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Proposed RuleSignificant2024-007572024-01-19

Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast

Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard

Abstract

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish shipping safety fairways ("fairways") along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, identified in the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study. Fairways would preserve the safe and reliable transit of vessels along well- established traffic patterns and routes. While vessels are not required to use them, fairways are designed to keep traditional navigation routes free from fixed structures that could impact navigation safety and impede other shared offshore activities. The Coast Guard recognizes that there is increasing interest in offshore commercial development, including offshore renewable energy installations, and believes this development is best served by the establishment of consistent and well- defined fairways. The proposed fairways would help ensure that offshore developments remain viable by allowing developers to construct and maintain installations without risk of impeding vessel traffic. The Coast Guard is also proposing to establish traffic separation schemes and precautionary areas along the Atlantic coast to further improve navigation safety.

Action & Dates

Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Dates
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before April 18, 2024.

CFR References

Topics

Anchorage groundsHarborsMarine safetyNavigation (water)Waterways

Public Comment

Comments Close
2024-04-18

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 33 CFR Parts 166 and 167 [Docket No. USCG-2019-0279] RIN 1625-AC57 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish shipping safety fairways (“fairways”) along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, identified in the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study. Fairways would preserve the safe and reliable transit of vessels along well-established traffic patterns and routes. While vessels are not required to use them, fairways are designed to keep traditional navigation routes free from fixed structures that could impact navigation safety and impede other shared offshore activities. The Coast Guard recognizes that there is increasing interest in offshore commercial development, including offshore renewable energy installations, and believes this development is best served by the establishment of consistent and well-defined fairways. The proposed fairways would help ensure that offshore developments remain viable by allowing developers to construct and maintain installations without risk of impeding vessel traffic. The Coast Guard is also proposing to establish traffic separation schemes and precautionary areas along the Atlantic coast to further improve navigation safety. DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before April 18, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2019-0279 using th

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 89 FR 3587