Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2014 Annual Review and Adjustment
Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)
Proposed Rules
Pages 48374-48397
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2013-19209
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
46 CFR Part 401
USCG-2013-0534
1625-AC07
Great Lakes Pilotage Rates--2014 Annual Review and Adjustment
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes rate adjustments for pilotage services on the Great Lakes, which were last amended in February 2013. The proposed adjustments would establish new base rates and are made in accordance with a full ratemaking procedure. The proposed update reflects the Coast Guard exercising the discretion provided by Step 7 of the Appendix A methodology. The result is an upward adjustment to match the rate increase of the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority. We also propose adjusting weighting factors used to determine rates for vessels of different size, providing a procedure for temporary surcharges, and including dues paid to the American Pilots Association. This notice of proposed rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's strategic goal of maritime safety.
DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 7, 2013 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2013-0534 using any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email Mr. Todd Haviland, Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, Commandant (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2037, email Todd.A.Haviland@uscg.mil, or fax 202-372-1914. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Ms. Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents for Preamble
I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
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Submitting Comments
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Viewing Comments and Documents
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Privacy Act
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Public Meeting
II. Abbreviations
III. Basis and Purpose
IV. Background
V. Discussion of Proposed Rule
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Summary
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Discussion of Methodology
VI. Regulatory Analyses
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Regulatory Planning and Review
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Small Entities
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Assistance for Small Entities
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Collection of Information
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Federalism
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
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Taking of Private Property
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Civil Justice Reform
I. Protection of Children
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Indian Tribal Governments
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Energy Effects
L. Technical Standards
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Environment
I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.
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Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2013-0534), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert ``USCG-2013-0534'' in the ``Search'' box. Click on ``Submit a Comment'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) based on your comments.
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Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, insert ``USCG-2013-0534'' and click ``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.
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Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
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Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting, but you may submit a request for one to the docket using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES. In your request, explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
II. Abbreviations
AMOU American Maritime Officers Union
APA American Pilots Association
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CPA Certified public accountant
CPI Consumer Price Index
E.O. Executive Order
FR Federal Register
GLPAC Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee
MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement
MOA Memorandum of Arrangements
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OMB Office of Management and Budget
ROI Return on investment
Sec. Section symbol
U.S.C. United States Code
III. Basis and Purpose
The basis of this NPRM is the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960 (``the Act'') (46 U.S.C. Chapter 93), which requires U.S. vessels operating ``on register'' \1\ and foreign vessels to use U.S. or Canadian registered pilots while transiting the U.S. waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes system. 46 U.S.C. 9302(a)(1). The Act requires the Secretary to ``prescribe by regulation rates and charges for pilotage services, giving consideration to the public interest and the costs of providing the services.'' 46 U.S.C. 9303(f). Rates must be established or reviewed and adjusted each year, not later than March 1. Base rates must be established by a full ratemaking at least once every 5 years, and in years when base rates are not established, they must be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted. 46 U.S.C. 9303(f). The Secretary's duties and authority under the Act have been delegated to the Coast Guard. Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, paragraph (92)(f). Coast Guard regulations implementing the Act appear in parts 401 through 404 of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Procedures for use in establishing base rates appear in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, and procedures for annual review and adjustment of existing base rates appear in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix C.
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\1\ ``On register'' means that the vessel's certificate of documentation has been endorsed with a registry endorsement, and therefore, may be employed in foreign trade or trade with Guam, American Samoa, Wake, Midway, or Kingman Reef. 46 U.S.C. 12105, 46 CFR 67.17.
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The purpose of this NPRM is to establish new base pilotage rates, using the methodology found in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A.
IV. Background
The vessels affected by this NPRM are those engaged in foreign trade upon the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes. United
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States and Canadian ``lakers,'' \2\ which account for most commercial shipping on the Great Lakes, are not affected. 46 U.S.C. 9302.
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\2\ A ``laker'' is a commercial cargo vessel especially designed for and generally limited to use on the Great Lakes.
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The U.S. waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway are divided into three pilotage districts. Pilotage in each district is provided by an association certified by the Coast Guard Director of Great Lakes Pilotage to operate a pilotage pool. It is important to note that, while we set rates, we do not control the actual number of pilots an association maintains, so long as the association is able to provide safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage service. Also, we do not control the actual compensation that pilots receive. The actual compensation is determined by each of the three district associations, which use different compensation practices.
District One, consisting of Areas 1 and 2, includes all U.S. waters of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. District Two, consisting of Areas 4 and 5, includes all U.S. waters of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair River. District Three, consisting of Areas 6, 7, and 8, includes all U.S. waters of the St. Mary's River, Sault Ste. Marie Locks, and Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior. Area 3 is the Welland Canal, which is serviced exclusively by the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority and, accordingly, is not included in the United States rate structure. Areas 1, 5, and 7 have been designated by Presidential Proclamation, pursuant to the Act, to be waters in which pilots must, at all times, be fully engaged in the navigation of vessels in their charge. Areas 2, 4, 6, and 8 have not been so designated because they are open bodies of water. While working in those undesignated areas, pilots must only ``be on board and available to direct the navigation of the vessel at the discretion of and subject to the customary authority of the master.'' 46 U.S.C. 9302(a)(1)(B).
This NPRM is a full ratemaking to establish new base pilotage rates, using the methodology found in 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A. The last full ratemaking established the current base rates in 2013 (78 FR 13521; Feb. 28, 2013). Among other things, the Appendix A methodology requires us to review detailed pilot association financial information, and we contract with independent accountants to assist in that review. We have now completed our review of the independent accountants' 2011 financial reports. The comments by the pilot associations on those reports and the independent accountants' final findings are discussed in our document entitled ``Summary--Independent Accountant's Report on Pilot Association Expenses, with Pilot Association Comments and Accountant's Responses,'' which appears in the docket.
V. Discussion of Proposed Rule
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Summary
We propose establishing new base pilotage rates in accordance with the methodology outlined in Appendix A to 46 CFR part 404. The proposed new rates would be established by March 1, 2014, and effective August 1, 2014. Our arithmetical calculations under Steps 1 through 6 of Appendix A would result in an average 10.74 percent rate decrease. This rate decrease is not the result of increased efficiencies in providing pilotage services but rather is a result of recent downward changes to American Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) contracts. Therefore, we will exercise the discretion outlined in Step 7 and increase rates by 2.5 percent to match the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority's rate adjustment. We will provide additional discussion when we explain our Step 7 adjustment of pilot rates. Table 1 shows the proposed percent change for the new rates for each area.
Secondly, we propose to adjust United States weighting factors in this NPRM to match Canadian weighting factors. At its February 2013 meeting, the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC) unanimously recommended (Resolution 13-01, which can be viewed at www.faca.gov \3\) that the Coast Guard align United States weighting factors with those adopted by Canada in 2008. Weighting factors are multipliers based on the size of a ship and are used in determining actual charges for pilotage service. Matching the Canadian weighting factors would provide greater parity between the United States and Canada and reduce billing confusion between the two countries, both of which are important Federal Government concerns, as emphasized by recent Executive Order (E.O.) 13609, ``Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation'' (77 FR 26413; May 4, 2012). These weighting factors are applied to the charges for pilotage service; they are not used in the ratemaking methodology nor are they related to the annual changes in benchmark union contracts that determine target pilot compensation. Because this adjustment would in no way be connected with the benchmark contract changes that take effect on August 1, 2014, we propose making the adjustment effective March 1, 2014, to eliminate the disparity between U.S. and Canadian pilotage systems that has existed since 2008. Based on historic traffic levels, we believe this weighting factor adjustment will increase U.S. pilot association revenues by approximately 6 to 7.5 percent.
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\3\ Resolution 13-01, a summary, and a transcript of the GLPAC meeting are available at this Web site.
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Next, we propose to include dues paid to the American Pilots Association (APA) by the three districts as an allowable expense that is necessary and reasonable for the safe conduct of pilotage on the Great Lakes. We are committed to a safe and efficient pilotage system on the Great Lakes and the APA, as the trade association for all pilotage groups across the United States, has worked diligently with the Coast Guard and the associations to share best practices and facilitate the development of training plans for the U.S. Great Lakes Registered Pilots. Fifteen percent of the APA dues are used for lobbying and will be excluded, because lobbying expenses are prohibited. Previously, APA dues were excluded from the ratemaking process because they were deemed unnecessary for pilot licensure. While it remains true APA membership is not needed for licensure, we now believe that the APA's commitment to safety, professional development, and the sharing of best practices warrants the inclusion of APA dues as a necessary and reasonable expense.
Finally, we propose adding a new regulation that would allow the Coast Guard to authorize temporary surcharges under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 9303(f) and in the interest of safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage. 46 U.S.C. 9303(f) allows the Secretary to ``prescribe by regulation rates and charges for pilotage services, giving consideration to the public interest and the costs of providing the services.'' Temporary surcharges would be imposed when the surcharges serve the public interest by enabling the pilot associations to take on expenses in the interest of providing safe and reliable pilotage. Among the situations we think might warrant the imposition of a surcharge would be an association's need to acquire new capital assets or new technology, and the need to train pilots in the proper use of new assets or technology. Under our proposal, a given surcharge will not exceed 1 year in length and must be proposed for public comment prior to application. We propose using this new procedure to impose a temporary 3 percent surcharge
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to traffic in District One to compensate pilots for $48,995 that the District One pilots' association spent on training in 2012. Normally, this expense would not be recognized and reflected in pilotage rates until the 2015 annual ratemaking. By authorizing a surcharge now, we would accelerate the reimbursement for necessary and reasonable training expenses. This procedure will allow the associations to recover these expenses the year after they are incurred instead of waiting three years. We conducted several meetings with the pilot association presidents to discuss training and they would be more willing to participate in training if the expenses were fully recognized the following year. The surcharge would be authorized for the duration of the 2014 shipping season, which begins in March 2014. This merely accelerates the payment for these improvements, which fall within historically-approved reimbursable items. At the end of the 2014 shipping season, we will account for the monies the surcharge generate and make adjustments (debits/credits) to the operating expenses for the following year. We will also ensure that these accelerated training expenses are removed from the expenses of future rulemakings.
