[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27758]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 9, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 216

                                        Wednesday, November 9, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 181

[CGD 92-065]
RIN 2115-AE37

 

Expanded Hull Identification Number and New Requirements for 
Certificates of Origin

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of workshop and reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published May 6, 
1994, the Coast Guard proposed amendments to the regulations concerning 
vessel Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) and new regulations requiring 
Certificates of Origin for new vessels offered for sale in the United 
States. Comments were required to be received by September 6, 1994. The 
Coast Guard has received comments from various parties opposing the 
proposed 19 character HIN and one comment from an association seeking 
an extension of the comment period. This notice announces a workshop to 
discuss the proposed expanded HIN, and reopens the comment period on 
this rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 1995. The 
Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 
1994 in room 2415 at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. 
Individuals wishing to make oral presentations at the workshop should 
contact Mr. Alston Colihan, as further explained under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION, at least ten days before the workshop.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD92-065), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 
2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered 
to room 3406 at the above address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 
267-1477. Comments on collection of information must be mailed also 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. Requests to make presentations at the 
workshop should be sent to COMMANDANT (G-NAB-6), room 1505, U.S. Coast 
Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001, 
Attn: Mr. Alston Colihan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Alston Colihan, Auxiliary, Boating, and Consumer Affairs Division, 
(202) 267-0981.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

     The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written views, data, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their name and address, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD 92-065) and the specific section of the 
proposal to which each comment applies, and give a reason for each 
comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments in an 
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgement of 
receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-address postcards or 
envelopes.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. All comments received after the close of the initial 
comment period and before the reopening of the comment period will also 
be considered. The Coast Guard may change the proposal in view of the 
comments.

Background Information

    The NPRM published May 6, 1994 (59 FR 23651), proposed to expand 
the existing 12 character HIN to 19 characters. The additional seven 
characters would indicate the country code, vessel length, hull 
materials, principal means of propulsion, vessel type and a check digit 
to make alteration of an HIN more difficult.
    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviews each proposed rule that 
contains a collection of information requirement to determine whether 
the practical value of the information is worth the burden imposed by 
its collection. Collection of information requirements include 
reporting, recordkeeping, notification, labeling and other, similar 
requirements. Both OMB and the Coast Guard have received a number of 
comments opposing a 19 character HIN because of the information 
collection burdens that would be imposed, particularly with the 
calculation of the check digit. When using simple arithmetic, those 
calculations may take as long as 15 minutes per vessel. Some States are 
also opposed to a 19 character HIN because of significant costs to 
adapt computers and computer programs for State vessels registration 
and numbering systems to 19 characters. In consideration of these 
comments, the Coast Guard is conducting a workshop to solicit 
additional comments from the public and to serve as an open forum for 
discussing the proposed HIN regulations. The workshop will explore 
various alternatives to a 19 character HIN.
    The NPRM also proposed to require that manufacturers issue 
Certificates of Origin for new vessels offered for sale in the United 
States. The workshop will not include a discussion of those proposed 
requirements. Due to limited time, and in an effort to ensure that the 
workshop is as productive as possible, discussion will be strictly 
limited to the issues raised by the proposed expansion of the HIN.

Workshop Format

    The workshop format will consist of presentations by a panel, 
followed by discussions and a question and answer period. The workshop 
is open to the public, however, due to limited time, the Coast Guard 
will limit the number and duration of panel presentations. Panelists 
will be allowed seven minutes to make their presentation. The Coast 
Guard will select panel members in a manner designed to ensure the 
broadest possible representation of viewpoints. The Coast Guard 
specifically solicits representatives of the following groups to 
participate in the workshop as panelists:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
The National Marine Manufacturers Association
The American Boat and Yacht Council
The National Association of Marine Investigators
The North American Paddlesports Association

    Those wishing to participate as a panel member and give an oral 
presentation should submit their name, address, telephone number, 
organization represented (if any), and provide a summation of their 
presentation at least ten days prior to the workshop, as directed under 
ADDRESSES. Individuals selected to be panelists will be notified by the 
Coast Guard. Any changes in the location or time of the workshop will 
be announced in the Federal Register.

    Dated: November 3, 1994.
G. A. Pennington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and 
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-27758 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]
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