[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04642]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0167]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Grassy Sound Channel, Middle 
Township NJ and Townsend Inlet, Avalon, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued temporary deviations from the 
operating schedules that govern the Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive) 
Bridge across Grassy Sound Channel, mile 1.0, in Middle Township, NJ 
and the Townsend Inlet Bridge across Townsend Inlet, mile 0.6, at 
Avalon, NJ. These deviations are necessary to accommodate the annual 
Ocean Drive Marathon event. These deviations allows these bridges to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: These deviations is effective from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on 
April 22, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for these deviations, [USCG-2018-0167], 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 these 
temporary deviations, call or email Ms. Kashanda Booker, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6227, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cape May County Department of Public 
Works, owner of these drawbridges, has requested temporary deviations 
from the current operating schedules to accommodate the Ocean Drive 
Marathon event. The Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive) Bridge across 
Grassy Sound Channel, mile 1.0, in Middle Township, NJ, is a bascule 
drawbridge with a vertical clearance in the closed position of 15 feet 
above mean high water. The Townsend Inlet Bridge across Townsend Inlet, 
mile 0.6, in Avalon, NJ, is a bascule drawbridge with a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 23 feet above mean high water.
    The Grassy Sound Channel (Ocean Drive) Bridge operating regulations 
are set out in 33 CFR 117.721 and the Townsend Inlet Bridge operating 
regulations are set out in 33 CFR 117.757. Under these temporary 
deviations, these drawbridges will be allowed to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 
2018, to accommodate the Ocean City Marathon event. Grassy Sound 
Channel and Townsend Inlet are used by a variety of vessels including 
recreational vessels, and small commercial vessels. The Coast Guard has 
carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the 
waterway in publishing these temporary deviations.
    Vessels able to pass through these bridges in the closed position 
may do so at any time. These bridges will be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels 
unable to pass through these bridges in the closed position. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for 
these bridges so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize 
any impacts caused by this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), these drawbridges must return 
to the regular operating schedules immediately at the end of the 
effective period of these temporary deviations. These deviations from 
the operating regulations are authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 1, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-04642 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