We encourage all Great Lakes pilots to renew training on a 5-10 year basis that includes these topics, which are essential for providing safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage service:
Radar observer certification;
Bridge resource management;
Requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended;
Legal aspects of pilotage;
Fatigue training as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board; and
Basic and emergency ship handling simulator/manned models training. The Coast Guard is pleased that District One pilots sought portions of this training. We encourage District Two and District Three pilots to seek similar training, which we are willing to review for inclusion in the rate on a case-by-case basis.
All figures in the tables that follow are based on calculations performed either by an independent accountant or by the Director's \4\ staff. In both cases, those calculations were performed using common commercial computer programs. Decimalization and rounding of the audited and calculated data affects the display in these tables but does not affect the calculations. The calculations are based on the actual figure that rounds values for presentation in the tables.
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\4\ ``Director'' is the Coast Guard Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, which is used throughout this NPRM.
Table 1--Summary of Rate Adjustments Based on Step 7 Discretion
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Then the
percent
If pilotage service is required in: change over
the current
rate is:
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Area 1 (Designated waters)................................. 2.50
Area 2 (Undesignated waters)............................... 2.50
Area 4 (Undesignated waters)............................... 2.50
Area 5 (Designated waters)................................. 2.50
Area 6 (Undesignated waters)............................... 2.50
Area 7 (Designated waters)................................. 2.50
Area 8 (Undesignated waters)............................... 2.50
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Discussion of Methodology
The Appendix A methodology provides seven steps, with sub-steps, for calculating rate adjustments. The following discussion describes those steps and sub-steps, and includes tables showing how we have applied them to the 2011 financial information supplied by the pilots association.
Step 1: Projection of Operating Expenses. In this step, we project the amount of vessel traffic annually. Based on that projection, we forecast the amount of necessary and reasonable operating expenses that pilotage rates should recover.
Step 1.A: Submission of Financial Information. This sub-step requires each pilot association to provide us with detailed financial information in accordance with 46 CFR part 403. The associations complied with this requirement, supplying 2011 financial information in 2012. This is the most current and complete data set we have available.
Step 1.B: Determination of Recognizable Expenses. This sub-step requires us to determine which reported association expenses will be recognized for ratemaking purposes, using the guidelines shown in 46 CFR 404.5. We contracted with an independent accountant to review the reported expenses and submit findings recommending which reported expenses should be recognized. The accountant also reviewed which reported expenses should be adjusted prior to recognition or disallowed for ratemaking purposes. The accountant's preliminary findings were sent to the pilot associations, they reviewed and commented on those findings, and the accountant then finalized the findings. The Director reviewed and accepted the final findings, resulting in the determination of recognizable expenses. The preliminary findings, the associations' comments on those findings, and the final findings are all discussed in the ``Summary--Independent Accountant's Report on Pilot Association Expenses, with Pilot Association Comments and Accountant's Responses,'' which appears in the docket. Tables 2 through 4 show each association's recognized expenses.
Table 2--Recognized Expenses for District One
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Area 1 Area 2
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Reported expenses for 2011 St. Lawrence Total
River Lake Ontario
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Operating Expenses:
Other Pilotage Costs:
Pilot subsistence/Travel.............................. $234,724 $156,246 $390,970
License insurance..................................... 0 0 0
Payroll taxes......................................... 61,483 47,611 109,094
Other................................................. 837 588 1,425
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Total Other Pilotage Costs........................ 297,044 204,445 501,489
Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
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Pilot boat expense.................................... 111,772 76,904 188,676
Dispatch expense...................................... 0 0 0
Payroll taxes......................................... 8,611 5,925 14,536
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Total Pilot and Dispatch Costs.................... 120,383 82,829 203,212
Administrative Expenses:
Legal................................................. 10,592 6,922 17,514
Insurance............................................. 23,780 16,492 40,272
Employee benefits..................................... 21,282 14,645 35,927
Payroll taxes......................................... 5,032 3,463 8,495
Other taxes........................................... 5,042 3,470 8,512
Travel................................................ 756 520 1,276
Depreciation/Auto leasing/Other....................... 38,252 26,319 64,571
Interest.............................................. 18,484 12,718 31,202
Dues and subscriptions................................ 9,180 9,180 18,360
Utilities............................................. 4,314 2,941 7,255
Salaries.............................................. 50,718 34,897 85,615
Accounting/Professional fees.......................... 5,752 3,428 9,180
Pilot Training........................................ 4,200 2,277 6,477
Other................................................. 9,959 6,880 16,839
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Total Administrative Expenses..................... 207,343 144,152 351,495
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Total Operating Expenses.......................... 624,770 431,426 1,056,196
Proposed Adjustments (Independent certified public
accountant (CPA):
Operating Expenses:
Other Pilot Costs:
Pilotage subsistence/Travel........................... (2,492) (1,714) (4,206)
Payroll taxes......................................... 12,883 8,864 21,747
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Total Other Pilotage Costs........................ 10,391 7,150 17,541
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TOTAL CPA ADJUSTMENTS............................. 10,391 7,150 17,541
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Total Operating Expenses...................... 635,161 438,576 1,073,737
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Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Table 3--Recognized Expenses for District Two
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Area 4 Area 5
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Reported expenses for 2011 Southeast Shoal Total
Lake Erie to Port Huron,
MI
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Operating Expenses:
Other Pilotage Costs:
Pilot subsistence/Travel.............................. $79,250 $118,874 $198,124
License insurance..................................... 6,168 9,252 15,420
Payroll taxes......................................... 36,676 55,013 91,689
Other................................................. 23,560 35,341 58,901
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Total Other Pilotage Costs........................ 145,654 218,480 364,134
Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
Pilot boat expense.................................... 104,955 157,432 262,387
Dispatch expense...................................... 6,060 9,090 15,150
Employee Benefits..................................... 40,419 60,628 101,047
Payroll taxes......................................... 7,135 10,703 17,838
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Total Pilot and Dispatch Costs.................... 158,569 237,853 396,422
Administrative Expenses:
Legal................................................. 37,520 56,281 93,801
Office rent........................................... 26,275 39,413 65,688
Insurance............................................. 10,672 16,009 26,681
Employee benefits..................................... 16,365 24,548 40,913
Payroll taxes......................................... 4,446 6,668 11,114
Other taxes........................................... 14,273 21,409 35,682
Depreciation/Auto leasing/Other....................... 15,604 23,407 39,011
Interest.............................................. 2,772 4,159 6,931
Dues and subscriptions................................ 7,069 10,603 17,672
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Utilities............................................. 15,410 23,115 38,525
Salaries.............................................. 39,874 59,810 99,684
Accounting/Professional fees.......................... 12,110 18,164 30,274
Pilot Training........................................ 0 0 0
Other................................................. 8,860 13,291 22,151
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Total Administrative Expenses..................... 211,250 316,877 528,127
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Total Operating Expenses:......................... 515,473 773,210 1,288,683
Proposed Adjustments (Independent CPA):
Operating Expenses:
Other Pilotage Costs:
Pilot subsistence/Travel.............................. (2,598) (3,896) (6,494)
Other................................................. (566) (850) (1,416)
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Total Other Pilotage Costs........................ (3,164) (4,746) (7,910)
Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
Employee benefits..................................... (100) (150) (249)
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Total Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs............... (100) (150) (249)
Administrative Expenses:
Employee benefits..................................... (25) (38) (63)
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Total Administrative Expenses..................... (25) (38) (63)
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TOTAL CPA ADJUSTMENTS............................. (3,289) (4,933) (8,222)
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Total Operating Expenses...................... 512,184 768,277 1,280,461
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Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Table 4--Recognized Expenses for District Three
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Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
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Reported expenses for 2011 Lakes Huron and Total
Michigan St. Mary's River Lake Superior
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Operating Expenses:
Other Pilotage Costs:
Pilot subsistence/Travel............ 196,529 72,789 94,625 363,943
License insurance................... 10,157 3,762 4,891 18,810
Payroll taxes....................... 63,803 23,631 30,720 118,153
Other............................... 2,184 809 1,052 4,045
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Total Other Pilotage Costs...... 272,673 100,991 131,288 504,951
Pilot Boat and Dispatch Costs:
Pilot boat expense.................. 243,077 90,028 117,037 450,142
Dispatch expense.................... 87,059 32,244 41,917 161,221
Payroll taxes....................... 9,607 3,558 4,626 17,791
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Total Pilot Boat and Dispatch 339,743 125,830 163,580 629,154
Costs..........................
Administrative Expenses:
Legal............................... 12,138 4,495 5,844 22,477
Office rent......................... 5,346 1,980 2,574 9,900
Insurance........................... 7,451 2,760 3,587 13,798
Employee benefits................... 73,230 27,122 35,259 135,611
Payroll taxes....................... 6,154 2,279 2,963 11,396
Other taxes......................... 19,339 7,163 9,311 35,813
Depreciation/Auto leasing........... 34,341 12,719 16,534 63,594
Interest............................ 2,682 993 1,291 4,966
Dues and subscriptions.............. 11,016 5,508 7,344 23,868
Utilities........................... 19,723 7,305 9,496 36,524
Salaries............................ 55,772 20,656 26,853 103,281
Accounting/Professional fees........ 13,419 4,970 6,461 24,850
Pilot Training...................... 516 191 248 955
Other............................... 5,394 1,998 2,597 9,989
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Total Administrative Expenses... 266,521 100,139 130,362 497,022
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Total Operating Expenses........ 878,937 326,960 425,230 1,631,127
Proposed Adjustments (Independent CPA):
Operating Expenses:
Other Pilotage Costs:
Payroll taxes....................... 22,446 8,313 10,807 41,566
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Total Other Pilotage Costs...... 22,446 8,313 10,807 41,566
Administrative Expenses:
Other Taxes......................... (1,613) (598) (777) (2,988)
Depreciation/Auto leasing........... (7,707) (2,854) (3,711) (14,272)
Other............................... (610) (226) (294) (1,130)
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Total Administrative Expenses... (9,930) (3,678) (4,782) (18,390)
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TOTAL CPA ADJUSTMENTS........... 12,516 4,635 6,025 23,176
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Total Operating Expenses.... 891,453 331,595 431,255 1,654,303
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Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Step 1.C: Adjustment for Inflation or Deflation. In this sub-step, we project rates of inflation or deflation for the succeeding navigation season. Because we used 2011 financial information, the ``succeeding navigation season'' for this ratemaking is 2012. We based our inflation adjustment of 2 percent on the 2012 change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Midwest Region of the United States, which can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro5xg01.htm. This adjustment appears in Tables 5 through 7.
