[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22029]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Parts 120 and 128

[CGD 91-012]
RIN 2115-AD75

 

Security for Passenger Vessels and Passenger Terminals

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period; Notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening this rulemaking for comment in 
response to requests for further time to file comments on the proposed 
rule. It is also holding three public hearings. These measures will 
ensure that the affected industry has ample time to consider and 
comment on the proposed rule and will, to the maximum extent possible, 
ensure that the Coast Guard receives the best available information on 
which to base any final action on this rulemaking.

DATES: (1) Comments must be received on or before November 30, 1994. 
(2) Public hearings will be held on Friday, September 16, 1994, in 
Seattle, Washington; on Monday, September 19, in Juneau, Alaska; and on 
Wednesday, September 21, 1994, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. All three 
hearings will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. (or earlier, if all 
speakers have been heard).

ADDRESSES: The public hearing in Seattle will be held at the 
Headquarters of the Port of Seattle, Commissioners Chambers, Pier 69, 
2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington, The public hearing in Juneau 
will be held at Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska. The 
public hearing in Fort Lauderdale will be held at the Port Everglades 
Authority, Terminal 26, 2026 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
    Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety 
Council (G-LRA, 3406) [CGD 91-012], U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 
Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to 
room 3406 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-
1477. Comments on the collection-of-information requirements must be 
mailed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: 
Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.
    The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    A copy of the material listed under ``Incorporation by Reference'' 
in the preamble to the proposed rule is available for inspection at 
room 1108, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Mark O'Malley, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental 
Protection (G-MPS-3), Room 1108, (202) 267-0491, between 7 a.m. and 
3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 25, 1994, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (59 FR 14290) proposing to establish equipment standards, 
performance standards, and procedures for security against acts of 
terrorism on certain passenger vessels and associated passenger 
terminals. Passenger vessels of over 100 gross tons carrying more than 
12 passengers on voyages of over 24 hours on the high seas and the 
associated passenger terminals would have been affected. These rules 
appeared necessary because of a lack of voluntary compliance with 
measures of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) published in 
1986, or with these measures published as Coast Guard ``guidelines'' in 
1987.
    In response to requests for further time to file comments on the 
proposed rule, the Coast Guard is reopening the comment period through 
November 30, 1994. It is also holding three public hearings.

Written Comments

    The notice of proposed rulemaking published on March 25, 1994, 
invited and encouraged interested persons to participate in the 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, including views, data, and 
arguments, by June 23, 1994. Two organizations representing multiple 
members of the affected industry sought further time to file comments, 
citing both the need to assess current practices and compare them with 
the requirements in the proposed rule and the difficulty of preparing 
meaningful responses within the original 90-day comment period. Because 
of these requests, the comment period is reopened through November 30, 
1994.
    Comments should include the name and address of the person making 
them, identify this rulemaking [CGD 91-012] and the specific section of 
the proposed rule to which each comment applies, and give reasons for 
each comment. Anyone wishing an acknowledgment of receipt of comment 
should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard. The proposed rule 
may be changed in light of comments received. All comments received 
during the comment period will be considered before final action is 
taken on the proposed rule.

Public Hearing

    Several parties sought public hearings so they could present spoken 
comments. The proposed rule was responsive to the IMO's resolution in 
1986 concerning security of passenger vessels and associated passenger 
terminals. In their requests for public hearings, however, several 
parties alleged that the rule would have a significant, negative effect 
on the passenger vessel industry and that they could state their cases 
better orally than in writing. Public hearings will therefore be held 
on the dates and at the hours indicated above under DATES and at the 
sites indicated above under ADDRESSES.
    Interested persons are invited to participate in these hearings. 
Each person wishing to make an oral statement should register by 
Monday, September 12, 1994. Oral statements by any persons previously 
unregistered will be allowed only if time permits. The Coast Guard 
reserves the right to impose time limits on oral presentations. It also 
reserves the right to close parts of the meetings to enable candor in 
the treatment of security against acts of terrorism. To register, 
write, telefax, or call the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council 
(G-LRA, 3406) [CGD 91-012], U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001; telephone number (202) 267-1477, 
telefax number (202) 267-0506.

    Dated: August 31, 1994.
A.E. Henn,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commandant.
[FR Doc. 94-22029 Filed 9-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M