33 C.F.R. § 165.756 Regulated Navigation Area; Savannah River, Georgia.
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters
(a) Regulated Navigation Area (RNA). The Savannah River between Fort Jackson (32°04.93' N, 081°02.19' W) and the Savannah River Channel Entrance Sea Buoy is a regulated navigation area. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983. (b) Definitions. The following definitions are used in this section: Bollard pull is an industry standard used for rating tug capabilities and is the pulling force imparted by the tug to the towline. It means the power that an escort tug can apply to its working line(s) when operating in a direct mode. Direct Mode is a towing technique which is defined as a method of operation by which a towing vessel generates towline forces by thrust alone at an angle equal to or nearly equal to the towline, or thrust forces applied directly to the escorted vessel's hull. Indirect Mode is a towing technique that, for the purpose of this section, is defined as a method of operation by which an escorting towing vessel generates towline forces by a combination of thrust and hydrodynamic forces resulting from a presentation of the underwater body of the towing vessel at an oblique angle to the towline. This method increases the resultant bollard pull, thereby arresting and controlling the motion of an escorted vessel. LNG tankship means a vessel as described in 46 CFR 154. Made-up means physically attached by cable, towline, or other secure means in such a way as to be immediately ready to exert force on a vessel being escorted. Make-up means the act of, or preparations for becoming made-up. Operator means the person who owns, operates, or is responsible for the operation of a facility or vessel. Savannah River Channel Entrance Sea Buoy means the aid to navigation labeled R W “T” Mo (A) WHIS on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Nautical Chart 11512. Standby means immediately available, ready, and equipped to conduct operations. Underway means that a vessel is not at anchor, not made fast to the shore, or not aground. (c) Applicability. This section applies to all vessels operating within the RNA, including naval and other public vessels, except vessels that are engaged in the following operations: (1) Law enforcement or search and rescue operations; (2) Servicing aids to navigation; (3) Surveying, maintenance, or improvement of waters in the RNA; or (4) Actively engaged in escort, maneuvering or support duties for the LNG tankship. (d) Regulations—(1) Requirements for vessel operations while a LNG tankship is underway within the RNA—(i) Except for a vessel that is moored at a marina, wharf, or pier, and remains moored, no vessel 1600 gross tons or greater may approach within two nautical miles of a LNG tankship that is underway within the RNA without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP). (ii) All vessels under 1600 gross tons shall keep clear of transiting LNG tankships. (iii) The owner, master, or operator of a vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) shall: (A) Comply with the notice requirements of 33 CFR 160. Updates are encouraged at least 12 hours before arrival at the RNA boundaries. The COTP may delay the vessel's entry into the RNA to accommodate other commercial traffic. LNG tankships are further encouraged to include in their notice a report of the vessel's propulsion and machinery status and any outstanding recommendations or deficiencies identified by the vessel's classification society and, for foreign flag vessels, any outstanding deficiencies identified by the vessel's flag state. (B) Obtain permission from the COTP before commencing the transit into the RNA. (C) While transiting, make security broadcasts every 15 minutes as recommended by the U.S. Coast Pilot 4 Atlantic Coast. The person directing the vessel must also notify the COTP telephonically or by radio on channel 13 or 16 when the vessel is at the following locations: Sea Buoy, Savannah Jetties, and Fields Cut. (D) Not enter or get underway within the RNA if visibility during the transit is not sufficient to safely navigate the channel, and/or wind speed is, or is expected to be, greater than 25 knots. (E) While transiting the RNA, the LNG tankship shall have sufficient towing vessel escorts. (2) Requirements for LNG facilities—(i) The operator of a facility where a LNG tankship is moored shall station and provide a minimum of two escort towing vessels each with a minimum of 100,000 pounds of bollard pull, 4,000 horsepower and capable of safely operating in the indirect mode, to escort transiting vessels 1600 gross tons or greater past the moored LNG tankship. (ii) In addition to the two towing vessels required by paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, the operator of the facility where the LNG tankship is moored shall provide at least one standby towing vessel of sufficient capacity to take appropriate actions in an emergency as directed by the LNG vessel bridge watch. (3) Requirements for vessel operations while a LNG tankship is moored—(i) While moored within the RNA, LNG tankships shall maintain a bridge watch of appropriate personnel to monitor vessels passing under escort and to coordinate the actions of the standby-towing vessel required in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section in the event of emergency. (ii) Transiting vessels 1600 gross tons or greater, when passing a moored LNG tankship, shall have a minimum of two towing vessels, each with a minimum capacity of 100,000 pounds of bollard pull, 4,000 horsepower, and the ability to operate safely in the indirect mode, made-up in such a way as to be immediately available to arrest and control the motion of an escorted vessel in the event of steering, propulsion or other casualty. While it is anticipated that vessels will utilize the facility provided towing vessel services required in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, this regulation does not preclude escorted vessel operators from providing their own towing vessel escorts, provided they meet the requirements of this part. (A) Outbound vessels shall be made-up and escorted from Bight Channel Light 46 until the vessel is safely past the LNG dock. (B) Inbound vessels shall be made-up and escorted from Elba Island Light 37 until the vessel is safely past the LNG dock. (iii) All vessels of less than 1600 gross tons shall not approach within 70 yards of an LNG tankship. (e) LNG Schedule. The Captain of the Port will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to inform the marine community of scheduled LNG tankship activities during which the restrictions imposed by this section are in effect. (f) Waivers. (1) The COTP may waive any requirement in this section, if the COTP finds that it is in the best interest of safety or in the interest of national security. (2) An application for a waiver of these requirements must state the compelling need for the waiver and describe the proposed operation and methods by which adequate levels of safety are to be obtained. (g) Enforcement. Violations of this section should be reported to the Captain of the Port, Savannah, at (912) 652–4353. In accordance with the general regulations in §165.13 of this part, no person may cause or authorize the operation of a vessel in the regulated navigation area contrary to the provisions of this section. [CGD07–01–037, 67 FR 46867, July 17, 2002, as amended by CGD07–03–147, 69 FR 21068, Apr. 20, 2004]
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
Subpart F—Specific Regulated Navigation Areas and Limited Access Areas
Seventh Coast Guard District
§ 165.756 Regulated Navigation Area; Savannah River, Georgia.