Table 5--Inflation Adjustment, District One
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Area 1 Area 2
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Reported expenses for 2011 St. Lawrence Total
River Lake Ontario
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Total Operating Expenses:.................. ... $635,161 ... $438,576 ... $1,073,737
2012 change in the CPI for the Midwest x .02 x .02 x .02
Region of the United States...............
Inflation Adjustment....................... = $12,703 = $8,772 = $21,475
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Table 6--Inflation Adjustment, District Two
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Area 4 Area 5
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Reported expenses for 2011 Southeast Shoal Total
Lake Erie to Port Huron,
MI
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Total Operating Expenses:.................. ... $512,184 ... $768,277 ... $1,280,461
2012 change in the CPI for the Midwest x .02 x .02 x .02
Region of the United States...............
Inflation Adjustment....................... = $10,244 = $15,366 = $25,609
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Table 7--Inflation Adjustment, District Three
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Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
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Reported expenses for 2011 Lakes Huron and Total
Michigan St. Mary's River Lake Superior
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Total Operating Expenses:................................... ... $891,453 ... $331,595 ... $431,255 ... $1,654,303
2012 change in the CPI for the Midwest Region of the United x .02 x .02 x .02 x .02
States.....................................................
Inflation Adjustment........................................ = $17,829 = $6,632 = $8,625 = $33,086
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Step 1.D: Projection of Operating Expenses. In this final sub-step of Step 1, we project the operating expenses for each pilotage area on the basis of the preceding sub-steps and any other foreseeable circumstances that could affect the accuracy of the projection. We are not aware of any such foreseeable circumstances that now exist in District One.
For District One, the projected operating expenses are based on the calculations from Steps 1.A through 1.C. Table 8 shows these projections.
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Table 8--Projected Operating Expenses, District One
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Area 1 Area 2
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Reported expenses for 2011 St. Lawrence Total
River Lake Ontario
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Total operating expenses................... ... $635,161 ... $438,576 ... $1,073,737
Inflation adjustment 2.0%.................. + $12,703 + $8,772 + $21,475
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Total projected expenses for 2014 = $647,864 = $447,348 = $1,095,212
pilotage season.......................
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Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
In District Two, Federal taxes of $12,000 are accounted for in Step 6 (Federal Tax Allowance). The projected operating expenses are based on the calculations from Steps 1.A through 1.C and Federal taxes. Table 9 shows these projections.
Table 9--Projected Operating Expenses, District Two
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Area 4 Area 5
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Reported expenses for 2011 Southeast Shoal Total
Lake Erie to Port Huron,
MI
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Total Operating Expenses................... ... $512,184 ... $768,277 ... $1,280,461
Inflation adjustment 2.0%.................. + $10,244 + $15,366 + $25,609
Director's adjustment and foreseeable
circumstances
Federal taxes (accounted for in Step 6).... + ($4,800) + ($7,200) + ($12,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total projected expenses for 2014 = $517,627 = $776,442 = $1,294,070
pilotage season.......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, we are not aware of any foreseeable circumstances for District Three. Its projected operating expenses are based on the calculations from Steps 1.A through 1.C. Table 10 shows these projections.
Table 10--Projected Operating Expenses, District Three
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Reported expenses for 2011 Lakes Huron and Total
Michigan St. Mary's River Lake Superior
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses.............................................. ... $891,453 ... $331,595 ... $431,255 ... $1,654,303
Inflation adjustment 2.0%................................... + $17,829 + $6,632 + $8,625 + $33,086
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total projected expenses for 2014 pilotage season....... = $909,282 = $338,227 = $439,880 = $1,687,389
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 2: Projection of Target Pilot Compensation. In Step 2, we project the annual amount of target pilot compensation that pilotage rates should provide in each area. These projections are based on our latest information on the conditions that will prevail in 2014.
Step 2.A: Determination of Target Rate of Compensation. Target pilot compensation for pilots in undesignated waters approximates the average annual compensation for first mates on U.S. Great Lakes vessels. Compensation is determined based on the most current union contracts and includes wages and benefits received by first mates. We calculate target pilot compensation for pilots on designated waters by multiplying the average first mates' wages by 150 percent and then adding the average first mates' benefits.
The most current union contracts available to us are AMOU contracts with three U.S. companies engaged in Great Lakes shipping. There are two separate AMOU contracts available--we refer to them as Agreements A and B, and apportion the compensation provided by each agreement according to the percentage of tonnage represented by companies under each agreement. Agreement A applies to vessels operated by Key Lakes, Inc., and Agreement B applies to all vessels operated by American Steamship Co. and Mittal Steel USA, Inc.
Agreements A and B both expire on July 31, 2016. The AMOU has set the daily aggregate rate--including the daily wage rate, vacation pay, pension plan contributions, and medical plan contributions effective August 1, 2014 as follows: (1) In undesignated waters, $612.20 for Agreement A and $604.64 for Agreement B; and (2) In designated waters, $842.63 for Agreement A and $829.40 for Agreement B.
Because we are interested in annual compensation, we must convert these daily rates. We use a 270-day multiplier which reflects an average 30-day month, over the 9 months of the average shipping season. Table 11 shows our calculations using the 270-day multiplier.
Page 48382
Table 11--Projected Annual Aggregate Rate Components
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Rate--Wages and Vacation, Pension, and Medical Benefits Pilots
on undesignated waters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement A:
$612.20 daily rate x 270 days......... 165,294.00
Agreement B:
$604.64 daily rate x 270 days......... 163,252.80
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilots on designated waters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement A:
$842.63 daily rate x 270 days......... 227,510.10
Agreement B:
$829.40 daily rate x 270 days......... 223,938.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We apportion the compensation provided by each agreement according to the percentage of tonnage represented by companies under each agreement. Agreement A applies to vessels operated by Key Lakes, Inc., representing approximately 30 percent of tonnage, and Agreement B applies to all vessels operated by American Steamship Co. and Mittal Steel USA, Inc., representing approximately 70 percent of tonnage. Table 12 provides details.
Table 12--Shipping Tonnage Apportioned by Contract
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company Agreement A Agreement B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Steamship Company...................... .............................. 815,600
Mittal Steel USA, Inc........................... .............................. 38,826
Key Lakes, Inc.................................. 361,385 ..............................
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total tonnage, each agreement............... 361,385 854,426
---------------------------------------------------------------
Percent tonnage, each agreement......... 361,385 / 1,215,811 = 29.7238% 854,426 / 1,215,811 = 70.2762%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We use the percentages from Table 12 to apportion the projected compensation from Table 11. This gives us a single tonnage-weighted set of figures. Table 13 shows our calculations.
Table 13--Tonnage-weighted Wage and Benefit Components
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undesignated Designated
waters waters
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement A:
Total wages and benefits...................................... ... $165,294.00 ... $227,510.10
Percent tonnage............................................... x 29.7238% x 29.7238%
---------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... = $49,132 = $67,625
Agreement B:
Total wages and benefits...................................... ... $163,252.80 ... $223,938.00
Percent tonnage............................................... x 70.2762% x 70.2762%
---------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... = $114,728 = $157,375
Projected Target Rate of Compensation:
Agreement A total weighted average wages and benefits......... ... $49,132 ... $67,625
Agreement B total weighted average wages and benefits......... + $114,728 + $157,375
---------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... = $163,860 = $225,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 2.B: Determination of the Number of Pilots Needed. Subject to adjustment by the Director to ensure uninterrupted service or for other reasonable circumstances, we determine the number of pilots needed for ratemaking purposes in each area by dividing projected bridge hours for each area, by either 1,000 (designated waters) or 1,800 (undesignated waters) bridge hours. We round the mathematical results and express our determination as whole pilots.
``Bridge hours are the number of hours a pilot is aboard a vessel providing pilotage service.'' (46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, Step 2.B(1)). For that reason, and as we explained most recently in the 2011 ratemaking's final rule (76 FR 6351 at 6352 col. 3 (Feb. 4, 2011)), we do not include, and never have included, pilot delay, detention, or cancellation in calculating bridge hours. Projected bridge hours are based on the vessel traffic that pilots are expected to serve. We use historical data, input from the pilots and industry, periodicals and trade magazines, and information from conferences to project demand for pilotage services for the coming year.
In our 2013 final rule, we determined that 38 pilots would be needed for ratemaking purposes. We have
Page 48383
determined that District 3 has two excess billets that remain unfilled and that current and projected traffic levels do not support the retention of these unfilled billets. For 2014, we project 36 pilots is the proper number to use for ratemaking purposes. We are removing one pilot from each of the undesignated waters of District Three (one each from Area 6 and Area 8). The total pilot authorization strength includes five pilots in Area 2, where rounding up alone would result in only four pilots. For the same reasons we explained at length in the 2008 ratemaking final rule (74 FR 220 at 221-22 (Jan. 5, 2009)) we have determined that this adjustment is essential for ensuring uninterrupted pilotage service in Area 2. Table 14 shows the bridge hours we project will be needed for each area and our calculations to determine the number of whole pilots needed for ratemaking purposes.
