Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, Gloucester, MA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Blynman (SR127) Bridge across the Annisquam River and Blynman Canal at mile 0.0 at Gloucester, MA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate public safety during a public event, the annual Saint Peter's Fiesta 5K Road Race. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for thirty minutes to facilitate public safety.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on June 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0275] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 617-223-8619, email James.L.Rousseau2@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Blynman (SR 127) Bridge across the Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, mile 0.0, at Gloucester, Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8.2 feet at mean high water and 16 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.586.

The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to facilitate a public event, the Annual Saint Peter's Fiesta 5K Road Race.

Under this temporary deviation, the Blynman (SR 127) Bridge may remain in the closed position for thirty minutes between 6:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Thursday June 23, 2016.

The waterways are transited by commercial and seasonal recreational vessels of various sizes. There is an alternate route for vessel traffic around Cape Ann. Also, vessels that can pass under the closed draws during this closure may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notice 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.