[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28824-28826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13872]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 95, 100, 173, 174, 175, 177, 179, 181, and 183

46 CFR Part 25

[CGD 97-029]


Review of Regulations on Boating Safety

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will conduct a comprehensive review of 
currently effective boating safety regulations during and after the 
meeting of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) in 
October 1997. This Request describes which of them will come within the 
review and solicits comments from the boating community in response to 
issues that this Request will pose. The review is to determine which if 
any of those regulations need change. The Coast Guard will provide a 
summary of the comments received to the members of the NBSAC for them 
to consider before that meeting, and will itself consider all relevant 
comments as it determines which if any of those regulations need 
change.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before July 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA, 3406) [CGD 97-029], U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or 
deliver them to room 3406 at the same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-267-1477.
    The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this 
regulatory review. Comments, and documents as indicated in this 
preamble, will become part of this docket and will be available for 
inspection or copying at room 3406,

[[Page 28825]]

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlton Perry, Project Manager, Office 
of Boating Safety, Program Management Division, 202-267-0979. You may 
obtain a copy of this Request by calling the Coast Guard Customer 
Infoline at 1-800-368-5647, or on the Internet Office of Boating Safety 
Web Site at URL address http://www.access.digex.net/ 
prostech/uscg/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    NBSAC is an advisory committee created under 46 U.S.C. 13110(a) and 
section 304(f) of Pub. L. 104-324. It advises the Coast Guard on 
substantive matters of boating safety. It comprises 21 members drawn 
equally from 3 segments of the boating community: the boating industry; 
State officials on boating safety; and representatives of national 
recreational boating organizations and of the general public. The Coast 
Guard must consult it in the formulation of boating safety regulations.
    The Coast Guard conducted comprehensive reviews of its boating 
safety regulations in conjunction with meetings of NBSAC in May 1981, 
1986, and 1992. It asked NBSAC to determine whether the regulations 
were still necessary, beneficial, cost-effective, and in step with 
current technology. These reviews led NBSAC to make numerous 
recommendations to improve and update specific provisions in the 
regulations. The next comprehensive review is due at the meeting of 
NBSAC in October 1997. (The Coast Guard will publish details of the 
exact time and place of the meeting in the Federal Register at a later 
date. The meeting will be open to the public.) The review will 
encompass currently effective regulations issued under the authority of 
the Assistant Commandant for Operations, at Coast Guard Headquarters, 
or of his predecessors. It will not encompass any rules not yet final. 
The review will encompass at least these rules:
     Restrictions on and responsibilities of persons operating 
recreational vessels while intoxicated (33 CFR part 95).
     Requirements for persons organizing regattas and marine 
parades to notify the Coast Guard and apply for permits before the 
event (33 CFR part 100).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels and for 
States to number, or register, those vessels and report accidents (33 
CFR parts 173 & 174).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels to 
carry personal flotation devices (PFDs) on the vessels (33 CFR part 
175).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels to 
carry visual distress signals (VDSs) on the vessels (33 CFR part 175).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels 
regarding especially hazardous conditions (33 CFR part 177).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels and associated equipment to notify purchasers of 
the vessels about safety defects and to recall products (33 CFR part 
179).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels to certify compliance of boats and associated 
equipment (33 CFR part 181, subpart B).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels to identify the vessels with hull identification 
numbers (33 CFR part 181, subpart C).
     Requirements for manufacturers of PFDs to furnish 
informational pamphlets about the PFDs (33 CFR part 181, subpart G).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels to calculate and display safe capacities for 
loading and powering (33 CFR part 183, subparts, B, C, D, and N).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of recreation 
vessels regarding standards for flotation of recreational vessels (33 
CFR part 183, subparts, F, G, and H).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels regarding electrical and fuel systems (33 CFR part 
183, subparts I and J).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of 
recreational vessels regarding powered and natural ventilation systems 
(33 CFR part 183, subpart K).
     Requirements for manufacturers and importers of outboard 
engines to protect against the engines starting in gear (33 CFR part 
183, subpart L).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels to 
carry fire extinguishers on the vessels (46 CFR subpart 25.30).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels to 
carry an acceptable means of backfire flame control on the vessels (46 
CFR subpart 25.35).
     Requirements for operators of recreational vessels 
regarding operable ventilation systems on the vessels (33 CFR part 175, 
subpart D; and 46 CFR subpart 25.40).
    You may read copies of the boating safety regulations under review 
at any of the many public libraries that carry the United States Code 
of Federal Regulations. You may buy them from the Superintendent, 
Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-2250; facsimile: 202-
512-1800. You may also read them on, and run copies of them from, the 
Internet at URL address http://law.house.gov/cfrhelp.htm.

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested person from all segments of 
the boating community to participate in this regulatory review by 
submitting written data, views, or arguments regarding any changes to 
the currently effective boating safety regulations, including 
elimination or revocation of any requirements. (This review is not 
required by but is consistent with 5 U.S.C. 610, which directs agencies 
to conduct periodic reviews of regulations they issue that have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.) Persons 
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify 
this Request [CGD 97-029] and the specific provision in the regulation 
to which each comment applies, state each change needed, and give all 
reasons to support each change. 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 is especially interested in receiving data, views, 
and arguments on the following issues:
     Need--Is there still a reasonable need for the 
regulations? Is the problem that the regulation was originally intended 
to solve still a problem?
     Technical Accuracy--Has the regulation kept pace with the 
technological, economic, or other relevant conditions? Would any 
particular changes make it more effective in achieving its intended 
goal?
     Cost/Benefit--What are the costs, or other burdens or 
adverse effects, of the regulation? What are the benefits of the 
regulation in terms of person safety or other values? Do the benefits 
outweigh the cost?
     Problems--Are there any problems or complaints in 
understanding or complying with the regulations?
     Alternatives--Are there any nonregulatory ways to achieve 
the goal

[[Page 28826]]

the regulation at lower cost, or lower burden or adverse effect?
    The Coast Guard will summarize--and will provide to the members of 
NBSAC for them to consider before the meeting in October 1997--all 
comments received during the comment period in response to this 
Request. It will consider all relevant comments in the formulation of 
any changes to the boating safety regulations that may result from this 
review.

    Dated: May 21, 1997.
N.T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-13872 Filed 5-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M