Table 14--Number of Pilots Needed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Divided by 1,000
(designated
Pilotage area Projected 2014 waters) or 1,800 Calculated value Pilots needed
bridge hours (undesignated of pilot demand (total = 36)
waters)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (Designated waters).... 5,116 / 1,000 = 5.116 6
Area 2 (Undesignated waters).. 5,429 / 1,800 = 3.016 5
Area 4 (Undesignated waters).. 5,814 / 1,800 = 3.230 4
Area 5 (Designated waters).... 5,052 / 1,000 = 5.052 6
Area 6 (Undesignated waters).. 9,611 / 1,800 = 5.339 6
Area 7 (Designated waters).... 3,023 / 1,000 = 3.023 4
Area 8 (Undesignated waters).. 7,540 / 1,800 = 4.189 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 2.C: Projection of Target Pilot Compensation. In Table 15, we project total target pilot compensation separately for each area by multiplying the number of pilots needed in each area, as shown in Table 14, by the target pilot compensation shown in Table 13.
Table 15--Projection of Target Pilot Compensation by Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Target rate of Projected target
Pilotage area Pilots needed pilot pilot
(total= 36) compensation compensation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (Designated waters)...................... 6 x $225,000 = $1,349,999
Area 2 (Undesignated waters).................... 5 x $163,860 = $819,298
Area 4 (Undesignated waters).................... 4 x $163,860 = $655,438
Area 5 (Designated waters)...................... 6 x $225,000 = $1,349,999
Area 6 (Undesignated waters).................... 6 x $163,860 = $983,157
Area 7 (Designated waters)...................... 4 x $225,000 = $899,999
Area 8 (Undesignated waters).................... 5 x $163,860 = $819,298
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Steps 3 and 3.A: Projection of Revenue. In Steps 3 and 3.A., we project the revenue that would be received in 2014 if demand for pilotage services matches the bridge hours we projected in Table 14, and if 2012 pilotage rates are left unchanged. Table 16 shows this calculation.
Table 16--Projection of Revenue by Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
Pilotage area Projected 2014 2013 Pilotage projection for
bridge hours rates 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (Designated waters)...................... 5,116 x $460.97 = $2,358,327
Area 2 (Undesignated waters).................... 5,429 x $284.84 = $1,546,373
Area 4 (Undesignated waters).................... 5,814 x $205.27 = $1,193,426
Area 5 (Designated waters)...................... 5,052 x $508.91 = $2,571,038
Area 6 (Undesignated waters).................... 9,611 x $199.95 = $1,921,756
Area 7 (Designated waters)...................... 3,023 x $482.94 = $1,459,929
Area 8 (Undesignated waters).................... 7,540 x $186.67 = $1,407,490
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... ................ ... ................ ... $12,458,339
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Step 4: Calculation of Investment Base. In this step, we calculate each association's investment base, which is the recognized capital investment in the assets employed by the association required to support pilotage operations. This step uses a formula set out in 46 CFR Part 404, Appendix B. The first part of the formula identifies each association's total sources of funds. Tables 17 through 19 follow the formula up to that point.
Page 48384
Table 17--Total Sources of Funds, District One
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recognized Assets:
Total Current Assets.......................................... ... $669,895 ... $460,921
Total Current Liabilities..................................... - $54,169 - $37,271
Current Notes Payable......................................... + $24,746 + $17,026
Total Property and Equipment (NET)............................ + $369,024 + $253,907
Land.......................................................... - $13,054 - $8,981
Total Other Assets............................................ + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Assets:.................................. = $996,442 = $685,602
Non-Recognized Assets
Total Investments and Special Funds........................... + $6,243 + $4,295
---------------------------------------------
Total Non-Recognized Assets:.............................. = $6,243 = $4,295
Total Assets
Total Recognized Assets....................................... ... $996,442 ... $685,602
Total Non-Recognized Assets................................... + $6,243 + $4,295
---------------------------------------------
Total Assets:............................................. = $1,002,685 = $689,897
Recognized Sources of Funds
Total Stockholder Equity...................................... ... $647,677 ... $445,633
Long-Term Debt................................................ + $318,571 + $219,193
Current Notes Payable......................................... + $24,746 + $17,026
Advances from Affiliated Companies............................ + $0 + $0
Long-Term Obligations--Capital Leases......................... + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Sources:................................. = $990,994 = $681,852
Non-Recognized Sources of Funds
Pension Liability............................................. ... $0 ... $0
Other Non-Current Liabilities................................. + $0 + $0
Deferred Federal Income Taxes................................. + $0 + $0
Other Deferred Credits........................................ + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Non-Recognized Sources:............................. = $0 = $0
Total Sources of Funds
Total Recognized Sources...................................... ... $990,994 ... $681,852
Total Non-Recognized Sources.................................. + $0 + $0
Total Sources of Funds:................................... = $990,994 = $681,852
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 18--Total Sources of Funds, District Two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 4 Area 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recognized Assets:
Total Current Assets.......................................... ... $454,465 ... $681,697
Total Current Liabilities..................................... - $409,366 - $614,048
Current Notes Payable......................................... + $25,822 + $38,734
Total Property and Equipment (NET)............................ + $420,422 + $630,632
Land.......................................................... - $0 - $0
Total Other Assets............................................ + $60,195 + $90,293
---------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Assets................................... = $551,538 = $827,308
Non-Recognized Assets: ................
Total Investments and Special Funds........................... + $0 + $0
Total Non-Recognized Assets............................... = $0 = $0
Total Assets:
Total Recognized Assets....................................... ... $551,538 ... $827,308
Total Non-Recognized Assets................................... + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Assets.............................................. = $551,538 = $827,308
Recognized Sources of Funds:
Total Stockholder Equity...................................... ... $89,537 ... $134,305
Long-Term Debt................................................ + $410,357 + $615,535
Current Notes Payable......................................... + $25,822 + $38,734
Advances from Affiliated Companies............................ + $0 + $0
Long-Term Obligations--Capital Leases......................... + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Sources.................................. = $525,716 = $788,574
Non-Recognized Sources of Funds:
Pension Liability............................................. ... $0 ... $0
Other Non-Current Liabilities................................. + $0 + $0
Deferred Federal Income Taxes................................. + $0 + $0
Page 48385
Other Deferred Credits........................................ + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Non-Recognized Sources.............................. = $0 = $0
Total Sources of Funds:
Total Recognized Sources...................................... ... $525,716 ... $788,574
Total Non-Recognized Sources.................................. + $0 + $0
---------------------------------------------
Total Sources of Funds.................................... = $525,716 = $788,574
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 19--Total Sources of Funds, District Three
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recognized Assets:
Total Current Assets................... ... $658,934 ... $244,050 ... $317,265
Total Current Liabilities.............. - $64,869 - $24,025 - $31,233
Current Notes Payable.................. + $3,869 + $1,433 + $1,863
Total Property and Equipment (NET)..... + $21,905 + $8,113 + $10,547
Land................................... - $0 - $0 - $0
Total Other Assets..................... + $540 + $200 + $260
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Assets............ = $620,379 = $229,771 = $298,702
Non-Recognized Assets:
Total Investments and Special Funds.... + $0 + $0 + $0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Non-Recognized Assets........ = $0 = $0 = $0
Total Assets:
Total Recognized Assets................ ... $620,379 ... $229,771 ... $298,702
Total Non-Recognized Assets............ + $0 + $0 + $0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets....................... = $620,379 = $229,771 = $298,702
Recognized Sources of Funds:
Total Stockholder Equity............... ... $606,164 ... $224,505 ... $291,857
Long-Term Debt......................... + $6,478 + $2,399 + $3,119
Current Notes Payable.................. + $3,869 + $1,433 + $1,863
Advances from Affiliated Companies..... + $0 + $0 + $0
Long-Term Obligations--Capital Leases.. + $0 + $0 + $0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recognized Sources........... = $616,511 = $228,337 = $296,839
Non-Recognized Sources of Funds:
Pension Liability...................... ... $0 ... $0 ... $0
Other Non-Current...................... + $0 + $0 + $0
Liabilities............................
Deferred Federal Income................ + $0 + $0 + $0
Taxes..................................
Other Deferred Credits................. + $0 + $0 + $0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Non-Recognized Sources....... = $0 = $0 = $0
Total Sources of Funds:
Total Recognized Sources............... ... $616,511 ... $228,337 ... $296,839
Total Non-Recognized Sources........... + $0 + $0 + $0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Sources of Funds............. = $616,511 = $228,337 = $296,839
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tables 17 through 19 also relate to the second part of the formula for calculating the investment base. The second part establishes a ratio between recognized sources of funds and total sources of funds. Since no non-recognized sources of funds (sources we do not recognize as required to support pilotage operations) exist for any of the pilot associations for this year's rulemaking, the ratio between recognized sources of funds and total sources of funds is 1:1 (or a multiplier of 1) in all cases. Table 20 applies the multiplier of 1 and shows that the investment base for each association equals its total recognized assets. Table 20 also expresses these results by area, because area results will be needed in subsequent steps.
Page 48386
Table 20--Investment Base by Area and District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multiplier
Total Recognized Total sources (ratio of Investment
District Area recognized sources of of funds ($) recognized to base ($) \1\
assets ($) funds ($) total sources)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One..................................................... 1 996,442 990,994 990,994 1 996,442
2 685,602 681,852 681,852 1 685,602
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL............................................... .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. 1,682,044
Two \2\................................................. 4 551,538 525,716 525,716 1 551,538
5 827,308 788,574 788,574 1 827,308
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL............................................... .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. 1,378,846
Three................................................... 6 620,379 616,511 616,511 1 620,379
7 229,771 228,337 228,337 1 229,771
8 298,702 296,839 296,839 1 298,702
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL............................................... .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. 1,148,852
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``Investment base'' = ``Total recognized assets'' x ``Multiplier (ratio of recognized to total sources)''.
