Meetings: Towing Safety Advisory Committee,

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Federal Register: April 20, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 76)NoticesPage 21148-21149From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr20ap04-81

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

USCG-2004-17515Towing Safety Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

SUMMARY: Two Working Groups of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet to discuss issues relating to towing vessel safety. The Regulatory Review Working Group will discuss travel time for towing vessel officers. The Maritime Security Working Group will discuss implementation of security plan regulations and development of timely feedback to the Coast Guard on port, vessel and facility security plan requirements. The meetings will be open to the public.

DATES: The Regulatory Review Working Group will meet on Tuesday, April 27,

[Page 21149]2004, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Maritime Security Working Group will meet on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The meetings may close early if all business is finished. Written material and requests to make oral presentations should reach the Coast Guard on or before April 26, 2004. Requests to have a copy of your material distributed to each member of the Working Group should reach the Coast Guard on or before April 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The Working Group will meet in room 725 of the National Pollution Funds Center, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203- 1804, Phone: 202-493-6700. Send written material and requests to make oral presentations to Mr. Gerald Miante, Commandant (G-MSO-1), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593- 0001. This notice and related documents are available on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov under the docket number USCG-2004-17515.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Miante, Assistant Executive Director of TSAC, telephone (202) 267-0214, fax (202) 267-4570, or e- mail gmiante@comdt.uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of the meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, as amended).

Discussion

The Regulatory Review Working Group's subject of travel time relates to problem of Towing Vessel Masters and Pilots having to drive or ride long distances to their vessels, then being required to get underway soon after arrival. In many instances, this travel time could be up to 4 to 10 hours or more, and the officer is then faced with a watch of at least 6 hours. Some consider this practice as work without sufficient rest.

The Maritime Security Working Group's subject of security plans involves studying the development, approval process, and implementation history of the newly required plans. They will attempt to identify any problems or deficiencies in the processes, develop methods of notifying the Coast Guard of their existence, and ascertain any best practices that have come to light.

Procedural

The meetings are open to the public. Please note that the meetings may close early if all business is finished. At the Chair's discretion, members of the public may make oral presentations during the meeting. If you would like to make an oral presentation at the meeting, please notify the Assistant Executive Director no later than April 26, 2004. Written material for distribution at the meeting should reach the Coast Guard no later than April 23, 2004.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the Assistant Executive Director as soon as possible.

Dated: April 8, 2004. Joseph J. Angelo, Director of Standards, Marine Safety, Security & Environmental Protection.

FR Doc. 04-8868 Filed 4-19-04; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4910-15-P

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