Security Zone; Protection of Military Cargo, Captain of the Port Zone Puget Sound

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of enforcement of regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard will enforce regulations for the Sitcum Waterway security zone in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington, from 6 a.m. on September 15, 2016, through 11:59 p.m. on September 20, 2016, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. This action is necessary for the security of Department of Defense assets and military cargo in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. Entry into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative, or is otherwise provided by exemption or waiver provisions in these security zone regulations.

DATES:

The regulations in 33 CFR 165.1321 will be enforced from 6 a.m. on September 15, 2016, through 11:59 p.m. on September 20, 2016, for the security zone indentified in paragraph (c)(2) of that section, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice of enforcement, call or email Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Zappen, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 206-217-6076, email SectorPugetSoundWWM@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard will enforce regulations in 33 CFR 165.1321 for the Sitcum Waterway Security Zone identified in paragraph (c)(2) of that section, from September 15, 2016, at 6 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on September 20, 2016, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port or Designated Representative. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 165.1321, the security zone will provide for the regulation of vessel traffic in the vicinity of military cargo loading facilities in the navigable waters of the United States. The security zones also exclude persons and vessels from the immediate vicinity of these facilities during military cargo loading and unloading operations. In addition, the regulation establishes requirements for all vessels to obtain permission of the COTP or Designated Representative, including the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), to enter, move within, or exit these security zones when they are enforced. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a Designated Representative, or is otherwise allowed under exemption or waiver provisions in 33 CFR 165.1321(h) or (i).

This notice of enforcement is issued under authority of 33 CFR 165.1321 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 notification of this enforcement period via marine information broadcasts and on-scene assets. If the COTP determines that the regulated area need not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notice of enforcement, a Broadcast Notice to Mariners may be used to grant general permission to enter the regulated area.