Safety Zone; Oakland Ship-to-Shore Crane Arrival, San Francisco Bay, Oakland, CA

Published date29 December 2020
Citation85 FR 85520
Record Number2020-28874
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtCoast Guard
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2020)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 85520-85523]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-28874]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                Coast Guard
                33 CFR Part 165
                [Docket No. USCG-2020-0719]
                RIN 1625-AA00
                Safety Zone; Oakland Ship-to-Shore Crane Arrival, San Francisco
                Bay, Oakland, CA
                AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
                [[Page 85521]]
                ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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                SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the
                navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay during the transit of the M/V
                ZHEN HUA 35, scheduled to arrive between December 24, 2020 and January
                10, 2021. This safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels,
                and the marine environment from hazards associated with the arms of
                three ship-to-shore gantry cranes, which will extend more than 200 feet
                out from the transiting vessel when the arms are lowered, and from the
                vessel's stability condition due to an air draft greater than 300 feet
                when the cranes are in the up position. Unauthorized persons or vessels
                are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in
                the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port San
                Francisco or a designated representative.
                DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from December 29,
                2020 through 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2021. For the purposes of
                enforcement, actual notice will be used from 12:01 a.m. December 24,
                2020 through December 29, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
                available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
                2020-0719 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open
                Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
                call or email LT Anthony Solares, Waterways Management, U.S. Coast
                Guard; telephone (415) 399-7443, email [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Table of Abbreviations
                CFR Code of Federal Regulations
                COTP Captain of the Port San Francisco
                DHS Department of Homeland Security
                Sec. Section
                U.S.C. United States Code
                II. Background Information and Regulatory History
                 The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice
                and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of
                the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This
                provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and
                opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those
                procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
                interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good
                cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking with
                respect to this rule because it is impracticable. The Coast Guard did
                not receive details for the vessel's arrival and transit until December
                20, 2020. The Coast Guard must establish this safety zone by December
                24, 2020 and lacks sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment
                period and consider those comments before issuing the rule.
                 Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
                exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
                publication in the Federal Register. It is contrary to the public
                interest to delay the effective date of this rule because the safety
                zone must be effective by December 24, 2020 to protect vessels and
                persons from the dangers associated with the M/V ZHEN HUA 35 as it
                transits a busy waterway between December 24, 2020 and January 10,
                2021.
                III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
                 The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority 46 U.S.C.
                70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port San
                Francisco has determined that potential hazards associated with the
                transit of the M/V ZHEN HUA 35 between December 24, 2020 and January
                10, 2021, will be a safety concern for anyone within a 500-foot radius
                of the vessel during its transit to Oakland, Berth 58, while the vessel
                is within the San Francisco Bay and areas shoreward of the line drawn
                between San Francisco Main Ship Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 7 and San
                Francisco Main Ship Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy 8 (LLNR 4190 & 4195)
                in positions 37[deg]46.9' N, 122[deg]35.4' W and 37[deg]46.5' N,
                122[deg]35.2' W, respectively. For this reason, a safety zone is needed
                to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the
                navigable waters around the M/V ZHEN HUA 35 during its transit to Berth
                58 at the Oakland International Container Terminal in Oakland, CA.
                IV. Discussion of the Rule
                 This rule establishes a safety zone from 12:01 a.m. on December 24,
                2020 until 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2021, during the inbound transit
                of the M/V ZHEN HUA 35. While the M/V ZHEN HUA 35 is within the San
                Francisco Bay and areas shoreward of the line drawn between San
                Francisco Main Ship Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 7 and San Francisco Main
                Ship Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy 8 (LLNR 4190 & 4195) in positions
                37[deg]46.9' N, 122[deg]35.4' W and 37[deg]46.5' N, 122[deg]35.2' W,
                respectively, the safety zone will encompass the navigable waters
                around and under the vessel, from surface to bottom, within a circle
                formed by connecting all points 500 feet out from the vessel. The
                safety zone is needed to protect personnel, mariners, and vessels from
                hazards associated with ship-to-shore gantry crane arms which will
                extend more than 200 feet out from the transiting vessel. This loading
                configuration is necessary in order for the vessel to pass safely under
                the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
                 The M/V ZHEN HUA 35 will make a temporary stop in Anchorage 9
                during its transit to the Oakland International Container Terminal. The
                vessel will stop temporarily for the crew to make adjustments to the
                cargo so the vessel can safely moor at Berth 58 in Oakland, CA. The
                cargo adjustments will include raising three ship-to-shore crane arms
                to an upright position which will facilitate mooring.