\2\ The pilot associations that provide pilotage services in Districts One and Three operate as partnerships. The pilot association that provides
pilotage service for District Two operates as a corporation.
Step 5: Determination of Target Rate of Return. We determine a market-equivalent return on investment (ROI) that will be allowed for the recognized net capital invested in each association by its members. We do not recognize capital that is unnecessary or unreasonable for providing pilotage services. There are no non-recognized investments in this year's calculations. The allowed ROI is based on the preceding year's average annual rate of return for new issues of high-grade corporate securities. For 2012, the preceding year, the allowed ROI was 3.67 percent, based on the average rate of return for that year on Moody's AAA corporate bonds, which can be found at: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/AAA/downloaddata?cid=119.
Step 6: Adjustment Determination. The first part of the adjustment determination requires an initial calculation, applying a formula described in Appendix A. The formula uses the results from Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 to project the ROI that can be expected in each area if no further adjustments are made. This calculation is shown in Tables 21 through 23.
Table 21--Projected ROI, Areas in District One
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue (from Step 3)............................................. ... $2,358,327 ... $1,546,373
Operating Expenses (from Step 1).................................. - $647,864 - $447,348
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2).................................. - $1,349,999 - $819,298
Operating Profit/(Loss)........................................... = $360,464 = $279,728
Interest Expense (from audits).................................... - $18,484 - $12,718
Earnings Before Tax............................................... = $341,980 = $267,010
Federal Tax Allowance............................................. - $0 - $0
Net Income........................................................ = $341,980 = $267,010
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)............................ ... $360,464 ... $279,728
Investment Base (from Step 4)..................................... / $996,442 / $685,602
Projected Return on Investment.................................... = 0.3618 = 0.4080
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 22--Projected ROI, Areas in District Two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 4 Area 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue (from Step 3)............................................. ... $1,193,426 ... $2,571,038
Operating Expenses (from Step 1).................................. - $517,627 - $776,442
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2).................................. - $655,438 - $1,349,999
Operating Profit/(Loss)........................................... = $20,361 = $444,597
Interest Expense (from audits).................................... - $2,772 - $4,159
Earnings Before Tax............................................... = $17,589 = $440,438
Federal Tax Allowance............................................. - $4,800 - $7,200
Net Income........................................................ = $12,789 = $433,238
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)............................ ... $15,561 ... $437,397
Investment Base (from Step 4)..................................... / $551,538 / $827,308
Projected Return on Investment.................................... = 0.0282 = 0.5287
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 23--Projected ROI, Areas in District Three
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue (from Step 3)...................... ... $1,921,756 ... $1,459,929 ... $1,407,490
Page 48387
Operating Expenses (from Step 1)........... - $909,282 - $338,227 - $439,880
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)........... - $983,157 - $899,999 - $819,298
Operating Profit/(Loss).................... = $29,317 = $221,703 = $148,312
Interest Expense (from audits)............. - $2,682 - $993 - $1,291
Earnings Before Tax........................ = $26,635 = $220,710 = $147,021
Federal Tax Allowance...................... - $0 - $0 - $0
Net Income................................. = $26,635 = $220,710 = $147,021
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)..... ... $29,317 ... $221,703 ... $148,312
Investment Base (from Step 4).............. / 620,379 / $229,771 / $298,702
Projected Return on Investment............. = 0.0473 = 0.9649 = 0.4965
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second part required for Step 6 compares the results of Tables 21 through 23 with the target ROI (3.67 percent) we obtained in Step 5 to determine if an adjustment to the base pilotage rate is necessary. Table 24 shows this comparison for each area.
Table 24--Comparison of Projected ROI and Target ROI, by Area \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeast
St. Lawrence Lake Ontario Lake Erie Shoal to Port Lakes Huron St. Mary's Lake Superior
River Huron, MI and Michigan River
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected return on investment.......... 0.3618 0.4080 0.0282 0.5287 0.0473 0.9649 0.4965
Target return on investment............. 0.0367 0.0367 0.0367 0.0367 0.0367 0.0367 0.0367
Difference in return on investment...... 0.3251 0.3713 (0.0085) 0.4920 0.0106 0.9282 0.4598
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Note: Decimalization and rounding of the target ROI affects the display in this table but does not affect our calculations, which are based on the
actual figure.
Because Table 24 shows a significant difference between the projected and target ROIs, an adjustment to the base pilotage rates is necessary. Step 6 now requires us to determine the pilotage revenues that are needed to make the target return on investment equal to the projected return on investment. This calculation is shown in Table 25. It adjusts the investment base we used in Step 4, multiplying it by the target ROI from Step 5, and applies the result to the operating expenses and target pilot compensation determined in Steps 1 and 2.
Table 25--Revenue Needed To Recover Target ROI, By Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment
Operating Target pilot base (Step 4)
Pilotage area expenses (Step compensation x 3.67% Federal tax Revenue needed
1) (Step 2) (Target ROI allowance
Step 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (Designated waters).......................... $647,864 + $1,349,999 + $36,569 + $0 = $2,034,432
Area 2 (Undesignated waters)........................ 447,348 + 819,298 + 25,162 + 0 = 1,291,807
Area 4 (Undesignated waters)........................ 517,627 + 655,438 + 20,241 + 4,800 = 1,198,107
Area 5 (Designated waters).......................... 776,442 + 1,349,999 + 30,362 + 7,200 = 2,164,003
Area 6 (Undesignated waters)........................ 909,282 + 983,157 + 22,768 + 0 = 1,915,207
Area 7 (Designated waters).......................... 338,227 + 899,999 + 8,433 + 0 = 1,246,659
Area 8 (Undesignated waters)........................ 439,880 + 819,298 + 10,962 + 0 = 1,270,140
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................................... 4,076,671 + 6,877,187 + 154,498 + 12,000 = 11,120,355
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ``Revenue Needed'' column of Table 25 is more than the revenue we projected in Table 16. For purposes of transparency, we verify the calculations in Table 25 by rerunning the formula in the first part of Step 6, using the revenue needed from Table 25 instead of the Table 16 revenue projections we used in Tables 21 through 23. Tables 26 through 28 show that attaining the Table 25 revenue needed is sufficient to recover target ROI.
Page 48388
Table 26--Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District One
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed.................................................... ... $2,034,432 ... $1,291,807
Operating Expenses (from Step 1).................................. - 647,864 - 447,348
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2).................................. - 1,349,999 - 819,298
Operating Profit/(Loss)........................................... = 36,569 = 25,162
Interest Expense (from audits).................................... - 18,484 - 12,718
Earnings Before Tax............................................... = 18,085 = 12,444
Federal Tax Allowance............................................. - 0 - 0
Net Income........................................................ = 18,085 = 12,444
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)............................ ... 36,569 ... 25,162
Investment Base (from Step 4)..................................... / 996,442 / 685,602
Return on Investment.............................................. = 0.0367 = 0.0367
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 27--Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District Two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 4 Area 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed.................................................... + $1,198,107 + $2,164,003
Operating Expenses (from Step 1).................................. - 517,627 - 776,442
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2).................................. - 655,438 - 1,349,999
Operating Profit/(Loss)........................................... = 25,041 = 37,562
Interest Expense (from audits).................................... - 2,772 - 4,159
Earnings Before Tax............................................... = 22,269 = 33,403
Federal Tax Allowance............................................. - 4,800 - 7,200
Net Income........................................................ = 17,469 = 26,203
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)............................ ... 20,241 ... 30,362
Investment Base (from Step 4)..................................... / 551,538 / 827,308
Return on Investment.............................................. = 0.0367 = 0.0367
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 28--Balancing Revenue Needed and Target ROI, District Three
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed............................. + $1,915,207 + $1,246,659 + $1,270,140
Operating Expenses (from Step 1)........... - $909,282 - $338,227 - $439,880
Pilot Compensation (from Step 2)........... - $983,157 - $899,999 - $819,298
Operating Profit/(Loss).................... = $22,768 = $8,433 = $10,962
Interest Expense (from audits)............. - $2,682 - $993 - $1,291
Earnings Before Tax........................ = $20,086 = $7,440 = $9,671
Federal Tax Allowance...................... - $0 - $0 - $0
Net Income................................. = $20,086 = $7,440 = $9,671
Return Element (Net Income + Interest)..... ... $22,768 ... $8,433 ... $10,962
Investment Base (from Step 4).............. / $620,379 / $229,771 / $298,702
Return on Investment....................... = 0.0367 = 0.0367 = 0.0367
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 7: Adjustment of Pilotage Rates. Finally, and subject to negotiation with Canada or adjustment for other supportable circumstances, we calculate rate adjustments by dividing the Step 6 revenue needed (Table 25) by the Step 3 revenue projection (Table 16), to give us a rate multiplier for each area. Tables 29 through 31 show these calculations.
Table 29--Rate Multiplier, Areas in District One
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2
------------------ -----------------
Ratemaking projections St. Lawrence
River Lake Ontario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed (from Step 6)...................................... ... $2,034,432 ... $1,291,807
Revenue (from Step 3)............................................. / $2,358,327 / $1,546,373
Rate Multiplier................................................... = 0.8627 = 0.8354
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 30--Rate Multiplier, Areas in District Two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 4 Area 5
------------------ -----------------
Ratemaking projections Southeast Shoal
Lake Erie to Port Huron,
MI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed (from Step 6)...................................... ... $1,198,107 ... $2,164,003
Page 48389
Revenue (from Step 3)............................................. / $1,193,426 / $2,571,038
Rate Multiplier................................................... = 1.0039 = 0.8417
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 31--Rate Multiplier, Areas in District Three
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6 Area 7 Area 8
------------------ ------------------ -----------------
Ratemaking projections Lakes Huron and
Michigan St. Mary's River Lake Superior
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Needed (from Step 6)............... ... $1,915,207 ... $1,246,659 ... $1,270,140
Revenue (from Step 3)...................... / $1,921,756 / $1,459,929 / $1,407,490
Rate Multiplier............................ = 0.9966 = 0.8539 = 0.9024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We calculate a rate multiplier for adjusting the basic rates and charges described in 46 CFR 401.420 and 401.428, and it is applicable in all areas. We divide total revenue needed (Step 6, Table 25) by total projected revenue (Steps 3 and 3.A, Table 16). Table 32 shows this calculation.
