§ 165.T01-0682 Safety Zone—North Hero-Grand Isle Bridge, Lake Champlain, VT.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable waters on Lake Champlain, within a 50-yard radius of the center of the North Hero-Grand Isle Bridge that spans Lake Champlain between North Hero Island and Grand Isle in position 44°45′57″ N, 073°17′20″ W (NAD 83).

(b) Definitions. As used in this section:

(1) Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, petty officer, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Northern New England, to act on his or her behalf. The designated representative may be on an official patrol vessel or may be on shore and will communicate with vessels via VHF–FM radio or loudhailer. In addition, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel operators of this regulation.

(2) Official patrol vessels means any Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, or local law enforcement vessels assigned or approved by the COTP Northern New England to enforce this section.

(c) Effective and enforcement period. This section is effective from September 2, 2022, through September 1, 2024, and subject to enforcement 24 hours a day. When enforced, as deemed necessary by the COTP, vessels and persons will be prohibited from entering the safety zone unless granted permission from the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

(d) Regulations. When this safety zone is enforced, the following regulations, along with those contained in § 165.23 apply:

(1) No person or vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Northern New England or the COTP's designated representative. However, any vessel that is granted permission to enter or remain in this zone by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative must proceed through the zone with caution and operate at a speed no faster than that speed necessary to maintain a safe course, unless otherwise required by the Navigation Rules.

(2) Any person or vessel permitted to enter the safety zone shall comply with the directions and orders of the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing lights, or other means, the operator of a vessel within the zone shall proceed as directed. Any person or vessel within the safety zone shall exit the zone when directed by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

(3) To obtain permission required by this regulation, individuals may reach the COTP or the COTP's designated representative via Channel 16 (VHF–FM) or (207)741–5465 (Sector Northern New England Command Center).

(e) Penalties. Those who violate this section are subject to the penalties set forth in 46 U.S.C. 70036.

(f) Notification. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England will give notice through the Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners for the purpose of enforcement of temporary safety zone.

[USCG–2018–0682, 83 FR 50505, Oct. 9, 2018, as amended at 87 FR 53379, Aug. 31, 2022]