The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed establishing three bands of safety and security zones around liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and tankers in Boston Harbor to safeguard against “sabotage or other subversive acts” in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The first set of safety/security zones would apply to all waters in Boston Harbor within a 500-yard radius of any anchored LNG vessel; the second pair of zones would cover all waters in the harbor within a 400-yard radius of any tanker moored at the Distrigas LNG facilities in Everett, MA; while the third band of zones would provide a shield of two miles ahead, one mile behind and 500 yards on either side for any moving LNG tanker in the harbor, according to the proposal published in the Federal Register on July 26 [CGD01-02-023].

The proposed rule is designed to provide increased protection for LNG tankers anchored at the Distrigas facility, which was idled last September when the Coast Guard banned LNG shipments into Boston Harbor following the attacks in New York City and near Washington, DC. The LNG ban in the harbor, which borders Boston’s financial district and several communities, was lifted in mid-October (see NGI, Oct. 22, 2001].

The Coast Guard’s current safety zones apply only to loaded LNG tankers in Boston Harbor, but the proposed safety/security zones would cover both unloaded and loaded vessels at the Distrigas facilities, the rule said.

While the Coast Guard “recognizes that operational marine terminals are presently adjacent to the Distrigas…facility and could be impacted by this proposed rule,” it said it “does not seek to hinder the operations [of] these facilities.” However, it noted that “in the event a significant security risk exists on their properties or a terrorist event is imminent or has occurred, these activities may come under increased scrutiny and possible restrictions.”

Violation of the proposed safety or security zones would be punishable by civil penalties of up to $25,000 per incident, criminal penalties of not more than $250,000 (plus a maximum of 10 years in prison), “in rem” liability against the offending vessel and license sanctions, according to the Coast Guard proposal.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by Aug. 26. They should be forwarded to Marine Safety Office Boston, 455 Commercial St., Boston, MA. For further information, contact David Sherry, Marine Safety Office Boston, Maritime Security Operations Division, at (617) 223-3030.

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