Designation of Lightering Zones

The Coast Guard proposes to designate three lightering zones in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 60 miles from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured. By using these lightering zones, all single hull tank vessels would be permitted to off-load oil within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) until January 1, 2015. This proposal is in response to industry requests, and would establish the first lightering zones designated by the Coast Guard. It would also establish three areas in which all lightering would be prohibited.