, this regulation provides for the regulation of vessel traffic in the vicinity of military cargo loading facilities in the navigable waters of the United States. The security zones also exclude persons and vessels from the immediate vicinity of these facilities during military cargo loading and unloading operations. In addition, the regulation establishes requirements for all vessels to obtain permission of the COTP or Designated Representative, including the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), to enter, move within, or exit these security zones when they are enforced. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless otherwise exempted or excluded under 33 CFR 165.1321 or unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or Designated Representative.

This notice is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.1321 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 notification of this enforcement period via marine information broadcasts and on-scene assets.

If the COTP 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: February 9, 2013.

S.J. Ferguson,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Puget Sound.