Table 32--Rate Multiplier for Basic Rates and Charges in 46 CFR 401.420
and 401.428
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratemaking projections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue Needed (from Step 6)................... ... $11,120,355
Total revenue (from Step 3).......................... / $12,458,339
Rate Multiplier...................................... = 0.8926
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table shows that rates for cancellation, delay, or interruption in rendering services (46 CFR 401.420) and basic rates and charges for carrying a U.S. pilot beyond the normal change point, or for boarding at other than the normal boarding point (46 CFR 401.428), would decrease by 10.74 percent in all areas.
Without further action, the existing rates we established in our 2013 final rule would then be multiplied by the rate multipliers from Tables 29 through 31 to calculate the area by area rate changes for 2014. The resulting 2014 rates, on average, would then be decreased approximately 11 percent from the 2013 rates. This decrease is not due to increased efficiencies in pilotage services but rather a result of recent significant downward adjustments to AMOU contracts. We declined to impose this decrease because financial data from one of the associations indicates that such a rate decrease would make it difficult for it to continue funding operations and may even cause it to fold. Further, the decrease would have an adverse effect on providing safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage in the other two pilotage districts as well. Finally, our Memorandum of Arrangements (MOA) with Canada calls for comparable pilotage rates between the two countries and we have proposed matching our rates to the Canadian rate, which has actually increased by 2.5 percent this year. Our discretionary authority under Step 7 must be ``based on requirements of the Memorandum of Arrangements between the United States and Canada, and other supportable circumstances that may be appropriate.'' The MOA call for comparable United States and Canadian rates, and the rates would not be comparable if United States rates for 2014 decrease by approximately 11 percent, while Canadian rates for 2014 increase by 2.5 percent. ``Other supportable circumstances'' we have for exercising our discretion include recent E.O. 13609, ``Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation,'' which calls on Federal agencies to eliminate ``unnecessary differences'' between U.S. and foreign regulations (77 FR 26413; May 4, 2012; sec. 1), and the risk that a substantial rate decrease would jeopardize the ability of the three pilotage associations to provide safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage service.
Therefore, we propose relying on the discretionary authority we have under Step 7 to further adjust rates so that they match those adopted by the Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority for 2014. Table 33 compares the impact, area by area, that an average decrease of 11 percent would have, relative to the impact each area would experience if United States rates match those of the Canadian GLPA.
A Coast Guard contractor is currently preparing a comprehensive study of our Great Lakes Pilotage ratemaking methodology, which is scheduled to be completed later in 2013. The study will address possible alternatives to the use of AMOU contracts as benchmarks for pilot compensation. We welcome any recommendations from GLPAC or the public on that issue.
Table 33--Impact of Exercising Step 7 Discretion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change in rate Percent change in rate
Area without exercising Step with exercise of Step 7
7 discretion discretion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 (Designated waters).................................... -13.73 2.50
Area 2 (Undesignated waters).................................. -16.46 2.50
Area 4 (Undesignated waters).................................. 0.39 2.50
Area 5 (Designated waters).................................... -15.83 2.50
Area 6 (Undesignated waters).................................. -0.34 2.50
Area 7 (Designated waters).................................... -14.61 2.50
Page 48390
Area 8 (Undesignated waters).................................. -9.76 2.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following tables reflect our proposed rate adjustments of 2.5 percent across all areas.
Tables 34 through 36 show these calculations.
Table 34--Proposed adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District One
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted rate
2013 Rate Rate multiplier for 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1--St. Lawrence River
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Pilotage.................................. $18.75/km, x 1.025 = $19.22/km,
$33.19/mi $34.02/mi
Each lock transited............................. $416 x 1.025 = $426
Harbor movage................................... $1,361 x 1.025 = $1,395
Minimum basic rate, St. Lawrence River.......... $908 x 1.025 = $931
Maximum rate, through trip...................... $3,984 x 1.025 = $4,084
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 2--Lake Ontario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour period................................... $851 x 1.025 = $872
Docking or undocking............................ $812 x 1.025 = $832
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
In addition to the proposed rate charges in Table 34, and for the reasons we discussed in the Summary section of Part V of this preamble, we propose adding the authority to impose surcharges in the governing regulations and, under that new regulation, we propose authorizing District One to implement a temporary supplemental 3 percent charge on each source form (the ``bill'' for pilotage service) for the duration of the 2014 shipping season, which begins in March 2014. The Canadian Great Lakes Pilotage Authority (GLPA) has used an 18 percent surcharge without disrupting traffic. As a result, we have concluded that a 3 percent surcharge will not disrupt traffic. District One must provide us with monthly status reports once this surcharge becomes effective for the duration of the 2014 shipping season, which begins in March 2014. We will exclude these training expenses from future rates.
Table 35--Proposed Adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District Two
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted rate
2013 Rate Rate multiplier for 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 4--Lake Erie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour period................................... 828 x 1.025 = 849
Docking or undocking............................ 637 x 1.025 = 653
Any point on Niagara River below Black Rock Lock 1,626 x 1.025 = 1,667
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 5--Southeast Shoal to Port Huron, MI between any point on or in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast 1,382 x 1.025 = 1,417
Shoal..........................................
Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast 2,339 x 1.025 = 2,397
Shoal & Southeast Shoal........................
Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast 3,037 x 1.025 = 3,113
Shoal & Detroit River..........................
Toledo or any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast 2,339 x 1.025 = 2,397
Shoal & Detroit Pilot Boat.....................
Port Huron Change Point & Southeast Shoal (when 4,074 x 1.025 = 4,176
pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot
Boat)..........................................
Port Huron Change Point & Toledo or any point on 4,719 x 1.025 = 4,837
Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal (when pilots
are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat).....
Port Huron Change Point & Detroit River......... 3,060 x 1.025 = 3,137
Port Huron Change Point & Detroit Pilot Boat.... 2,381 x 1.025 = 2,441
Port Huron Change Point & St. Clair River....... 1,693 x 1.025 = 1,735
St. Clair River................................. 1,382 x 1.025 = 1,417
St. Clair River & Southeast Shoal (when pilots 4,074 x 1.025 = 4,176
are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat).....
St. Clair River & Detroit River/Detroit Pilot 3,060 x 1.025 = 3,137
Boat...........................................
Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River.............. 1,382 x 1.025 = 1,417
Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & Southeast 2,339 x 1.025 = 2,397
Shoal..........................................
Page 48391
Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & Toledo or 3,037 x 1.025 = 3,113
any point on Lake Erie W. of Southeast Shoal...
Detroit, Windsor, or Detroit River & St. Clair 3,060 x 1.025 = 3,137
River..........................................
Detroit Pilot Boat & Southeast Shoal............ 1,693 x 1.025 = 1,735
Detroit Pilot Boat & Toledo or any point on Lake 2,339 x 1.025 = 2,397
Erie W. of Southeast Shoal.....................
Detroit Pilot Boat & St. Clair River............ 3,060 x 1.025 = 3,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
Table 36--Proposed Adjustment of Pilotage Rates, Areas in District Three
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted rate
2013 Rate Rate multiplier for 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 6--Lakes Huron and Michigan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour Period.................................. $691 x 1.025 = $708
Docking or undocking........................... $656 x 1.025 = $672
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 7--St. Mary's River between any point on or in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gros Cap & De Tour............................. $2,583 x 1.025 = $2,648
Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf, Sault Ste. Marie, $2,583 x 1.025 = $2,648
Ont. & De Tour................................
Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf, Sault. Ste. Marie, $973 x 1.025 = $997
Ont. & Gros Cap...............................
Any point in Sault St. Marie, Ont., except the $2,165 x 1.025 = $2,219
Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf & De Tour............
Any point in Sault St. Marie, Ont., except the $973 x 1.025 = $997
Algoma Steel Corp. Wharf & Gros Cap...........
Sault Ste. Marie, MI & De Tour................. $2,165 x 1.025 = $2,219
Sault Ste. Marie, MI & Gros Cap................ $973 x 1.025 = $997
Harbor movage.................................. $973 x 1.025 = $997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 8--Lake Superior
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour period.................................. $586 x 1.025 = $601
Docking or undocking........................... $557 x 1.025 = $571
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Numbers may not total due to rounding.
VI. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes and E.O.s related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on these statutes or E.O.s.
-
Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and 13563 (``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
This proposed rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The Coast Guard is required to review and adjust pilotage rates on the Great Lakes annually. See Parts III and IV of this preamble for detailed discussions of the Coast Guard's legal basis and purpose for this rulemaking and for background information on Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking. Based on our annual review for this proposed rulemaking, we are adjusting the pilotage rates for the 2014 shipping season to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, and to target pilot compensation and returns on pilot associations' investments. The rate adjustments in this proposed rule would, if codified, lead to a cost in District One and cost savings in Districts Two and Three. The cost savings that would accrue to Districts Two and Three would outweigh the cost to District One, which would result in an estimated annual cost savings to shippers of approximately $817,983 across all three districts.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Despite increasing Great Lakes pilotage rates, on average, by approximately 2.5 percent from the current rates set in the 2013 final rule, we estimate a net cost savings across all three districts as a result of an expected decrease in the demand for pilotage services from the previous year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the overall cost savings that would accrue to all three districts as a result of the rate adjustments, we propose authorizing District One to implement a temporary supplemental 3 percent surcharge to traffic in District One in order to recover training expenses from 2012. This temporary surcharge would be authorized for the duration of the 2014 shipping season, which begins in March. We estimate that this would generate $120,070. At the end of the 2014 shipping season, we will account for the monies the surcharge generates and make adjustments (debits/credits) to the operating expenses for the following year.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Assuming our estimate is correct, we would credit District One shippers $71,075 in order to account for the difference between the total surcharges collected ($120,070) and the actual training expenses incurred ($48,995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 48392
Therefore, this proposed rule is expected to result in a cost savings to shippers of approximately $697,914 across all three districts.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ Total cost savings across all three districts is equal to the cost savings from rate changes plus a temporary surcharge to traffic in District One.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A regulatory assessment follows.
