
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71612-71613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25183]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0610]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Wrightsville Beach, NC and Northeast Cape Fear River, 
Wilmington, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedules that govern the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) Bridge 
across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), mile 283.1, at 
Wrightsville Beach, NC and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across the 
Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC. The deviation 
is necessary to facilitate the 2016 PPD IRONMAN North Carolina 
``Beach2Battleship'' Triathlon. This deviation allows these bridges to 
remain in their closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 
22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0610] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6557, email Michael.R.Thorogood@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PPD Ironman North Carolina, on behalf of the 
North Carolina Department of Transportation, who owns the S.R. 74 
(Wrightsville Beach) Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC and the Isabel S. Holmes 
Bridge across the Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, 
NC, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a)(4) and 33 CFR 117.829(a), 
respectively, to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators 
associated with the 2016 PPD IRONMAN North Carolina 
``Beach2Battleship'' Triathlon.
    Under this temporary deviation, the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) 
Bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 
6:30 a.m. to 11

[[Page 71613]]

a.m. on October 22, 2016, and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 9:30 a.m. to 6 
p.m. on October 22, 2016. These bridges are both double bascule 
drawbridges and have vertical clearances in the closed-to-navigation 
position of 20 feet and 40 feet, respectively, above mean high water.
    The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is used by a variety of vessels 
including, small commercial fishing vessels and recreational vessels. 
The Northeast Cape Fear River is used by a variety of vessels 
including, small commercial fishing vessels, recreational vessels, and 
tug and barge traffic. The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the 
restrictions with waterway users in publishing this temporary 
deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through these bridges in their closed 
positions may do so at any time. These bridges will be able to open for 
emergencies and there are no immediate alternative routes for vessels 
to pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway 
through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in 
operating schedules for these bridges so that vessel operators can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), these drawbridges must return 
to their regular operating schedules immediately at the end of the 
effective periods of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the 
operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 13, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-25183 Filed 10-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


