[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19657-19658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10552]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 187

[CGD 89-050]
RIN 2115-AD35


Vessel Identification System; Effective Date Change

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Interim final rule; change in effective date.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard extends the delay of the effective date of 
part of its regulations establishing the vessel identification system. 
Subpart D of these regulations addressing guidelines for State vessel 
titling systems was to become effective on April 24, 1998. Based on 
comments received from the States and banking interests, the Coast 
Guard needs more time to address the issues raised. Therefore, by 
extending

[[Page 19658]]

the delay in the effective date through April 23, 1999, the Coast 
Guard, States, and public will have an opportunity to further review 
the issues identified. The remainder of the regulation is unaffected by 
this notice.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This document is effective April 23, 1998. The 
effective date of Subpart D of 33 CFR part 187 is delayed until April 
24, 1999. All other provisions of the interim final rule that became 
effective on April 24, 1996, will remain effective, as stated in the 
interim final rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant James Whitehead, Project Manager, Officer of Information 
Resources (G-MRI), 202-267-0385. This telephone is equipped to record 
messages on a 24-hour basis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Reason for Suspension

    One subpart of the interim final rule prescribes the procedures for 
obtaining certification of compliance with guidelines for State vessel 
titling systems (33 CFR part 187, subpart D). The effective date of 
that subpart was delayed through April 23, 1998, to allow the States 
and the Coast Guard more time to review the complexities of State 
titling systems. Due to the comments received during the additional 
comment period from October 20, 1997, through December 4, 1997, the 
Coast Guard needs more time to consider the many substantive changes 
recommended in those comments. Therefore, the Coast Guard is delaying 
the effective date of subpart D until April 24, 1999. All other 
provisions of the interim final rule will remain in effect.
    Accordingly, under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 2103 and 49 CFR 1.46, 
the effective date of 33 CFR part 187, subpart D, is changed to April 
24, 1999.

    Dated: April 14, 1998.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-10552 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M