[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31602-31606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14553]




[[Page 31601]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





Department of Transportation





_______________________________________________________________________



Coast Guard



_______________________________________________________________________



46 CFR Parts 67, 68, and 69



Centralization of Vessel Documentation Offices; Final Rule



_______________________________________________________________________

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 115 / Thursday, June 15, 1995 / Rules 
and Regulations  
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[[Page 31602]] 


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 67, 68, and 69

[CGD 95-014]
RIN 2115-AF05


Centralization of Vessel Documentation Offices

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule revokes the designation of 14 ports as ports of 
record for vessel documentation, and reflects that the Coast Guard has 
moved the performance of all vessel documentation services to the 
National Vessel Documentation Center. The centralization of vessel 
documentation services will permit the Coast Guard to provide more 
efficient and effective service to the public by enhancing uniformity, 
specialization, and expertise. A centralized vessel documentation 
office will also enable the Coast Guard to operate within budgetary 
constraints in concert with efforts to reduce the Federal Budget.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on August 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to 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., room 3406, 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: Lieutenant Commander Don M. Wrye, 
Vessel Documentation and Tonnage Survey Branch, (202) 267-1492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are 
Lieutenant Commander Don M. Wrye, Project Manager, and Lieutenant R. 
Goldberg, Project Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel.

Regulatory Information

    This rule is being published as a final rule without being preceded 
by a notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for comment. This 
rule addresses matters of internal Coast Guard organization and 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is exempt from the requirement to publish a 
general notice of proposed rulemaking. Since this rule addresses 
matters of agency organization, public comment would not be beneficial 
to the rulemaking process. Notwithstanding the fact that the subject 
matter of this rule--centralization of vessel documentation services--
is a matter of agency organization, the Coast Guard did conduct a 
series of public meetings in September through November 1994, in which 
it announced to the public its plans for the consolidation of existing 
vessel documentation offices. For these reasons, under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B) the Coast Guard for good cause finds that notice, and public 
procedure on the notice, before the effective date of this rule are 
unnecessary. The effective date of this final rule, August 1, 1995, is 
the date that the National Vessel Documentation Center will open and 
the date that the regional vessel documentation offices will close.
Background and Purpose

    Documentation of vessels under Federal law acts as a national 
registration system which, among other things, serves to establish a 
vessel's nationality and qualification to be employed in a specified 
trade. A Certificate of Documentation serves as evidence of 
nationality. One or more endorsements on a vessel's Certificate of 
Documentation is evidence of that vessel's qualification to engage in a 
specified trade. The Coast Guard is the agency responsible for issuing 
Certificates of Documentation to eligible vessels. When a vessel owner 
applies for documentation, the Coast Guard determines whether the 
vessel is eligible for documentation generally, and whether it is 
eligible specifically for the endorsement or endorsements requested. 
Since July 1982, the Coast Guard's vessel documentation regulations 
have permitted applications to be submitted by mail. Today, most vessel 
documentation transactions are conducted in this manner.
    The Coast Guard began consolidating its vessel documentation field 
offices in July 1983. That early effort resulted in the formation of 15 
regional vessel documentation offices. One of those regional offices 
was closed in 1992, leaving the current 14 offices. During September 
through November 1994, the Coast Guard conducted a series of public 
meetings held at various locations to announce the further 
consolidation of its vessel documentation functions. In those meetings, 
the Coast Guard announced the availability of its implementation plan 
for centralization and sought input from the public on methods to make 
a centralized vessel documentation office operate more efficiently.
    One of the suggestions which developed from those public meetings 
was the notion of permitting certain instruments to be submitted by 
facsimile for filing purposes. That suggestion has been developed into 
a separate rulemaking project. A notice of proposed rulemaking amending 
the Coast Guard's vessel documentation regulations to permit various 
instruments to be submitted by facsimile for filing purposes, and 
explaining the procedures for facsimile submission, was published in 
the Federal Register on February 6, 1995 (60 FR 12188). After 
completion of the consolidation effort, the Coast Guard will continue 
to review its vessel documentation procedures with a view toward 
further efforts to streamline the process.

