[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53727-53728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25715]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 187

[CGD 89-050]
RIN 2115-AD35


Vessel Identification System

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and notice of public 
hearings.

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SUMMARY: On April 25, 1995, the Coast Guard published an interim final 
rule (IFR) regarding the establishment of a vessel identification 
system. The IFR provided a 90-day comment period that closed on July 
24, 1995. The Coast Guard is reopening the comment period for an 
additional 75 days.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 31, 1995. Two 
public hearings will be held on November 13 and December 11, 1995, from 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of those days.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council, (G-LRA-2/3406) [CGD 89-050], 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. The Executive Secretary maintains the public 
docket for this rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket 
and will be available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. 
Coast Guard headquarters.
    The hearings will be held at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, room 
2415, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Richard Ferraro, Office of Marine Safety, Security and 
Environmental Protection, Information Resources Division (G-MIR), (202) 
267-0386.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views or arguments. Persons 
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identifying this 

[[Page 53728]]
rulemaking [CGD 89-050] and the specific section of the proposal or 
related documents to which each comment applies, 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.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments currently in the public 
docket, including comments received after the initial comment period 
was closed, and all additional comments received during this comment 
period. The rule may be changed in view of the comments.

Notice of Hearings

    The hearings will be open to the public. With advance notice, and 
at the Coast Guard's discretion, members of the public may make oral 
presentations during the hearings. Persons wishing to make oral 
presentations should notify the point of contact listed above under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, no later than the day before the hearing.

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are LCDR 
Richard Ferraro, Project Manager, Office of Marine Safety, Security and 
Environmental Protection and Nick Grasselli, Project Counsel, Office of 
Chief Counsel.

Background and Purpose

    On April 25, 1995, the Coast Guard published an IFR regarding the 
establishment of a vessel identification system (VIS) [60 FR 20310]. 
The VIS rule would establish a vessel identification system required by 
legislation, guidelines for State vessel titling systems, procedures 
for certifying compliance with those guidelines, and rules for 
participation in the VIS system for undocumented vessels. The Coast 
Guard has received two requests to reopen the comment period and 
recognizes the value of information obtainable from interested parties. 
Therefore, the Coast Guard is reopening the comment period and 
scheduling hearings in order to encourage meaningful participation by 
all interested parties.

    Dated: October 11, 1995.
G.N. Naccara,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 95-25715 Filed 10-16-95; 8:45 am]
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