Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: January 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 3)]

[Notices]

[Page 877-878]

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

[DOCID:fr06ja99-58]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

December 21, 1998. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the

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information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before February 5, 1999. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commissions, Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the internet to lesmith@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies of the information collections contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or via the Internet at lesmith@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0835.

Title: Ship Inspection Certificates.

Form Number: FCC 806, FCC 824, FCC 827, and 829.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities; Not-for- profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Governments.

Number of Respondents: 3,730.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 101 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $0.

Needs and Uses: The Commission adopted Rules that privatized ship inspections of ships subject to inspection requirements of the Communications Act or Safety Convention. The Rules require this inspection to be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician. This change reduces the administrative burden on the public and the Commission. To ensure that vessel safety is not adversely affected by this proposal, the Commission adopted Rules that private sector technicians certify that the ship passed an inspection and issue the ship a safety certificate.

The Communications Act requires that the Commission must inspect the radio installation of large cargo ships and certain passenger ships at least once a year to ensure that the radio installation is in compliance with the requirements of the Communications Act. Additionally, the Communications Act requires the inspection of small passenger ships at least once every five years. The Safety Convention (to which the United States is a signatory) also requires an annual inspection, but permits an Administration to entrust the inspections to either surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations recognized by it. Therefore, the United States can have other entities conduct the radio inspection of vessels for compliance with the Safety Convention. The Commission adopted rules that FCC-licensed technicians provide a summary of the results of the inspection in the ship's log and furnish the vessel with a ship inspection safety certificate. The purpose of the information is to ensure that the inspection was successful so that passengers and crew members of certain United Sates ships have access to distress communications in an emergency.

Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-147Filed1-5-99; 8:45 am]

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