CFR

165.120—Safety Zone: Chelsea River, Boston Inner Harbor, Boston, MA.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: The waters of the Chelsea River, Boston Inner Harbor, for 100 yards upstream and downstream of the center of the Chelsea Street Draw span (in the approximate position of latitude 42°23′10.3″ N., longitude 71°01′21.2″ W.). [NAD83].

(b) Regulation. The following standards are the minimum requirements for transit of the Safety Zone. Additional precautions may be taken by the pilot and/or person in charge (Master or Operator).

(1) All tankships greater than 1,000 Gross Tons shall be under the direction and control of an individual holding a valid merchant mariner's license or merchant mariner credential endorsed as pilot. This does not relieve persons in charge (Masters or Operators) from their ultimate responsibility for the safe navigation of vessels.

(2) All vessel(s) speed shall be kept to a minimum considering all factors and the need for optimum vessel control.

(3) Restrictions on size and draft of vessels:

(i) No vessel greater than 661 feet in length (using length overall) or greater than 90.5 feet in beam (using extreme breadth) shall transit the Safety Zone.

(ii) No vessel greater than 630.5 feet in length or 85.5 feet or greater in beam shall transit the Safety Zone during the period between sunset and sunrise.

(iii) No tankship greater than 550.5 feet in length shall transit the Safety Zone, either inbound or outbound, with a draft less than 18.0 feet forward and 24.0 feet aft.

(4) Restrictions when the Chelsea River channel is obstructed by vessel(s) moored at the Northeast Petroleum Terminal located downstream of the Chelsea Street Bridge on the Chelsea, MA side of the Chelsea River—hereafter referred to as the Jenny Dock (approximate position latitude 42°23′05.2″ N., longitude 71°01′35.8″ W.)—or the Mobile Oil Terminal located on the East Boston Side of the Chelsea River downstream of the Chelsea Street Bridge (approximate position latitude 42°23′04.9″ N., longitude 71°01′28.52″ W.): [NAD83].

(i) When there is a vessel moored at each terminal, no vessel greater than 300.5 feet in length or greater than 60.5 feet in beam, shall transit the safety zone.

(ii) When a vessel with a beam greater than 60.5 feet is moored at either terminal, no vessel greater than 630.5 feet in length or greater than 85.5 feet in beam shall transit the Safety Zone.

(iii) When a vessel with a beam greater than 85.5 feet is moored at either terminal, no vessel greater than 550.5 feet in length or greater than 85.5 feet in beam shall transit the Safety Zone.

(5) Requirements for tug assistance:

(i) All tankships greater than 630.5 feet in length or greater than 85.5 feet in beam shall be assisted by at least four tugs of adequate horsepower.

(ii) All tankships from 450 feet in length up to and including 630.5 feet in length and less than 85.5 feet in beam shall be assisted by at least three tugs of adequate horsepower.

(iii) All tug/barge combinations with a tonnage of over 10,000 Gross Tons (for the barge(s), in all conditions of draft, shall be assisted by at least one tug of adequate horsepower.

(6) U.S. Certificated integrated tug/barge (ITB) combinations shall meet the requirements of a tankship of similar length and beam except that one less assist tug would be required.

(7) Variances from the above standard must be approved in advance by the Captain of the Port of Boston, MA.

Code of Federal Regulations

[CCGD1-85-4R, 51 FR 10835, Mar. 31, 1986; 51 FR 23415, June 27, 1986, as amended by USCG-1998-3799, 63 FR 35532, June 30, 1998; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11213, Mar. 16, 2009; USCG-2009-0416, 74 FR 27441, June 10, 2009]

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