Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA

Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)

Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)

Rules and Regulations

Page 67938

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2013-27068

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

Docket No. USCG-2013-0919

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the S168 Bridge (Battlefield Boulevard) across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), VA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the annual Christmas parade. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for the set up of the event and the duration of the Christmas parade.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 4 p.m. on December 7, 2013 to 10 p.m. on December 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2013-0919 is available at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Mrs. Jessica Shea, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-6422, email jessica.c.shea2@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Chesapeake, who owns and operates the S168 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0 at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), VA has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.997(g), to accommodate their annual Christmas parade. Normally, the bridge opens on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw need be opened only on the hour or, if the vessel cannot reach the draw exactly on the hour, the draw tender may delay the hourly opening up to ten minutes past the hour.

In the closed-to-navigation position, this lift-type drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 8.5 feet above mean high water.

The Chesapeake annual Christmas parade event is scheduled for December 7, 2013. Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will remain in the closed position to vessels requiring an opening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on December 7; with an inclement weather date of December 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Vessels that may safely transit under the drawbridge while it is in the closed position may do so at any time. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway caters to a variety of vessels from tug and barge traffic to recreational vessels traveling from Florida to Maine. The Atlantic Ocean is the alternate route for vessels and the bridge will be able to open in the event of an emergency. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: October 30, 2013.

Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.

FR Doc. 2013-27068 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am

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