[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15438-15439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8352]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
46 CFR Parts 10, 12, and 15

[CGD 95-062]
RIN 2115-AF26


Implementation of 1995 Amendments to the International Convention 
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
1978 (STCW)

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard plans to hold three public meetings to solicit 
input from the maritime industry and from the public at large 
concerning the proposed changes to current domestic rules on licensing, 
documentation, and manning in compliance with recent amendments to the 
STCW. The amendments were adopted by a Conference of Parties to STCW in 
July 1995, and will come into force on February 1, 1997. Some changes 
to domestic rules must come into force before then to ensure these 
rules conform to international requirements, and other changes may come 
into force to allow a more gradual shift in practice. The proposed 
changes would affect the full range of activities associated with 
determining that an individual is competent for serving in certain 
shipboard capacities.

DATES: The meetings will be held May 8, 14, and 23, 1996, from 9:30 
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Comments must be submitted by July 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The May 8, 1996, meeting will be held at the New Orleans 
Airport Hilton, 901 Airline Highway, Kenner, Louisiana 70062. The May 
14, 1996, meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce, Bldg. 9, 
Auditorium, NOAA Western Regional Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, 
Seattle, Washington 98115. The May 23, 1996, meeting will be held at 
the Department of Transportation, Nassif Building, Room 6200, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.
    Written comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA), 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. Comments will become part of this docket [CGD 
95-062] and will be available for inspection or copying at room 3406, 
Coast Guard Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    A copy of the 1995 Amendments to STCW may be obtained by writing 
Commandant (G-MOS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or by calling (202) 267-0229, between 8 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
Requests may also be submitted by facsimile at (202) 267-4570. For 
additional information or to obtain a copy of the STCW notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) [61 FR 13284], published on March 26, 1996, 
contact Mr. Christopher Young, Operating and Environmental Standards 
Division (G-MOS), 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, 
telephone (202) 267-0216 or fax (202) 267-4570.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James W. Cratty, Project Facilitator, Standards, Evaluation, and 
Development Division (G-MES), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20593-0001, at (202) 267-6742 for public meeting 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Discussion

    On July 7, 1995, a Conference of Parties to the International 
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers, 1978 (STCW), meeting at the International Maritime 
Organization in London, adopted a package of amendments to STCW. The 
amendments will enter into force on February 1, 1997, unless a third of 
the parties to the Convention, or parties representing over 50 percent 
of the world's shipping tons, object to them by August 1, 1996. Because 
they were adopted unanimously by the Conference, no objections are 
expected. Consequently, the Coast Guard is taking necessary steps to 
implement them, and to ensure that U.S. documents and licenses are 
issued in compliance with them.
    On August 31, 1995, the Coast Guard held a public meeting announced 
at [60 FR 39306; August 2, 1995] to discuss the outcome of the 
Conference and seek public comment on how the 1995 Amendments to STCW, 
adopted by the Conference, should be implemented. The meeting also 
provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the steps that the 
Coast Guard considers necessary to carry out the requirements of STCW 
as amended.
    In addition, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Inquiry (NI) on 
November 13, in the Federal Register [60 FR 56970]. The purpose of the 
NI was to seek information that may be useful in calculating costs and 
benefits of implementing the 1995 Amendments to the STCW.

[[Page 15439]]

    On March 26, 1996, the Coast Guard published the NPRM in which it 
proposed changes to the current domestic rules on licensing, 
documentation, and manning in compliance with 1995 Amendments to the 
1978 STCW. The NPRM invites comments on or before July 24, 1996.
    Persons needing the assistance of sign language interpretation at 
the meetings should notify the person listed above under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible so that arrangements may be 
made to provide the necessary assistance.
    Attendance is open to the public. With advance notice, and as time 
permits, members of the public may make oral presentations during the 
meetings. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify the 
person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 
48 hours before the meeting. Written material may be submitted before, 
during, or after the meetings. Persons unable to attend the public 
meetings are encouraged to submit written comments as outlined in the 
NPRM prior to July 24, 1996.

    Dated: March 29, 1996.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director for Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection 
Directorate.
[FR Doc. 96-8352 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M