[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR167.15]

[Page 775-776]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 167--OFFSHORE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEMES--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 167.15  Modification of schemes.

    (a) A traffic separation scheme or precautionary area described in 
this Part may be permanently amended in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1223 
(92 Stat. 1473), and with international agreements.
    (b) A traffic separation scheme or precautionary area in this Part 
may be temporarily adjusted by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in an 
emergency, or to accommodate operations which would create an undue 
hazard for vessels using the scheme or

[[Page 776]]

which would contravene Rule 10 of the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. Adjustment may be in the form of a 
temporary traffic lane shift, a temporary suspension of a section of the 
scheme, a temporary precautionary area overlaying a lane, or other 
appropriate measure. Adjustments will only be made where, in the 
judgment of the Coast Guard, there is no reasonable alternative means of 
conducting an operation and navigation safety will not be jeopardized by 
the adjustment. Notice of adjustments will be made in the appropriate 
Notice to Mariners and in the Federal Register. Requests by members of 
the public for temporary adjustments to traffic separation schemes must 
be submitted 150 days prior to the time the adjustment is desired. Such 
Requests, describing the interference that would otherwise occur to a 
TSS, should be submitted to the District Commander of the Coast Guard 
District in which the TSS is located.