[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 178 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48202-48203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23366]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 96-044]


Documentation and Marine Safety for an International, Private-
Sector Tug of Opportunity System

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is conducting a public meeting to receive 
views on the documentation and marine safety criteria to be used in 
assessing a private-sector initiated, international, tug of opportunity 
system plan.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 17, 1996, from 9 
a.m. until 5 p.m. Written statements and requests to make oral 
presentations should reach the Coast Guard on or before October 10, 
1996. Other comments should reach the Coast Guard on or before October 
30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held on the fourth floor North 
Auditorium, Jackson Federal Building, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, 
Washington. Written materials may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, 
Marine Safety Council (G-LRA), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the 
same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant W. M. Pittman, Office of Response (G-MOR-1), telephone (202) 
267-0426, fax (202) 267-4085. The telephone number is equipped to 
record messages on a 24-hour basis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Power Administration Asset Sale 
and Termination Act (Pub. L. 104-58) was signed into law on November 
28, 1995. A Presidential directive and subsequent DOT Action Plan 
requires the Coast Guard to assess and provide a report to Congress on 
the most cost effective means of implementing a private-sector 
initiated, international, tug of opportunity system for vessels in 
distress operating within the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary 
and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A system plan will be considered at 
future public meetings once available.

Agenda of Meeting

    The agenda includes the following:

Documentation

    (1) Core concepts.
    (2) Organizational and functional structure.
    (3) Technology issues.
    (4) Communications.
    (5) Tracking vessels.
    (6) Tug issues.
    (7) Other equipment.
    (8) Crew qualifications to crew a system tug.
    (9) Crew training to meet qualifications.
    (10) Testing requirements for crew.
    (11) Certification of qualified crew.
    (12) Legal requirements which should be addressed.
    (13) Fiscal administration which should be addressed.

Marine Safety

    (1) Concept of tug of opportunity.
    (2) Calling area description.
    (3) Calling fleet description.
    (4) Risk.

[[Page 48203]]

    (5) Definition of accident.
    (6) Likely accident locations.
    (7) Events with potential for significant impacts.
    (8) Areas with most significant impacts of accident.
    (9) Potential utility of tugs.
    (10) Two means to save.
    (11) Tug criteria.
    (12) Define adequate assist vessel.
    (13) Use of coverage approach.
    (14) Tug equipment.
    (15) Crew criteria.
    (16) Skills.
    (17) Training.
    (18) Substance abuse standards.
    (19) System goals.
    (20) Coverage goals.
    (21) Response goals.

Procedural

    The meeting is open to the public. Persons wishing to make oral 
presentations at the meeting should notify the person listed under For 
Further Information Contact no later than October 10, 1996.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the person listed under For Further Information Contact.

    Dated: September 9, 1996.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 96-23366 Filed 9-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M