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Notice2023-073672023-04-07

Port Access Route Study: Approaches to the Ports of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard

Abstract

The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study to evaluate safe access routes for the movement of vessel traffic proceeding to or from the ports or places in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and to determine whether shipping safety fairways and/or routing measures should be established, adjusted, or modified. The Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Port Access Route Study considers whether such measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and planned improvements, increased vessel traffic, existing and potential anchorage areas, changing vessel traffic patterns, effects of weather, or navigational difficulty. Vessel routing measures, which include traffic separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas, and areas to be avoided, are implemented to reduce the risk of marine casualties. To assist us in conducting the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Port Access Route Study, we invite your responses to the questions in the INFORMATION REQUESTED section. The recommendations of the study may subsequently be implemented through rulemakings or in accordance with international agreements.

Action & Dates

Action
Notice of study; request for comments.
Dates
Comments and related material must be received on or before July 6, 2023. Requests for a public meeting must be submitted on or before May 8, 2023.

Public Comment

Comments Close
2023-07-06

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG-2023-0124] AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of study; request for comments. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study to evaluate safe access routes for the movement of vessel traffic proceeding to or from the ports or places in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and to determine whether shipping safety fairways and/or routing measures should be established, adjusted, or modified. The Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Port Access Route Study considers whether such measures are necessary to improve navigation safety due to factors such as planned or potential offshore development, current port capabilities and planned improvements, increased vessel traffic, existing and potential anchorage areas, changing vessel traffic patterns, effects of weather, or navigational difficulty. Vessel routing measures, which include traffic ( printed page 20898) separation schemes, two-way routes, recommended tracks, deep-water routes, precautionary areas, and areas to be avoided, are implemented to reduce the risk of marine casualties. To assist us in conducting the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Port Access Route Study, we invite your responses to the questions in the INFORMATION REQUESTED section. The recommendations of the study may subsequently be implemented through rulemakings or in accordance with international agreements. DATES: Comments and related material must …

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Full Document

Citation: 88 FR 20897