Action
Temporary final rule; request for comments.
Summary
This temporary final rule amends the rates charged for Great Lakes pilotage on the Designated Waters of Area 5 in District Two and restores them to those effective before August 13, 2001. The Lake Pilots Association, representing pilots in District Two, challenged the ratemaking effective on and after that date, and sued. The Coast Guard, while not agreeing with the allegations in the complaint, did learn during the course of litigation that it had inadvertently accounted for hours of delay and detention in District Two differently from how it was done in Districts One and Three. The Coast Guard is currently working on an updated ratemaking that will, among other things, correct this error. In the interim, it is considered in the best interest of the public to temporarily return the rates (in District Two, Area 5) to those effective prior to August 13, 2001. This temporary final rule will not be retroactive and future rates will not be adjusted as a result of this action.