[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32659-32660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10793]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket No. USCG-2023-0333]


Special Local Regulations; Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane 
Race, Lake Washington, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notification of enforcement of regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the 
Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Race from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 
Friday, August 4, 2023, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 5, 2023, 
and August 6, 2023. This action is necessary to prevent injury and to 
protect life and property of the maritime public from the hazards 
associated with the aerial displays. The regulation prohibits persons 
and vessels from being in the regulated areas unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port Puget Sound or a designated representative.

DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR 100.1301 will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 
August 5, 2023, and August 6, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notification of enforcement, call or email Lieutenant Peter J. 
McAndrew, Sector Puget Sound Waterways Management Division, Coast 
Guard; telephone 206-217-6045, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard will enforce special local 
regulations in 33 CFR 100.1301 for the Seattle Seafair Unlimited 
Hydroplane Race from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, and 
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 5, 2023, and August 6, 2023. This 
action is being taken to provide for the safety of life on navigable 
waterways during this three-day event. Our regulation for marine events 
within the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, Sec.  100.1301(b), 
specifies the location of the regulated area for the Seattle Seafair 
Unlimited Hydroplane Race which encompasses portions of Lake 
Washington. During the enforcement periods, if you are the operator of 
a vessel in the regulated area you must comply with directions from the 
Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard 
ensign.
    The regulated area has been divided into two zones. The zones are 
separated by a line perpendicular from the I-90 Bridge to the northwest 
corner of the East log boom and a line extending from the southeast 
corner of the East log boom to the southeast corner of the hydroplane 
racecourse and then to the northerly tip of Ohlers Island in Andrews 
Bay. The western zone is designated Zone I, and the eastern zone is 
designated Zone II. (Refer to National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) Chart 18447)
    The Coast Guard will maintain a patrol consisting of Coast Guard 
vessels,

[[Page 32660]]

assisted by Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels, in Zone II. The Coast Guard 
patrol of this area is under the direction of the Coast Guard Patrol 
Commander (the ``Patrol Commander''). The Patrol Commander is empowered 
to control the movement of vessels on the race course and in the 
adjoining waters during the periods this regulation is subject to 
enforcement. The Patrol Commander may be assisted by other Federal, 
state, and local law enforcement agencies.
    Only vessels authorized by the Patrol Commander may be allowed to 
enter Zone I during the hours this regulation is subject to 
enforcement. Vessels in the vicinity of Zone I shall maneuver and 
anchor as directed by Coast Guard Officers or Petty Officers.
    During the times in which the regulation is enforced, the following 
rules listed in the regulation will apply:
    (1) Swimming, wading, or otherwise entering the water in Zone I by 
any person is prohibited while hydroplane boats are on the racecourse. 
At other times in Zone I, any person entering the water from the 
shoreline shall remain west of the swim line, denoted by buoys, and any 
person entering the water from the log boom shall remain within 10 feet 
of the log boom.
    (2) Any person swimming or otherwise entering the water in Zone II 
shall remain within 10 feet of a vessel.
    (3) Rafting to a log boom will be limited to groups of three 
vessels.
    (4) Up to six vessels may raft together in Zone II if none of the 
vessels are secured to a log boom.
    (5) Only vessels authorized by the Patrol Commander, other law 
enforcement agencies or event sponsors shall be permitted to tow other 
watercraft or inflatable devices.
    (6) Vessels proceeding in either Zone I or Zone II during the hours 
this regulation is subject to enforcement shall do so only at speeds 
which will create minimum wake, seven miles per hour or less. This 
maximum speed may be reduced at the discretion of the Patrol Commander.
    (7) Upon completion of the daily racing activities, all vessels 
leaving either Zone I or Zone II shall proceed at speeds of seven miles 
per hour or less. The maximum speed may be reduced at the discretion of 
the Patrol Commander.
    (8) A succession of sharp, short signals by whistle or horn from 
vessels patrolling the areas under the direction of the Patrol 
Commander shall serve as signal to stop. Vessels signaled shall stop 
and shall comply with the orders of the patrol vessel; failure to do so 
may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, 
or both.
    The Captain of the Port may be assisted by other Federal, state, 
and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing this regulation.
    If the Captain of the Port determines that the regulated area need 
not be enforced for the full duration stated in this notification, he 
may use a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to grant general permission to 
enter the regulated area. In addition to this notification of 
enforcement in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard plans to provide 
notification of this enforcement period via the Local Notice to 
Mariners and marine information broadcasts.

    Dated: May 16, 2023.
P.M. Hilbert,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 2023-10793 Filed 5-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


