Safety Zones; Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone located in federal regulations for a recurring marine event. This action is necessary and intended for the safety of life and property on navigable waters during this event. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the respective safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo or a designated representative.

DATES:

The regulations listed in 33 CFR 165.939 as listed in Table 165.939(c)(1) will be enforced from 7:15 a.m. through 1:15 p.m. on July 17, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this notice of enforcement, call or email MST2 Natalie Smith, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland; telephone (216) 937-6004, email D09-SMB-MSUCLEVELAND-WWM@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce the Safety Zones; Annual Events in the Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone listed in 33 CFR 165.939, Table 165.939(c)(1) for the Whiskey Island Paddlefest in Cleveland, OH, on all U.S. waters of Lake Erie, Cleveland Harbor, from 41°29′59.5″ N and 081°42′59.3″ W, to 41°30′4.4″ N and 081°42′44.5″ W, to 41°30′17.3″ N and 081°43′0.6″ W, to 41°30′9.4″ N and 081°43′2.0″ W, to 41°29′54.9″ N and 081°43′34.4″ W, to 41°30′0.1″ N and 081°43′3.1″ W, and back to 41°29′59.5″ N and 081°42′59.3″ W (NAD 83) from 7:15 a.m. through 1:15 p.m. on July 17, 2021. The scheduled date of zone enforcement differs from that published in 33 CFR 165.939 to accommodate the sponsoring organization's priority to better align their event with other occurring local events, other paddle races taking place in the Great Lakes region, and to ensure the availability of personnel and resources to support the event.

Pursuant to 33 CFR 165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone during an enforcement period is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or a designated representative. Those seeking permission to enter the safety zone may request permission from the Captain of the Port Buffalo via channel 16, VHF-FM. Vessels and persons granted permission to enter the safety zone shall obey the directions of the Captain of the Port Buffalo or a designated representative. While within a safety zone, all vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course.

This notice of enforcement is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.939 and 5 U.S.C. 552 (a). In addition to this notice of enforcement in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard will provide the maritime community with advance notification of this enforcement period via Broadcast Notice to Mariners or Local Notice to Mariners. If the Captain of the Port Buffalo determines that the safety zone need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice he or she may use a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to grant general permission to enter the respective safety zone.