[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28067]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 30 and 32

[CGD 90-071]
RIN 2115-AD69

 

Tank Level or Pressure Monitoring Devices

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public meeting to discuss 
implementation of the provision in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 
90) which requires the establishment of minimum performance standards 
for tank level or pressure monitoring devices for tank vessels that 
carry oil. OPA 90 also requires the promulgation of regulations 
establishing, consistent with generally recognized principles of 
international law, requirements concerning the use of these devices. 
Public comment is sought with regard to both the establishment of 
minimum performance standards and the establishment of operating 
requirements for tank level and pressure monitoring devices for oil 
cargo tanks on tank vessels. The Coast Guard will hold the meeting to 
give the public an opportunity to comment and provide input to the 
development of this regulation.

DATES: The public meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on December 9, 1994. 
Written comments must be received by February 9, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in room 2415, Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.
    Persons who are unable to attend the public meeting may mail 
written comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-
LRA/3406) (CGD 90-071), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or deliver them to room 3406 at 
the same address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Persons submitting written comments should 
include their names and addresses, identify this notice (CGD 90-071) 
and give the 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 
acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randall N. Crenwelge, Project 
Manager, Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90) Staff (G-MS-A), (202) 267-6740. 
This number is equipped to record messages on a 24-hour basis. Anyone 
wishing to make a presentation is requested to call this number and 
give the following information: Docket number (CGD 90-071); name; 
company or organizational affiliation (if any); and the estimated 
amount of time needed for the presentation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this Notice are Mr. 
Randall N. Crenwelge, Project Manager, and Ms. Pam Pelcovits, Project 
Counsel, OPA 90 Staff, (G-MS-A).

Background and Discussion

    Section 4110(a) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) (Pub. L. 
101-380) (found at 46 U.S.C. 3703 note), directs the Secretary of 
Transportation to establish minimum standards for devices to warn of 
overfills, to determine levels of oil in cargo tanks, and to monitor 
the pressure of cargo oil tanks. In addition, section 4110(b) 
authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations 
establishing, consistent with generally recognized principles of 
international law, requirements concerning the use of overfill devices 
and tank level or pressure monitoring devices. This authority has been 
delegated to the Coast Guard (49 CFR 1.46).
    In order to solicit advance comments on minimum performance 
standards for tank level and pressure monitoring devices, which provide 
a means for leak detection, the Coast Guard published an advance notice 
of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register on May 7, 1991 
(56 FR 21116). (Overfill devices were the subject of a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published in the Federal Register on 
January 12, 1993 (58 FR 4040), and an Interim Final Rule (IFR) 
published in the Federal Register on October 21, 1994 (59 FR 53286).)

Technical Feasibility Study

    The Coast Guard commissioned a technical feasibility study, ``Tank 
Level Detection Devices for the Carriage of Oil,'' which was made 
available to the public on February 5, 1993 (58 FR 7292).
    The study found that a wide variety of liquid level sensing and 
pressure monitoring systems exists for both marine and shoreside 
applications. Several of these systems include the following 
components: Hydrostatic gauges, radar gauging measures, resistance 
tape, floats, ultrasonic systems, fiber optics, capacitance-actuated 
devices, and the electromagnetic level indication (EMLI) system. The 
study concluded that these systems' performance is significantly 
affected by the severity of their operating environment.
    The study discussed the wide variety of available liquid level 
detectors and pressure monitoring systems, and evaluated the 
performance of these sensors using both ideal and simulated shipboard 
conditions (e.g., environmental noise, ship motion, etc.). The effects 
of these conditions varied depending on the system used. In some 
circumstances, environmental noise was found to substantially degrade 
performance. The greatest variations were found to be caused by cargo 
sloshing while the ship was in transit.
    In view of these problems, the study found that ``attainable 
accuracy,'' the limit of cargo level change beyond which the crew could 
be confident that the signal indicates the existence of a leak, is 
within 1.0-2.0 percent of the actual level. On a 400,000 deadweight ton 
tanker (VLCC or very large crude carrier), this accuracy translates to 
the possible loss of from 36,075 to 72,150 gallons of oil before the 
device would sound an alarm. The Coast Guard is concerned that this 
represents insufficient warning to allow for prompt action by the crew.
    While the Coast Guard requested, in the ANPRM, comments concerning 
the ``attainable accuracy'' of these tank level and pressure monitoring 
devices under sloshing conditions and comments concerning the 
``attainable accuracy'' and performance of these devices when applied 
separately on inland vessels and vessels in ocean service, the public 
did not, at that time, have the benefit of seeing the study. Now that 
the study has been completed and made available to the public, the 
Coast Guard is interested in additional public comment on these issues. 
Further, the Coast Guard is interested in comments on whether there 
might exist alternative methods for achieving the goal of early and 
reliable leak detection at a reasonable cost.

Possible options

    In addition to establishing standards for and mandating the use of 
tank level and pressure monitoring devices, the Coast Guard might 
propose regulations providing for alternative compliance by utilizing 
float switches in empty void spaces beneath cargo tanks or by utilizing 
vapor detection systems in non-cargo spaces adjacent to the cargo 
tanks. Both float switches and vapor detection systems are proven, low 
cost technologies. The Coast Guard is interested in comments from the 
public regarding these possible alternative compliance techniques as 
well as others.
    Additionally, the Coast Guard is interested in comments regarding 
the following issues:
    1. To what extent should existing single-hull tankers be required 
to retrofit TLPM devices. Specific information on the costs and 
benefits of retrofitting leak detection devises on existing single hull 
tank vessels is sought.
    2. Whether the Coast Guard should consider excluding from the 
application of this rulemaking vessels designed to carry only small 
amounts of oil in bulk as cargo. If so, comments are solicited on what 
amount should be considered small.
    3. Whether application of the regulation should be limited to 
vessels carrying petroleum oil in bulk as cargo. While the United 
States generally, but not always, regulates all oils together, the 
international community regulates nonpetroleum oils separately.
    4. How the installation and use of leak detection devices on tank 
barges should be addressed. Many tank barges are unmanned and lack 
independent electrical systems. Thus, they may present unique 
challenges regarding leak detection.
    5. How the costs and benefits of this rulemaking should be 
calculated. The Coast Guard is interested in receiving specific 
comments on the potential costs and benefits of this regulation, 
particularly the impact of this regulation on small entities.
    Because of the potential impacts of this regulation, and the 
results of the Coast Guard's regulatory process review, which indicated 
that public meetings provide an excellent opportunity for valuable 
input at early stages of the development of regulations, the Coast 
Guard has decided to hold a public meeting at the time and place 
indicated in this notice.

    Dated: November 7, 1994.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 94-28067 Filed 11-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M