The proposed rule would apply the 46 CFR part 404, Appendix A, full ratemaking methodology, including the exercise of our discretion to increase Great Lakes pilotage rates, on average, approximately 2.5 percent overall from the current rates set in the 2013 final rule. The Appendix A methodology is discussed and applied in detail in Part V of this preamble. Among other factors described in Part V, it reflects audited 2011 financial data from the pilotage associations (the most recent year available for auditing), projected association expenses, and regional inflation or deflation. The last full Appendix A ratemaking was concluded in 2013 and used financial data from the 2010 base accounting year. The last annual rate review, conducted under 46 CFR part 404, Appendix C, was completed early in 2011.
The shippers affected by these rate adjustments are those owners and operators of domestic vessels operating on register (employed in foreign trade) and owners and operators of foreign vessels on a route within the Great Lakes system. These owners and operators must have pilots or pilotage service as required by 46 U.S.C. 9302. There is no minimum tonnage limit or exemption for these vessels. The Coast Guard's interpretation is that the statute applies only to commercial vessels and not to recreational vessels.
Owners and operators of other vessels that are not affected by this proposed rule, such as recreational boats and vessels operating only within the Great Lakes system, may elect to purchase pilotage services. However, this election is voluntary and does not affect our calculation of the rate and is not a part of our estimated national cost to shippers. Our sampling of pilot data suggests that there are very few U.S. domestic vessels that do not have registry and operate only in the Great Lakes that voluntarily purchase pilotage services.
We used 2010-2012 vessel arrival data from the Coast Guard's Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) system to estimate the average annual number of vessels affected by the rate adjustment. Using that period, we found that approximately 128 vessels journeyed into the Great Lakes system annually. These vessels entered the Great Lakes by transiting at least one of the three pilotage districts before leaving the Great Lakes system. These vessels often make more than one distinct stop, docking, loading, and unloading at facilities in Great Lakes ports. Of the total trips for the 128 vessels, there were approximately 353 annual U.S. port arrivals before the vessels left the Great Lakes system, based on 2010-2012 vessel data from MISLE.
The impact of the rate adjustment to shippers is estimated from the District pilotage revenues. These revenues represent the direct and indirect costs (``economic costs'') that shippers must pay for pilotage services. The Coast Guard sets rates so that revenues equal the estimated cost of pilotage for these services.
We estimate the additional impact (costs or savings) of the rate adjustment in this proposed rule to be the difference between the total projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2014, based on the 2013 rate adjustment, and the total projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2014, as set forth in this proposed rule, plus any temporary surcharges authorized by the Coast Guard. Table 37 details projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2014 after making the discretionary adjustment to pilotage rates as discussed in Step 7 of Part VI of this preamble. Table 38 summarizes the derivation for calculating the 3 percent surcharge on District One traffic as discussed in Step 7 of Part VI of this preamble. Table 39 details the additional costs or savings by area and district as a result of the rate adjustments and the temporary surcharge to District One traffic.
Table 37--Rate Adjustment by Area and District
$U.S.; Non-discounted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected revenue
2013 Pilotage Rate change \9\ 2014 Pilotage Projected 2014 needed in 2014
rates \8\ rates \10\ bridge hours \11\ \12\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1................................................... $460.97 1.0250 $472.50 5,116 $2,417,285
Area 2................................................... 284.84 1.0250 291.96 5,429 1,585,032
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, District One.................................. ................. ................. ................. ................. 4,002,318
Area 4................................................... 205.27 1.0250 210.40 5,814 1,223,262
Area 5................................................... 508.91 1.0250 521.64 5,052 2,635,314
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, District Two.................................. ................. ................. ................. ................. 3,858,576
Area 6................................................... 199.95 1.0250 204.95 9,611 1,969,800
Area 7................................................... 482.94 1.0250 495.01 3,023 1,496,427
Area 8................................................... 186.67 1.0250 191.34 7,540 1,442,677
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, District Three................................ ................. ................. ................. ................. 4,908,904
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Some values may not total due to rounding.
\8\ These 2013 estimates are described in Table 16 of this NPRM.
\9\ The estimated rate changes are described in Table 33 of this NPRM.
\10\ 2014 Pilotage Rates = 2013 Pilotage Rates x Rate Change.
\11\ These 2014 estimates are detailed in Table 14 of this NPRM.
\12\ Projected Revenue needed in 2014 = 2014 Pilotage Rates x Projected 2014 Bridge Hours.
Page 48393
Table 38--Derivation of Temporary Surcharge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1 Area 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected Revenue Needed in 2014 \13\......................... $2,417,285 $1,585,032
Surcharge Rate................................................ 3% 3%
Surcharge Raised.............................................. $72,519 $47,551
-------------------------------------------------
Total Surcharge........................................... ....................... $120,070
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ These estimates are described in Table 37 of this NPRM.
Table 39--Impact of the Proposed Rule by Area and District
$U.S: Non-discounted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional costs
Projected revenue Projected revenue Temporary or savings of
needed in 2013 needed in 2014 surcharge \15\ this proposed
\14\ rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1.............................. $2,404,424 $2,417,285 $72,519 $85,380
Area 2.............................. 1,569,160 1,585,032 47,551 63,423
Total, District One............. 3,973,584 4,002,318 120,070 148,803
Area 4.............................. 1,398,694 1,223,262 ................. (175,432)
Area 5.............................. 2,596,484 2,635,314 ................. 38,830
Total, District Two............. 3,995,178 3,858,576 ................. (136,602)
Area 6.............................. 2,281,673 1,969,800 ................. (311,873)
Area 7.............................. 1,556,517 1,496,427 ................. (60,090)
Area 8.............................. 1,780,829 1,442,677 ................. (338,152)
Total, District Three........... 5,619,019 4,908,904 ................. (710,115)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Some values may not total due to rounding.
\14\ These 2013 estimates are described in Table 27 of the 2013 NPRM.
\15\ These estimates are described in Table 38 of this NPRM.
After applying the discretionary rate change in this NPRM, the resulting difference between the projected revenue in 2013 and the projected revenue in 2014 is the annual impact to shippers from this proposed rule. This figure is equivalent to the total additional payments or savings that shippers would incur for pilotage services from this proposed rule. As discussed earlier, we consider a reduction in payments to be a cost savings.
The impact of the discretionary rate adjustment in this proposed rule to shippers varies by area and district. The discretionary rate adjustments would lead to affected shippers operating in District One experiencing total cost increases of $28,733.56, and affected shippers operating in District Two and District Three experiencing total cost savings of $136,601.82 and $710,115.00, respectively. The savings that accrue to shippers operating in District Two and District Three are the result of an expected decrease in the demand for pilotage services.
In addition to the rate adjustments, District One would also incur a temporary surcharge of 3 percent to traffic for the duration of the 2014 season in order to recover training expenses incurred from 2012. We estimate that this surcharge would generate $120,070. At the end of the 2014 shipping season, we will account for the monies the surcharge generates and make adjustments (debits/credits) to the operating expenses for the following year.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ Assuming our estimate is correct, we would credit District One shippers $71,075 at the end of the 2014 season in order to account for the difference between the total surcharges collected ($120,070) and the actual training expenses incurred by District One pilots ($48,995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To calculate an exact cost or savings per vessel is difficult because of the variation in vessel types, routes, port arrivals, commodity carriage, time of season, conditions during navigation, and preferences for the extent of pilotage services on designated and undesignated portions of the Great Lakes system. Some owners and operators would pay more and some would pay less, depending on the distance and the number of port arrivals of their vessels' trips. However, the additional savings reported earlier in this NPRM does capture the adjustment the shippers would experience as a result of the proposed rate adjustment. The overall impact of this NPRM would be a cost savings to shippers of approximately $697,914 across all three districts.
This proposed rule would allow the Coast Guard to meet the statutory requirements to review the rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes, thus ensuring proper pilot compensation.
Alternatively, if we imposed the new rates based on the new contract data from AMOU, there would be an approximately 11 percent decrease in rates across the system. This would have a larger effect on industry, moving from a proposed cost savings of approximately $697,914 to a cost savings of approximately $2,367,640. Table 40 details projected revenue needed to cover costs in 2014 if the discretionary adjustment to pilotage rates as discussed in Step 7 of Part VI of this preamble is not made. Table 41 details the additional costs or savings by area and district as a result of this alternative proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ These 2014 estimates are detailed in Table 14 of this NPRM.
Page 48394
Table 40--Alternative Rate Adjustment by Area and District
$U.S.; Non-discounted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 Pilotage 2014 Pilotage Projected 2014 Projected revenue
rates Rate change rates bridge hours \17\ needed in 2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1................................................... $460.97 0.8627 $397.66 5,116 $2,034,432
Area 2................................................... 284.84 0.8354 237.95 5,429 1,291,807
Total, District One.................................. ................. ................. ................. ................. 3,326,239
Area 4................................................... 205.27 1.0039 206.07 5,814 1,198,107
Area 5................................................... 508.91 0.8417 428.35 5,052 2,164,002
Total, District Two.................................. ................. ................. ................. ................. 3,362,109
Area 6................................................... 199.95 0.9966 199.27 9,611 1,915,207
Area 7................................................... 482.94 0.8539 412.39 3,023 1,246,659
Area 8................................................... 186.67 0.9024 168.45 7,540 1,270,140
Total, District Three................................ ................. ................. ................. ................. 4,432,006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Some values may not total due to rounding.
