[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 55067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket No. M-024]


Information Collection Available for Public Comments and 
Recommendations

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intentions to 
request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved 
information collection.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before (Sixty days following 
date of publication in Federal Register).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Lippold, Office of Ship 
Financing, Maritime Administration, MAR-530, Room 8122, 400 Seventh 
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Telephone 202-366-1907 or fax 
202-366-7901. Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that 
office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title of Collection: 46 CFR Part 298--Title XI Obligation 
Guarantees
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information 
collection
    OMB Control Number: 2133-0018
    Form Number: MA-163
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 1997.
    Summary of Collection of Information: Under title XI of the 
Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 1271-1279) (the Act), 
the Maritime Administration (MARAD) is authorized to execute a full 
faith and credit guarantee by the United States of debt obligations 
issued to finance or refinance the construction or reconstruction of 
vessels. In November 1994, the title XI program was expanded to permit 
issuance of loan guarantees for financing export vessels built in the 
United States and for shipyard modernization and improvement projects.
    Need and Use of the Information: Prior to execution of a loan 
guarantee, the Act requires the Secretary of Transportation must, among 
other things, make determinations of economic soundness of the project 
and financial and operating capability of the applicant. The Secretary 
of Transportation has delegated this authority (See 49 CFR 1.66(e)) to 
the Maritime Administrator. The information collected is necessary to 
evaluate the project and capabilities, make the required 
determinations, and administer any agreements executed upon approval of 
loan guarantees.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals/businesses interested in 
obtaining loan guarantees for construction/reconstruction of vessels 
satisfying criteria under the Act.
    Annual Responses: 25
    Annual Burden: 2,000 hours
    Comments: Send all comments regarding this information collection 
to Joel C. Richard, Department of Transportation, Maritime 
Administration, MAR-120, Room 7210, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20590. Send comments regarding whether this 
information collection is necessary for proper performance of the 
function of the agency and will have practical utility, accuracy of the 
burden estimates, ways to minimize this burden, and ways to enhance 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: October 18, 1996.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-27171 Filed 10-22-96; 8:45 am]
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