Discussion of Regulations

    In various locations in 46 CFR parts 67, 68, and 69, references are 
made to the ``port of documentation,'' to the ``port of record,'' to 
variations of ``the documentation officer at the port where application 
for documentation is made,'' and to the ``documentation office nearest 
where the vessel is located.'' With consolidation of the regional 
vessel documentation offices into one location, these references are no 
longer relevant. Therefore, all of these various references, wherever 
they appear, are being replaced with an appropriate reference to the 
National Vessel Documentation Center. Those sections requiring 
submission of materials to Commandant (G-MVI-5) for decision have also 
been amended to direct submission of the materials to the Manager, 
National Vessel Documentation Center. While most of the sections 
affected are being amended with the simple removal and addition of 
certain words, a few sections required revision to maintain 
readability. In addition, the definitions of ``Commandant'', ``Port of 
documentation'', and ``Port of record'' in Sec. 67.3 are removed, and a 
definition and address for the ``National Vessel Documentation Center'' 
is added. No substantive changes are made to the regulations.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under that 
order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and 
procedures of [[Page 31603]] the Department of Transportation (DOT)(44 
FR 11040; February 26, 1979).
    The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the 
regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. Currently, 
most vessel documentation transactions are conducted by mail. 
Therefore, the primary effect of this rule upon the affected public 
will be that vessel documentation materials will now be mailed to the 
National Vessel Documentation Center rather than a regional vessel 
documentation office. Furthermore, the consolidation will permit the 
Coast Guard to implement aggressive management measures, including the 
internal shifting of documentation resources to address potential 
backlogs, the use of office automation technology, and the expansion of 
electronic submission of documentation materials, to further minimize 
any economic impact.
Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider the economic impact on small entities of a 
rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking is required. 
``Small entities'' may include (1) small businesses and not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields and (2) governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000. This rule does not require a general 
notice of proposed rulemaking and, therefore, is exempt from the 
requirements of the Act.
    Although this rule is exempt, the Coast Guard has reviewed it for 
potential impact on small entities. The Coast Guard is mindful that a 
number of vessel documentation transactions submitted to it are 
submitted by vessel documentation services that qualify as small 
business entities. With these entities specifically in mind, the Coast 
Guard conducted a series of public meetings during September through 
November 1994. These public meetings were held at various locations 
around the country, primarily in port cities where a Coast Guard 
regional vessel documentation office was located, so that attendance 
would be convenient. The purpose of these meetings was to announce the 
pending consolidation of vessel documentation functions. In those 
meetings, the Coast Guard also sought input from the public, 
particularly lending institutions and small business entity vessel 
documentation services, on methods to make a centralized vessel 
documentation office operate more efficiently, with emphasis on the 
delivery of services. One of the suggestions which developed from those 
public meetings was the notion of permitting certain instruments to be 
submitted by facsimile for filing purposes. That suggestion developed 
into a rulemaking project and will be in place when the National Vessel 
Documentation Center opens for business. Other suggestions referred to 
the elimination of delays between the time of submission of 
documentation materials and the delivery of the related service.
    Most of the small business entity vessel documentation services 
deal largely with recreational vessels. These kinds of vessels tend to 
be concentrated in certain locations. As a result, some of the regional 
documentation offices were required to service large recreational 
vessel fleets, while other offices had a much smaller number of 
recreational vessels in their fleet of responsibility. In those ports 
with large recreational vessel fleets, service backlogs developed. 
Through use of an aggressive backlog management program, these backlogs 
have been eliminated.
    With consolidation will come a number of benefits that will assist 
the Coast Guard to better manage its work flow. No longer will one 
port, with limited personnel resources, have to service a recreational 
vessel fleet that may be many times larger than that serviced by 
another port. The consolidation of all vessel documentation billets in 
the Coast Guard will permit documentation materials submitted from all 
areas of the country to be handled in one workflow process. The 
economies of scale that will be achieved, the ability to shift internal 
resources to meet fluctuations in work, the application of office 
automation technology, and the ability to establish consistent work 
practices will address the concerns of the small business entity vessel 
documentation services. As a result, the Coast Guard's position is that 
this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 
section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This 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 rule under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule 
and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2 of Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lB, as revised (59 FR 38654; July 29, 1994), this rule is 
categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. This 
rule has been determined to be categorically excluded because the 
changes made to the regulations are administrative in nature and 
clearly 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 67

    Fees, Incorporation by reference, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Vessels.