                 The effect of the safety zone is to restrict navigation in the
                vicinity of the M/V ZHEN HUA 35. Except for persons or vessels
                authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative, no
                person or vessel may enter or remain in the restricted area.
                ``Designated representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander,
                including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer
                operating a Coast Guard vessel or a Federal, State, or local officer
                designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP)
                in the enforcement of the safety zone.
                V. Regulatory Analyses
                 We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
                Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
                based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we
                discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.
                A. Regulatory Planning and Review
                 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
                costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
                regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
                net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control
                regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been
                designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order
                12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of
                Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt
                from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
                 This regulatory action determination is based on the limited
                duration and
                [[Page 85522]]
                narrowly tailored geographic area of the safety zone. This safety zone
                impacts a 500-foot-radius area of the San Francisco Bay in San
                Francisco, CA for a limited duration. While the safety zone encompasses
                a two week period to account for uncertain transit delays of the M/V
                ZHEN HUA 35, the safety zone will only be enforced for the duration of
                the vessel's inbound transit, which is expected to last less than 24
                hours, and that period will be announced via Broadcast Notice to
                Mariners. Vessels desiring to transit through the safety zone may do so
                upon express permission from the COTP or the COTP's designated
                representative.
                B. Impact on Small Entities
                 The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
                amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
                regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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.
                 While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the
                temporary safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in
                section V.A. above, this rule will not have a significant economic
                impact on any vessel owner or operator.
                 Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
                Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small
                entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your
                small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
                questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please
                contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
                section.
                 Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
                employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
                regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
                Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
                Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
                rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
                comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
                (1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
                entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or
                action of the Coast Guard.
                C. Collection of Information
                 This rule will not call for a new collection of information under
                the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
                D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
                 A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
                Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
                relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
                distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
                government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have
                determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
                principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
                13132.
                 Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
                Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
                Governments, because it does 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. If
                you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes,
                please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
                section above.
                E. 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 (adjusted for
                inflation) 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.
                F. Environment
                 We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
                Directive 023-01 and U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Policy,
                COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying
                with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
                4370f), and have determined that this action is one of a category of
                actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant
                effect on the human environment. This rule involves a safety zone which
                prevents entry to a 500-foot radius area of the San Francisco Bay for a
                limited period of time during a vessel's inbound transit. It is
                categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) in
                Table 3-1 of Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01. A Record
                of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is
                available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
                G. Protest Activities
                 The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
                Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
                INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that
                your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
                security of people, places or vessels.
                List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
                 Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
                recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
                 For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
                33 CFR part 165 as follows:
                PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
                0
                1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 46 U.S.C 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-
                6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
                0
                2. Add Sec. 165.T11-035 to read as follows:
                Sec. 165.T11-045 Safety Zone; Oakland Ship-to-Shore Crane Arrival,
                San Francisco Bay, Oakland, CA.
                 (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
                waters of the San Francisco Bay, from surface to bottom, within a
                circle formed by connecting all points 500 feet out from the vessel, M/
                V ZHEN HUA 35, during the vessel's inbound transit from a line drawn
                between San Francisco Main Ship Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 7 and San
                Francisco Main Ship Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy 8 (LLNR 4190 & 4195)
                in positions 37[deg]46.9' N, 122[deg]35.4' W (NAD 83) and 37[deg]46.5'
                N, 122[deg]35.2' W (NAD 83), respectively, to Berth 58 at the Oakland
                International Container Terminal in Oakland, CA. This transit includes
                a stop at Anchorage 9 to reposition the vessel's cargo.
                 (b) Definitions. As used in this section, ``designated
                representative''
                [[Page 85523]]
                means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
                petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel or a
                Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting the Captain
                of the Port San Francisco (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.
                 (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
                subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
                paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
                COTP's designated representative.
                 (2) The safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may
                be permitted by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
                 (3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety
                zone must contact the COTP or the COTP's designated representative to
                obtain permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter
                or operate in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or
                directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
                representative. Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the
                safety zone on VHF-23A or through the 24-hour Command Center at
                telephone (415) 399-3547.
                 (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced between 12:01
                a.m. on December 24, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2021 during
                the inbound transit of the M/V ZHEN HUA 35, or as announced via
                Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
                 (e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or the COTP's designated
                representative will notify the maritime community of periods during
                which this zone will be enforced, in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7.
                 Dated: December 22, 2020.
                Marie B. Byrd,
                Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Francisco.
                [FR Doc. 2020-28874 Filed 12-28-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
                

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