Table 41--Alternative Impact of the Rule by Area and District
$U.S.; Non-discounted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional costs
Projected revenue Projected revenue Temporary or savings of
needed in 2013 needed in 2014 surcharge \18\ this proposed
(A) (B) (C) rule (B-A) + C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area 1.............................. $2,404,424 $2,034,432 $61,033 ($308,959)
Area 2.............................. 1,569,160 1,291,807 38,754 (238,599)
Total, District One............. 3,973,584 3,326,239 99,787 (547,558)
Area 4.............................. 1,398,694 1,198,107 ................. (200,587)
Area 5.............................. 2,596,484 2,164,002 ................. (432,482)
Total, District Two............. 3,995,178 3,362,109 ................. (633,069)
Area 6.............................. 2,281,673 1,915,207 ................. (366,466)
Area 7.............................. 1,556,517 1,246,659 ................. (309,858)
Area 8.............................. 1,780,829 1,270,140 ................. (510,689)
Total, District Three........... 5,619,019 4,432,006 ................. (1,187,013)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Some values may not total due to rounding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ The temporary surcharge generated under this alternative is expected to be less than under the proposed alternative. This is a result of a substantial decrease in projected revenue due to the lower Projected Pilotage Rates for 2014 under this alternative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We reject this alternative because a substantial rate decrease would jeopardize the ability of the three pilotage associations to provide safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage service as well as violate the Memorandum of Arrangements, which calls for the United States' and Canada's pilotage rates to be comparable. See our discussion of Step 7 in Part VI of this preamble for further explanation.
-
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000 people.
We expect that entities affected by the proposed rule would be classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code subsector 483--Water Transportation, which includes the following 6-digit NAICS codes for freight transportation: 483111-Deep Sea Freight Transportation, 483113-Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation, and 483211-Inland Water Freight Transportation. According to the Small Business Administration's definition, a U.S. company with these NAICS codes and employing less than 500 employees is considered a small entity.
For the proposed rule, we reviewed recent company size and ownership data from 2010-2012 Coast Guard MISLE data and business revenue and size data provided by publicly available sources such as MANTA and Reference USA. We found that large, foreign-owned shipping conglomerates or their subsidiaries owned or operated all vessels engaged in foreign trade on the Great Lakes. We assume that new industry entrants would be comparable in ownership and size to these shippers.
There are three U.S. entities affected by the proposed rule that receive revenue from pilotage services. These are the three pilot associations that provide and manage pilotage services within the Great Lakes districts. Two of the associations operate as partnerships and one operates as a corporation. These associations are designated with the same NAICS industry classification and small-entity size standards described above, but they have fewer than 500 employees; combined, they have approximately 65 total employees. We expect no adverse impact to these entities from this proposed rule because all associations receive enough revenue to balance the projected expenses associated with the projected number of bridge hours and pilots.
Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. In your comment, explain why you think it
Page 48395
qualifies, as well as how and to what degree this proposed rule would economically affect it.
-
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the proposed rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult Mr. Todd Haviland, Director, Great Lakes Pilotage, Commandant (CG-WWM-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2037, email Todd.A.Haviland@uscg.mil, or fax 202-372-
1914. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
-
Collection of Information
This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). This proposed rule would not change the burden in the collection currently approved by the OMB under OMB Control Number 1625-0086, Great Lakes Pilotage Methodology.
-
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132. Our analysis is explained below.
Congress directed the Coast Guard to establish ``rates and charges for pilotage services.'' 46 U.S.C. 9303(f). This regulation is issued pursuant to that statute and is preemptive of state law as outlined in 46 U.S.C. 9306. Under 46 U.S.C. 9306, a ``State or political subdivision of a State may not regulate or impose any requirement on pilotage on the Great Lakes.'' As a result, States or local governments are prohibited from regulating within this category. Therefore, the rule is consistent with the principles of federalism and preemption requirements in Executive Order 13132.
While it is well settled that States may not regulate in categories in which Congress intended the Coast Guard to be the sole source of a vessel's obligations, the Coast Guard recognizes the key role that State and local governments may have in making regulatory determinations. Additionally, for rules with implications and preemptive effect, Executive Order 13132 specifically directs agencies to consult with State and local governments during the rulemaking process.
Therefore, the Coast Guard invites State and local governments and their representative national organizations to indicate their desire for participation and consultation in this rulemaking process by submitting comments to this NPRM. In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the Coast Guard will provide a federalism impact statement to document: (1) The extent of the Coast Guard's consultation with State and local officials who submit comments to this proposed rule; (2) a summary of the nature of any concerns raised by State or local governments and the Coast Guard's position thereon; and (3) a statement of the extent to which the concerns of State and local officials have been met. We will also report to the Office of Management and Budget any written communications with the States.
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Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or Tribal Government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such expenditure, we discuss the effects of this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.
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Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.
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Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
I. Protection of Children
We have analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This proposed rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.
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Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
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Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under that E.O. because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under E.O. 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under E.O. 13211.
L. Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management
Page 48396
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
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Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' section of this preamble. This proposed rule is categorically excluded under section 2.B.2, figure 2-1, paragraph 34(a) of the Instruction. Paragraph 34(a) pertains to minor regulatory changes that are editorial or procedural in nature. This proposed rule adjusts rates in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory mandates. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.
List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 401
Administrative practice and procedure, Great Lakes, Navigation (water), Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 46 CFR part 401 as follows:
PART 401--GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE REGULATIONS
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1. The authority citation for part 401 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2104(a), 6101, 7701, 8105, 9303, 9304; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; 46 CFR 401.105 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.
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2. In Sec. 401.400, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.400 Calculation of pilotage units and determination of weighting factor.
* * * * *
(b) Weighting Factor Table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighting
Range of pilotage units factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-49...................................................... 1.0
50-159.................................................... 1.15
160-189................................................... 1.30
190-and over.............................................. 1.45
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
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3. Add new Sec. 401.401 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.401 Surcharges.
To facilitate safe, efficient, and reliable pilotage, and for good cause, the Director may authorize surcharges on any rate or charge authorized by this subpart. Surcharges must be proposed for prior public comment and may not be authorized for more than one year.
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4. In Sec. 401.405, revise paragraphs (a) and (b), including the footnote to Table (a), to read as follows:
Sec. 401.405 Basic rates and charges on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.
* * * * *
(a) Area 1 (Designated Waters):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service St. Lawrence River
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Pilotage...................... $19.22 per kilometer or $34.02 per
mile \1\.
Each Lock Transited................. 426 \1\.
Harbor Movage....................... 1,395 \1\.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The minimum basic rate for assignment of a pilot in the St. Lawrence
River is $931, and the maximum basic rate for a through trip is
$4,084.
(b) Area 2 (Undesignated Waters):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Lake Ontario
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour Period........................................... $872
Docking or Undocking.................................... 832
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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5. In Sec. 401.407, revise paragraphs (a) and (b), including the footnote to Table (b), to read as follows:
Sec. 401.407 Basic rates and charges on Lake Erie and the navigable waters from Southeast Shoal to Port Huron, MI.
* * * * *
(a) Area 4 (Undesignated Waters):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lake Erie
(east of
Service Southeast Buffalo
Shoal)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour Period................................. $849 $849
Docking or Undocking.......................... 653 653
Any point on the Niagara River below the Black N/A 1,667
Rock Lock....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Area 5 (Designated Waters):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toledo or any
point on Lake Detroit Pilot
Any point on or in Southeast Shoal Erie west of Detroit River Boat St. Clair River
Southeast Shoal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toledo or any port on Lake Erie west of Southeast Shoal.. $2,397 $1,417 $3,113 $2,397 N/A
Port Huron Change Point.................................. \1\ 4,176 \1\ 4,837 3,137 2,441 1,735
St. Clair River.......................................... \1\ 4,176 N/A 3,137 3,137 1,417
Detroit or Windsor or the Detroit River.................. 2,397 3,113 1,417 N/A 3,137
Detroit Pilot Boat....................................... 1,735 2,397 N/A N/A 3,137
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ When pilots are not changed at the Detroit Pilot Boat.
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6. In Sec. 401.410, revise paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.410 Basic rates and charges on Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior; and the St. Mary's River.
* * * * *
(a) Area 6 (Undesignated Waters):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakes Huron
Service and Michigan
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour Period........................................... $708
Docking or Undocking.................................... 672
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Area 7 (Designated Waters):
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area De Tour Gros Cap Any harbor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gros Cap........................................................ $2,648 N/A N/A
Algoma Steel Corporation Wharf at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario..... 2,648 997 N/A
Any point in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, except the Algoma Steel 2,219 997 N/A
Corporation Wharf..............................................
Sault Ste. Marie, MI............................................ 2,219 997 N/A
Harbor Movage................................................... N/A N/A $997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Area 8 (Undesignated Waters):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Lake Superior
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-hour Period.......................................... $601
Docking or Undocking................................... 571
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 401.420 Amended
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7. Amend Sec. 401.420 as follows:
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In paragraph (a), remove the text ``$126'' and add, in its place, the text ``$129''; and remove the text ``$1,972'' and add, in its place, the text ``$2,021'';
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In paragraph (b), remove the text ``$126'' and add, in its place, the text ``$129''; and remove the text ``$1,972'' and add, in its place, the text ``$2,021''; and
0
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In paragraph (c)(1), remove the text ``$744'' and add, in its place, the text ``$763''; and in paragraph (c)(3), remove the text ``$126'' and add, in its place, the text ``$129'', and remove the text ``$1,972'' and add, in its place, the text ``$2,021''.
Sec. 401.428 Amended
0
8. In Sec. 401.428, remove the text ``$744'' and add, in its place, the text ``$763''.
Dated: July 31, 2013.
Rajiv Khandpur,
Acting Director, Marine Transportation Systems Management, U.S. Coast Guard.
FR Doc. 2013-19209 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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