46 CFR Part 68

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels.

46 CFR Part 69

    Measurement standards, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Vessels.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 46 
CFR parts 67, 68, and 69 as follows:
PART 67--[Amended]
    1. The authority citation for part 67 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 14 U.S.C. 664; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 9118; 46 
U.S.C. 2103, 2107, 2110; 46 U.S.C. app. 841a, 876; 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. Section 67.3 is amended by removing the note following the 
definition ``Commandant'', removing the definitions ``Port of 
documentation'' and ``Port of record'', and adding in alphabetical 
order the definition ``National Vessel Documentation Center'' to read 
as follows:


Sec. 67.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    National Vessel Documentation Center means the organizational unit 
designated by the Commandant to process vessel documentation 
transactions and maintain vessel documentation records. The address is: 
[[Page 31604]] National Vessel Documentation Center, 2039 Stonewall 
Jackson Drive, Falling Waters, WV 25419.
* * * * *


Sec. 67.15  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 67.15, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer with whom the application is filed'' and adding 
in their place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''.


Sec. 67.63  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 67.63, paragraph (b)(1) is amended by removing the word 
``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words ``Manager, National 
Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.89  [Amended]

    5. In Sec. 67.89, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port where application for 
documentation, exchange, or redocumentation is made'' and adding in 
their place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''.


Sec. 67.101  [Amended]

    6. In Sec. 67.101, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port where application for documentation 
is made'' and adding in their place the words ``Manager, National 
Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.111  [Amended]

    7. In Sec. 67.111, paragraph (a) introductory text is amended by 
removing the words ``documentation officer at the port of record of the 
vessel assigned in accordance with Sec. 67.115, or the documentation 
office nearest where the vessel is located,'' and adding in their place 
the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (b) is 
amended by removing the words ``documentation officer at the port where 
application for documentation is made'' and adding in their place the 
words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.113  [Amended]

    8. In Sec. 67.113, paragraph (e) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port of record of the vessel'' and 
adding in their place the words ``National Vessel Documentation 
Center''.


Sec. 6.117  [Removed]

    9. Section 67.115 is removed.
    10. In Sec. 67.117, paragraph (a) introductory text is amended by 
removing the words ``documentation officer at the port of record of the 
vessel assigned in accordance with Sec. 67.115, or the documentation 
office nearest where the vessel is located'' and adding in their place 
the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (c) is 
amended by removing the words ``documentation officer at the port where 
application for name change is made'' and adding in their place the 
words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.
    11. In Sec. 67.119, paragraphs (d) and (e) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 67.119  Hailing port designation.
* * * * *
    (d) The Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center has final 
authority to settle disputes as to the propriety of the hailing port 
designated.
    (e) Until such time as the vessel owner elects to designate a new 
hailing port, the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section do not 
apply to vessels which were issued a Certificate of Documentation 
before July 1, 1982.
    12. Section 67.130 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 67.130  Submission of applications.

    All applications made under this subpart and all subsequent filings 
to effect documentation, except as provided in Sec. 67.133(b), must be 
submitted to the National Vessel Documentation Center.


Sec. 67.133  [Amended]

    13. In Sec. 67.133, the introductory text of paragraph (a) and 
paragraph (a)(1) are amended by removing the word ``Commandant'' and 
adding in its place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''; paragraph (b) is amended by removing the word ``Commandant's 
determination'' and adding in their place the words ``determination of 
the Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''; the note following 
the section is amended by removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding 
in its place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''.


Sec. 67.141  [Amended]

    14. In Sec. 67.141, paragraph (a) introductory text is amended by 
removing the words ``documentation officer at the port of record of the 
vessel assigned in accordance with Sec. 67.115 or at the documentation 
office nearest where the vessel is located'' and adding in their place 
the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.145  [Amended]

    15. In Sec. 67.145, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the 
reference ``67.167(b) (1) through (6)'' and adding in its place the 
reference ``67.167(b) (1) through (5)''; paragraph (c) is amended by 
removing the words ``documentation officer at the port where 
application for exchange is made'' and adding in their place the words 
``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (d) is removed.


