[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33185-33186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15758]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 140 through 147

[CGD 95-016]


Outer Continental Shelf Activities

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is considering amending its regulations on 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities. Possible amendments may 
include improvements to the personnel safety regulations for fixed OCS 
facilities, new regulations governing the operation of mobile inland 
drilling units (MIDUs) on the OCS, and an alignment of the requirements 
for foreign vessels engaged in OCS activities with those for U.S. 
vessels similarly engaged. The Coast Guard requests comments on these 
as well as other subjects related to OCS activities.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 25, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 95-016), 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.
    The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this 
project. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James M. Magill, Offshore Activities Branch, (202) 267-2307.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Submission of Comments

    Persons submitting comments should include their names and 
addresses, identify this project (CGD 95-016), 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 stamped, self-addressed postcards or 
envelopes.
    The Coast Guard plans no public meeting. Persons may request a 
public meeting by writing to the Marine Safety Council at the address 
under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a meeting 
would be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for oral 
presentations will aid this project, the Coast Guard will hold a public 
meeting at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal 
Register.

Discussion of Project

    The Coast Guard is considering revising its regulations on Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) activities (33 CFR parts 140 through 147) to 
address new developments in the offshore industry; to implement, more 
fully, existing legislation and interagency agreements; and to respond 
to recommendations from previous requests for comments and from 
casualty investigations. The major areas under consideration include 
workplace safety and health, design and equipment, lifesaving 
equipment, fire protection, and operations, particularly on fixed OCS 
facilities. One concept [[Page 33186]] under review is the alignment of 
the requirements applicable to foreign vessels engaged in OCS 
activities with those applicable to U.S. vessels similarly engaged. 
Also, the Coast Guard is considering regulations for mobile inland 
drilling units (MIDUs). Under current Coast Guard policy, MIDUs are 
allowed to operate on the OCS out to a defined boundary line if they 
meet requirements for lifesaving, firefighting, and operations similar 
to those for fixed OCS facilities.
    Comments are requested on these and other subjects related to 
safety on the OCS. After review of the comments, the Coast Guard will 
determine whether to go forward with this project. If the Coast Guard 
decides to go forward, it will publish an NPRM in a later issue of the 
Federal Register for review and comment by the public.

    Dated: June 15, 1995.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 95-15758 Filed 6-26-95; 8:45 am]
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