Vessel identification system; effective date change,

[Federal Register: April 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 74)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 19039]

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

[DOCID:fr19ap99-5]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR part 187

[CGD 98-050]

RIN 2115-AD35

Vessel Identification System; Effective Date Change

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Interim final rule; change in effective date.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard extends the delay of the effective date of part of its regulations establishing the vessel identification system. Subpart D of these regulations addressing guidelines for State vessel titling systems was to become effective on April 24, 1999. The Coast Guard needs more time to study the costs and benefits of other possible regulatory alternatives. By extending the delay in the effective date until October 24, 1999, the Coast Guard will have more time to develop a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking. The remainder of the regulation is unaffected by this notice.

EFFECTIVE DATES: Effective April 23, 1999, the effective date of subpart D of 33 CFR part 187 is delayed until October 24, 1999. All other provisions of the interim final rule that became effective on April 24, 1996, will remain in effect.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding this change of effective date, call Ensign Brian Ly, Office of Information Resources, telephone 202-267-6989. This telephone is equipped to record messages on a 24-hour basis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

46 U.S.C. 12501 requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Vessel Identification System (VIS). On April 25, 1995 the Coast Guard published an interim final rule (60 FR 20310) which prescribed the manner and form for participating states to make information available for VIS, to establish vessel titling system guidelines, and to establish procedures for certifying compliance. The interim final rule was to go into full effect on April 24, 1996.

Reason for Delay

One subpart of the interim final rule prescribes the procedures for obtaining certification of compliance with guidelines for State vessel titling systems (33 CFR part 187, subpart D). The effective date of that subpart was delayed through April 23, 1999 (63 FR 19657) to allow the States and the Coast Guard more time to review the complexities of State titling systems. Since publishing the interim final rule, the Coast Guard has determined that changes resulting from the comments received over the course of this project would be so substantive that moving to a final rule without allowing another opportunity to comment would not be in the best interest of the public. The Coast Guard is currently drafting a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) which will allow for further comment. However, this process will take time to adequately research the costs and benefits of the proposed regulatory changes. Therefore, the Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of subpart D until October 24, 1999, before which time we expect to publish a SNPRM. All other provisions of the interim final rule will remain in effect.

Accordingly, under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 2103 and 49 CFR 1.46, the effective date of 33 CFR part 187, subpart D, is changed to October 24, 1999.

Dated: April 13, 1999. R. C. North, Assistant Commander for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.

[FR Doc. 99-9759Filed4-16-99; 8:45 am]

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