Security and Safety Zone: Protection of Large Passenger Vessels, Puget Sound, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Final rule; notice of enforcement.

SUMMARY:

The Captain of the Port Puget Sound will begin, on February 8, 2004, enforcing the Large Passenger Vessel Security and Safety Zones that were published in the Federal Register on January 14, 2004. The zones provide for the security and safety of large passenger vessels in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. These security and safety zones will be enforced until further notice.

DATES:

33 CFR 165.1317 will be enforced commencing February 8, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LTjg T. Thayer, c/o Captain of the Port Puget Sound, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98134 at (206) 217-6200 or (800) 688-6664 to obtain information concerning enforcement of this rule.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 14, 2004, the Coast Guard published a final rule (69 FR 2066) establishing regulations in 33 CFR 165.1317 for the security and safety of large passenger vessels in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters, Washington. These security and safety zones provide for the regulation of vessel traffic in the vicinity of certain large passenger vessels (as defined by the final rule) and exclude persons and vessels from the immediate vicinity of these large passenger vessels. Entry into these zones is prohibited unless otherwise exempted or excluded under the final rule or unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designee. The Captain of the Port Puget Sound will begin enforcing the Large Passenger Vessel Safety and Security Zones established in 33 CFR 165.1317 on February 8, 2004.

The Captain of the Port may be assisted by other Federal, State, or local agencies in enforcing this security zone.