[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13538]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 12 and 16

[CGD 93-051]
RIN 2115-AE54

 

Proof of Commitment To Employ Aboard U.S. Merchant Vessels

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard amends its regulations covering applicants for 
merchant mariner's documents to eliminate the requirement that the 
applicant provide proof of a commitment of employment as a member of 
the crew of a United States merchant vessel. Because of new 
requirements pertaining to applicants of merchant mariner's documents, 
the requirement for proof of a commitment of employment is no longer 
necessary. This action will relieve applicants and employers of an 
unnecessary regulatory burden.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referenced in this 
preamble are available for inspection or copying at the office of the 
Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-LRA/3406), U.S. Coast 
Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, 
between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1477.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mrs. Justine Bunnell, Merchant Vessel Personnel Division, at (202) 267-
0238.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mrs. 
Justine Bunnell, Project Manager, Office of Marine Safety, Security and 
Environment Protection, and Ms. Helen Boutrous, Project Counsel, Office 
of Chief Counsel.

Regulatory History

    On December 6, 1993, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) entitled ``Proof of Commitment to Employ Aboard U.S. 
Merchant Vessels'' in the Federal Register (58 FR 64278). The Coast 
Guard received four letters commenting on the proposal. A public 
hearing was not requested and one was not held.

Background and Purpose

    Section 12.25-5 of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
requires an applicant for an original merchant mariner's document (MMD) 
endorsed for service in ratings for which no professional examination 
is required to produce satisfactory proof of a commitment of employment 
(letter of commitment) as a member of the crew of a United States 
merchant vessel. This requirement was established in 1937 as a means to 
ensure that those persons obtaining MMDs were actually to be employed 
as merchant mariners. Because no fee or renewal requirements had been 
associated with application for an MMD, many applying for an MMD were 
doing so to obtain a desirable form of identification, and had no 
intention of seeking employment as a merchant mariner.
    On March 19, 1993, the Coast Guard published a final rule 
establishing user fees for services relating to marine licensing, 
certification of registry, and merchant mariner documentation (58 FR 
15228). That rule established an issuance fee of $35 for an MMD with an 
additional $17 charge for an FBI criminal record check if the 
application is for an original MMD. As noted in the preamble of the 
user fee final rule, as a result of the user fee and other expenses, 
individuals with no intention of returning to sea may choose not to 
renew a license. Likewise, the user fee will deter individuals with no 
intention of obtaining employment as a member of the crew of a United 
States merchant vessel from applying for an MMD. For this reason, the 
Coast Guard now considers the requirement for a letter of commitment 
unnecessary, and the requirement is removed by this rulemaking. This 
final rule also makes conforming changes to 46 CFR part 16 to remove 
references to ``commitment of employment.''

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    Four comments were received during the comment period. All of the 
comments supported the rulemaking as proposed. Therefore, no changes 
have been included in this final rule.

Regulatory Assessment

    This final rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866 and, has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget. It is also not significant under the 
``Department of Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures'' (44 
FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic 
impact to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Assessment is 
unnecessary. This final rule will relieve applicants of the burden of 
obtaining a letter from a new employer evidencing the employer's 
commitment to hire the applicant. Employers will be relieved of the 
burden of supplying such letters. While the cost of obtaining and 
supplying such letters is considered minimal, this action will relieve 
industry and applicants of an unnecessary regulatory requirement.

Small Entities

    This final rule will eliminate the requirement that an applicant 
provide proof of a commitment of employment as a member of the crew of 
a United States merchant vessel. The amendments will have minimal 
economic impact on the maritime industry. Therefore, the Coast Guard 
certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601et seq.), that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This final rule contains no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this final rule under the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. The authority to 
establish regulations pertaining to the issuance of merchant mariner's 
documents has been committed to the Secretary of Transportation by 
Federal statute and delegated to the Coast Guard. Documentation of 
merchant mariners is a matter national in application for which 
regulations should be of national scope to avoid unreasonably 
burdensome variances. Therefore, the Coast Guard intends to preempt 
State action addressing the same matter, although no such action is 
expected.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this final 
rule and concluded that, under section 2.B.2 of Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1B, this action is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation. The amendment involves only elimination of 
the requirement that an applicant provide proof of a commitment of 
employment as a member of the crew of a United States merchant vessel 
prior to receiving an MMD and clearly would have no environmental 
impact. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is available in the 
docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects

46 CFR Part 12

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.

46 CFR Part 16

    Drug testing, Marine safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Safety, Transportation.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 46 CFR parts 12 and 16 as follows:

PART 12--CERTIFICATION OF SEAMEN

    1. The authority citation for part 12 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 7301, 7701, 10104; 49 CFR 1.46.


Sec. 12.25-5  [Removed]

    2. Section 12.25-5 is removed.

PART 16--CHEMICAL TESTING

    3. The authority citation for part 16 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 7101, 7301, and 7701; 49 CFR 
1.46.


Sec. 16.105  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 16.105, the definition of Commitment of employment is 
removed.
    5. In Sec. 16.210, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 16.210  Pre-employment testing requirements.

    (a) No marine employer shall engage or employ any individual to 
serve as a crewmember unless the individual passes a chemical test for 
dangerous drugs for that employer.
* * * * *
    Dated: March 24, 1994.
A.E. Henn,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 94-13538 Filed 6-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M