Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: March 23, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 55)]

[Notices]

[Page 13903-13904]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23mr98-123]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[CGD 1998-3600]

Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Coast Guard intends to request the approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the renewal of three Information Collection Requests (ICR). These ICR's include the: 1. Vessel Documentation; 2. Alternate Compliance-International/Inland Navigation Rules; and 3. Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices for Recreational Vessels. Before submitting the ICR's to OMB, the Coast Guard is asking for comments on the collections described below.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before May 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility, (USCG-1998-3600), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this document. Comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also access this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

Copies of the complete Information Collection Request are available through this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov and also from Commandant (G-SII-2), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, room 6106, (Attn: Barbara Davis), 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. The telephone number is 202-267-2326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this document, contact Barbara Davis, Office of Information Management, 202-267-2326. For questions on this docket, contact Carol Kelly, Coast Guard Dockets Team Leader, or Paulette Twine, Chief, Documentary Services Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, 202-366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit written comments. Persons submitting

[[Page 13904]]

comments should include their names and addresses, identify this document (CGD 1998-3600) and the specific Information Collection Request (ICR) to which each comment applies, and give the reasons for each comment. Please submit all comments and attachments in an unbound format no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes.

Information Collection Requests

1. Title: Vessel Documentation.

   OMB Control Number: 2115-0110.

   Summary: The information collected will be used to establish the eligibility of a vessel to: (a) be documented as a ``vessel of the United States,'' (b) engage in a particular trade, and/or (c) become the object of a preferred ship's mortgage. The information collected concerns citizenship of owner/applicant and build, tonnage and markings of a vessel.

   Need: 46 U.S.C. Chapters 121, 123, 125 and 313 requires the documentation of vessels. A Certificate of Documentation is required for the operation of a vessel in certain trades, serves as evidence of vessel nationality and permits a vessel to be subject to preferred mortgages.

   Respondents: Owners/builders of yachts and commercial vessels at least 5 net tons.

   Frequency: Annually.

   Burden Estimates: The estimated burden is 50,092 hours.

2. Title : Alternate Compliance--International/Inland Navigation Rules.

   OMB Control Number: 2115-0073.

   Summary: The information collected provides an opportunity for those with unique vessels to present their reasons why the vessel cannot comply with existing regulations and how alternate compliance can be achieved.

   Need: Certain vessels cannot comply with the International Regulations (33 U.S.C. 1601) and Inland Navigation Rules (33 U.S.C. 2001). the Coast Guard thus provides an opportunity for alternate compliance. However, it is not possible to determine whether alternate compliance is appropriate or what kind of alternative procedures might be necessary without this collection.

   Respondents: Vessel owners, operators, builders and agents.

   Frequency: One-time application.

   Burden Estimate: The estimated burden is 135 hours annually.

3. Title: Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for Recreational Vessels.

   OMB Control Number: 2115-0619.

   Summary: The information collected concerns the labeling and preparation of manuals for inflatable PFDs. In keeping with this requirement the Coast Guard has established a system for approval of PFDs for use on such vessels? To facilitate the approval and inspection process, the Coast Guard requires that manufacturers label their devices and publish users manuals to help the end user.

   Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 4302(a) prescribes regulations to: (a) establish minimum safety standards for recreational vessels, (b) require the installation and carrying or use of associated equipment and require or permit the display of seals, labels, plates, insignia or other devices for certifying or evidencing compliance with safety regulations. The labels are important for a number of reasons. First, they are essential to the user; they indicate the chest size of the PFD and also display printed and pictographic instructions for proper use and care of the PFD. Secondly, because they include a specific product number and the manufacturer's name they are central to the Coast Guard's mission of identifying faulty equipment and then notifying the responsible producer. The manuals also serve a dual purpose. On the one hand they give the user information they will need to properly use and maintain the device, and on the other they keep the Coast Guard informed as to the specifications and design of new PFDs.

   Respondents: PFD manufacturers.

   Frequency: On occasion.

   Burden Estimate: The estimated burden is 503.33 hours annually.

   Dated: March 13, 1998. S.A. Richardson, Acting Director, Information and Technology, U.S. Coast Guard.

   [FR Doc. 98-7451Filed3-20-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-14-M