[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2726-2727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-646]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 80

[WT Docket No. 94-153; FCC 94-328]


Designate Prince William Sound as a Radio Protection Area for 
Mandatory Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has proposed rules to add Prince William Sound 
to the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) designated radio 
protection areas for mandatory VTS and establish marine VHF Channel 11 
as the VTS frequency for Prince William Sound. This action is in 
response to a request from the Coast Guard. The designation of Prince 
William Sound as a VTS area will allow the Coast Guard to manage vessel 
traffic in a more efficient manner.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 24, 1995; reply 
comments on or before March 13, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Shaffer, (202) 418-0680, Private Radio Bureau.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Proposed Rule Making FCC 94-328, adopted December 16, 1994, and 
released January 3, 1995. The full text of this Notice of Proposed Rule 
Making is available for inspection and copying during normal business 
hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room 230, 1919 M. Street, NW., 
Washington, DC. The complete text may be purchased from the 
Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., 2100 M Street, Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, telephone (202) 
857-3800.

Summary of Notice of Proposed Rule Making

    1. The Coast Guard filed a petition (RM-8199), Public Notice No. 
1932, requesting that the Commission amend Part 80 of the Rules, 47 CFR 
part 80, to add Prince William Sound to the Coast Guard designated 
radio protection areas for mandatory VTS and establish marine VHF 
Channel 11 (156.550 MHz) as the VTS frequency for Prince William Sound.
    2. As a result of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-380, 
104 Stat. 484, the Coast Guard plans to implement a mandatory Automated 
Dependent Surveillance (ADS) system for cargo ships, e.g. oil tankers, 
that operate in Prince William Sound. The ADS will operate as part of 
the proposed VTS system and is scheduled to begin operation in July 
1994. An ADS system works as follows: the vessel determines its 
position using a highly accurate differential GPS receiver and 
automatically transmits its position, identification and the time of 
the position to the Coast Guard using digital selective calling (DSC) 
techniques on VHF marine Channel 70 (156.515 MHz). The Coast Guard 
needs Channel 11 to supplement Channel 70 ADS use and for voice VTS 
communications in support of vessel traffic control operations.
    3. Designating Prince William Sound as a VTS area will allow the 
Coast Guard to manage vessel traffic in that area more efficiently and 
protect the marine environment by preventing vessel collisions and 
groundings. We are proposing, therefore, to add Prince William Sound to 
the Commission's list of designated radio protection areas for VTS 
systems specified in Section 80.383. The radio protection area will be 
defined as ``The rectangle between North latitudes 61 degrees 17 
minutes and 59 degrees 22 minutes and West longitudes 149 degrees 39 
minutes and 145 degrees 36 minutes.''

[[Page 2727]]

    4. Additionally, we propose to permit private coast stations 
currently authorized to operate on Channel 11 within the proposed 
Prince William Sound VTS area to continue operation until the end of 
their current license terms on a noninterference basis. The staff will 
help affected licensees find suitable alternative channels. No fee will 
be charged for affected stations that apply for modification for an 
alternative channel before their next renewals.
    5. We certify that the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 does not 
apply to this rule making proceeding because if the proposed rule 
amendments are promulgated, there will not be a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities, as defined 
by Section 601(3) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The change 
proposed herein will have a beneficial effect on the marine community 
by allowing the Coast Guard to manage vessel traffic in the Prince 
William Sound area in a more efficient manner. The Secretary shall send 
a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rule Making, including the 
certification, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration in accordance with paragraph 605(b) of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. Secs. 601-612 
(1980).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 80

    Communications equipment, Marine Safety.

Federal Communication Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-646 Filed 1-10-95; 8:45 am]
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