[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13903-13904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7451]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 1998-3600]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Coast Guard intends to request the approval of the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) of the renewal of three Information Collection 
Requests (ICR). These ICR's include the: 1. Vessel Documentation; 2. 
Alternate Compliance-International/Inland Navigation Rules; and 3. 
Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices for Recreational Vessels. Before 
submitting the ICR's to OMB, the Coast Guard is asking for comments on 
the collections described below.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before May 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility, 
(USCG-1998-3600), U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room 
PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same 
address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this 
document. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at room PL-401, located on the 
Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same address between 10 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may 
also access this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    Copies of the complete Information Collection Request are available 
through this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov and also from 
Commandant (G-SII-2), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, room 6106, (Attn: 
Barbara Davis), 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. The 
telephone number is 202-267-2326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions on this document, contact Barbara Davis, Office of 
Information Management, 202-267-2326. For questions on this docket, 
contact Carol Kelly, Coast Guard Dockets Team Leader, or Paulette 
Twine, Chief, Documentary Services Division, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 202-366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit written 
comments. Persons submitting

[[Page 13904]]

comments should include their names and addresses, identify this 
document (CGD 1998-3600) and the specific Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to which each comment applies, and give the reasons for 
each comment. Please submit 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.

Information Collection Requests

    1. Title: Vessel Documentation.
    OMB Control Number: 2115-0110.
    Summary: The information collected will be used to establish the 
eligibility of a vessel to: (a) be documented as a ``vessel of the 
United States,'' (b) engage in a particular trade, and/or (c) become 
the object of a preferred ship's mortgage. The information collected 
concerns citizenship of owner/applicant and build, tonnage and markings 
of a vessel.
    Need: 46 U.S.C. Chapters 121, 123, 125 and 313 requires the 
documentation of vessels. A Certificate of Documentation is required 
for the operation of a vessel in certain trades, serves as evidence of 
vessel nationality and permits a vessel to be subject to preferred 
mortgages.
    Respondents: Owners/builders of yachts and commercial vessels at 
least 5 net tons.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Burden Estimates: The estimated burden is 50,092 hours.
    2. Title : Alternate Compliance--International/Inland Navigation 
Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2115-0073.
    Summary: The information collected provides an opportunity for 
those with unique vessels to present their reasons why the vessel 
cannot comply with existing regulations and how alternate compliance 
can be achieved.
    Need: Certain vessels cannot comply with the International 
Regulations (33 U.S.C. 1601) and Inland Navigation Rules (33 U.S.C. 
2001). the Coast Guard thus provides an opportunity for alternate 
compliance. However, it is not possible to determine whether alternate 
compliance is appropriate or what kind of alternative procedures might 
be necessary without this collection.
    Respondents: Vessel owners, operators, builders and agents.
    Frequency: One-time application.
    Burden Estimate: The estimated burden is 135 hours annually.
    3. Title: Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for 
Recreational Vessels.
    OMB Control Number: 2115-0619.
    Summary: The information collected concerns the labeling and 
preparation of manuals for inflatable PFDs. In keeping with this 
requirement the Coast Guard has established a system for approval of 
PFDs for use on such vessels? To facilitate the approval and inspection 
process, the Coast Guard requires that manufacturers label their 
devices and publish users manuals to help the end user.
    Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 4302(a) prescribes regulations to: (a) 
establish minimum safety standards for recreational vessels, (b) 
require the installation and carrying or use of associated equipment 
and require or permit the display of seals, labels, plates, insignia or 
other devices for certifying or evidencing compliance with safety 
regulations. The labels are important for a number of reasons. First, 
they are essential to the user; they indicate the chest size of the PFD 
and also display printed and pictographic instructions for proper use 
and care of the PFD. Secondly, because they include a specific product 
number and the manufacturer's name they are central to the Coast 
Guard's mission of identifying faulty equipment and then notifying the 
responsible producer. The manuals also serve a dual purpose. On the one 
hand they give the user information they will need to properly use and 
maintain the device, and on the other they keep the Coast Guard 
informed as to the specifications and design of new PFDs.
    Respondents: PFD manufacturers.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Burden Estimate: The estimated burden is 503.33 hours annually.

    Dated: March 13, 1998.
S.A. Richardson,
Acting Director, Information and Technology, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 98-7451 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M