Sec. 67.147  [Amended]

    16. Section 67.147 and the note following the section are removed.


Sec. 67.149  [Amended]

    17. In Sec. 67.149, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``port of record of the vessel'' and adding in their place the words 
``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.151  [Amended]

    18. In Sec. 67.151, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``Commandant, via the documentation officer at the port of record of 
the vessel assigned in accordance with Sec. 67.115, or at the 
documentation office nearest where the vessel is located'' and adding 
in their place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''; paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words ``Commandant's 
finding'' and adding in their place the words ``finding of the Manager, 
National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.163  [Amended]

    19. In Sec. 67.163, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at any port of documentation'' and adding in 
their place the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.165  [Amended]

    20. In Sec. 67.165, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the vessel's port of record assigned in 
accordance with Sec. 67.115'' and adding in their place the words 
``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (b) introductory 
text is amended by removing the words ``documentation officer at the 
vessel's port of record'' and adding in their place the words 
``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.167  [Amended]

    21. In Sec. 67.167, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port of record of the vessel assigned in 
accordance with Sec. 67.115 or at the documentation office nearest 
where the vessel is located'' and adding in their place the words 
``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (b)(3) is removed 
and paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(7) are redesignated as 
[[Page 31605]] paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(6), respectively.


Sec. 67.169  [Amended]

    22. In Sec. 67.169, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer to whom application is made'' and adding in 
their place the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.171  [Amended]

    23. In Sec. 67.171, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``any documentation officer'' and adding in their place the words ``the 
National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (d) is amended by 
removing the words ``vessel's port of record'' and adding in their 
place the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.173  [Amended]

    24. Section 67.173 is amended by removing the words ``Commandant or 
a documentation officer'' and adding in their place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center'', by removing the 
words ``to a documentation officer at any port of documentation'' and 
adding in their place the words ``to the National Vessel Documentation 
Center'', and by removing the note at the end of the section.


Sec. 67.175  [Amended]

    25. In Sec. 67.175, paragraph (b) introductory text is amended by 
removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.177  [Amended]

    26. In Sec. 67.177, paragraph (b) introductory text is amended by 
removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.203  [Amended]

    27. In Sec. 67.203, paragraph (a)(2) is amended by removing the 
words ``at the port where the filing is made'' and adding in their 
place the words ``to the National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.211  [Amended]

    28. In Sec. 67.211, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``all Coast Guard documentation offices'' and adding in their place the 
words ``the National Vessel Documentation Center''.
    29. Section 67.213 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 67.213  Place of filing and recording.
    (a) All instruments submitted for filing and recording must be 
submitted to the National Vessel Documentation Center.
    (b) All instruments are recorded at the National Vessel 
Documentation Center.


Sec. 67.215  [Amended]

    30. In Sec. 67.215, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port of documentation where submitted 
for filing'' and adding in their place the words ``National Vessel 
Documentation Center''; paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer at the port of documentation where the original 
instrument was filed'' and adding in their place the words ``National 
Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.217  [Amended]

    31. In Sec. 67.217, paragraph (b) introductory text is amended by 
removing the words ``documentation officer at the port where the filing 
was made'' and adding in their place the words ``Manager, National 
Vessel Documentation Center''.
    32. Subpart T is revised to read as follows:

Subpart T--Abstracts of Title and Certificates of Ownership

Sec.
67.301  Issuance of Abstract of Title.
67.303  Issuance of Certificate of Ownership.


Sec. 67.301  Issuance of Abstract of Title.

    Any person may request the National Vessel Documentation Center to 
issue a General Index or Abstract of Title (form CG-1332) for a vessel.


Sec. 67.303  Issuance of Certificate of Ownership.

    Any person may request the National Vessel Documentation Center to 
issue a Certificate of Ownership (form CG-1330) for a vessel.


Sec. 67.313  [Amended]

    33. In Sec. 67.313, paragraph (b)(2) is amended by removing the 
words ``a documentation officer'' and adding in their place the words 
``the National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.315  [Amended]

    34. In Sec. 67.315, paragraph (b)(2) is amended by removing the 
words ``a documentation officer'' and adding in their place the words 
``the National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.319  [Amended]

    35. Section 67.319 is amended by removing the words ``a 
documentation officer at any port of documentation'' and adding in 
their place the words ``the National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.32  [Amended]

    36. Section 67.321 is amended by removing the words ``documentation 
officer at the port of record of the vessel'' and adding in their place 
the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 67.500  [Amended]

    37. In Sec. 67.500, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``or renewal is at a port other than the port of record''; paragraph 
(d) is amended by removing the words ``Commandant (G-MVI)'' and adding 
in its place the words ``Manager, National Vessel Documentation 
Center''.


Sec. 67.515  [Removed]

    38. Section 67.515 is removed and reserved.


Sec. 67.550  [Amended]

    39. In Sec. 67.550, Table 67.550 is amended by removing the entry 
``Renewal at port other than port of record'' under the category 
``Applications:'' in the ``Activity'' column, by removing the 
corresponding entry ``Subpart L'' in the ``Reference'' column, and by 
removing the corresponding entry ``15.00'' in the ``Fee'' column.


Appendix A to Part 67  [Amended]

    40. Appendix A to Part 67.--Ports of Documentation is removed.

PART 68--[AMENDED]

    41. The authority citation for part 68 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103; 49 CFR 1.46. Subpart 68.01 also 
issued under 46 U.S.C. app. 876; subpart 68.05 also issued under 46 
U.S.C. 12106(d).


Sec. 68.01-7  [Amended]

    42. In Sec. 68.01-5, paragraphs (a) and (b) are amended by removing 
the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words ``Manager, 
National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 65.01-7  [Amended]

    43. In Sec. 68.01-7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) are amended by 
removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.


Sec. 68.01-9  [Amended]

    44. In Sec. 68.01-9, paragraphs (a) and (b) are amended by removing 
the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words ``Manager, 
National Vessel Documentation Center''.
    45. Section 68.01-17 is revised to read as follows: [[Page 31606]] 


Sec. 68.01-17  Application by an 883-1 corporation to document a 
vessel.

    (a) An application by an 883-1 corporation to document a vessel 
must comply with the applicable requirements in subparts A, D, E, F, G, 
H, I, K, and L of part 67 of this chapter.
    (b) An application by an 883-1 corporation to document a vessel 
must include a copy of the Certificate of Compliance issued under 
Sec. 68.01-5.


Sec. 68.05-11  [Amended]

    46. In Sec. 68.05-11, paragraphs (a) and (b) are amended by 
removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (c) is 
amended by removing the words ``documentation officer where application 
is made'' and adding in their place the words ``National Vessel 
Documentation Center''; paragraph (d) is amended by removing the words 
``documentation officer where application is made'' and adding in their 
place the words ``National Vessel Documentation Center''; paragraph (e) 
is removed.


Sec. 68.05-13  [Amended]

    47. In Sec. 68.05-13, paragraphs (a) and (b) are amended by 
removing the word ``Commandant'' and adding in its place the words 
``Manager, National Vessel Documentation Center''.

PART 69--[AMENDED]

    48. The authority citation for part 69 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2301, 14103; 49 CFR 1.46.

    49. Section 69.9 is amended by adding in alphabetical order the 
definition ``National Vessel Documentation Center'' to read as follows:
Sec. 69.9  Definitions.

* * * * *
    National Vessel Documentation Center means the organizational unit 
designated by the Commandant to process vessel documentation 
transactions and maintain vessel documentation records. The address can 
be found in Sec. 67.3 of this subchapter.
* * * * *


Sec. 69.15  [Amended]

    50. In Sec. 69.15, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``any Coast Guard documentation office'' and adding in their place the 
words ``the National Vessel Documentation Center''.
    51. In Sec. 69.55, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 69.55  Application for measurement services.

* * * * *
    (b) Vessel's name and official number (if assigned).
* * * * *
    52. In Sec. 69.105, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 69.105  Application for measurement services.

* * * * *
    (b) Vessel's name and official number (if assigned).
* * * * *
    53. Section 69.205 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 69.205  Application for measurement services.

    To apply for measurement under the Simplified Measurement System, 
the owner of the vessel must complete either an Application for 
Simplified Measurement (form CG-5397), or a Builder's Certification and 
First Transfer of Title (form CG-1261) which has the information in 
Part III ``Dimensions'' completed, and submit it to the National Vessel 
Documentation Center.

    Dated: May 26, 1995.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 95-14553 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-P