[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31259-31260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15179]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-3917]


Year 2000 (Y2K) Problems in the Maritime Industry

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: ``Y2K'' is the acronym for ``Year 2000'' and the problems 
which may occur in computer software and equipment with computer chips 
before, on or after January 1, 2000. The effects on equipment could be 
disastrous. Consequently, the Coast Guard has arranged to serve as a 
clearing house for any lessons learned or problems identified with this 
issue as it relates to the maritime industry.

DATES: This docket will remain open until January 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility, 
[USCG-1998-3917], 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 
notice. 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 above address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also access 
this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions concerning the issues discussed in this notice contact 
John Schonacher at the National Maritime Center, (703) 235-0018. For 
questions concerning the Docket Management Service contact Paulette 
Twine, Chief, Documentary Services Division, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, telephone (202) 366-9329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested person to participate in 
discussions regarding the Y2K problem by submitting written data, 
views, or arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their 
names and addresses, identifying this notice and the specific section 
of this notice to which each comment applies, and give the reason 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.

Background and Purpose

    ``Y2K'' is the acronym for ``Year 2000'' and the problems which may 
occur in computer software and equipment with computer chips at the 
onset of the year 2000. This phenomenon is also referred to as the 
``Millennium Bug.'' Either term may be used to describe the potential 
failure of software and electronic devices prior to, on, or after 
January 1, 2000.
    The potential exists because of the widespread industry practice of 
using two digits, not four, to represent the year in computer 
databases, software applications, and hardware chips to store or 
calculate dates. Many systems will cease ``00'' in the year 2000 
because they will treat the year as 1900 instead. The results may be 
disastrous. For example, envision the scenario of a generator or main 
engine which automatically shuts down because the automated control 
system believes it has not received maintenance for 97 years instead of 
3 years.
    The Y2K problem is not confined to large mainframe computer 
systems. Personal computers and electronics embedded with 
microprocessors are also at risk. ``Smart Devices'' on board ships, 
ranging from simple items such as timers, to more sophisticated systems 
like electronic cargo handling systems, radar systems, and GPS, could 
be affected and are at risk from this threat.
    This problem is not limited to U.S. and foreign flag ships, but 
also affects port facilities of every kind. In addition to shipboard 
systems with embedded microprocessors or date sensitive lines of codes, 
the effects of Y2K on related shoreside systems should be considered. 
These include, but are not limited to crane, cargo systems, servicing 
equipment, firefighting and scheduling equipment.
    The insidious nature of this problem is compounded by the fact that 
identical devices, performing well today, may act very differently in 
the year 2000. This potentially drastic difference in performance is 
due to the fact that they each may use a very slightly different chip. 
For this reason, experts recommend that any ``smart'' system or 
electronic device be checked out.
    A recent survey found that only one in six of the corporations 
surveyed have begun implementing a Y2K fix. Many executives apparently 
do not understand the magnitude of the problem or the complexity and 
costs involved with fixing it. Corporations and government agencies 
will reportedly spend over $200 billion, by even conservative 
estimates, to fix the Y2K problem.
    In addition to the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Y2K website, the 
International Chamber of Shipping has a site at http://
www.ship2000.com. This site provides a comprehensive look at Y2K issues 
in the maritime industry, and contains links to other maritime Y2K 
sites.
    Due to the potentially significant impact of this problem, the 
Coast Guard has arranged to serve as a clearing house for any lessons 
learned or problems identified with this issue as it relates to the 
maritime industry. The comment period will be open until January 1, 
2002, since we anticipate that problems may still occur at least two 
years after

[[Page 31260]]

the turn of the century. Submitters are encouraged to provide 
additional comments as new problems and solutions are found.
    We would also like to determine the level of support for Y2K 
maritime conferences in various cities. In February, 1998, the Coast 
Guard co-sponsored a Y2K Maritime Issues Conference with the New York 
Maritime Association Port of NY/NJ. This widely attended information-
sharing conference drew representation from a large cross-section of 
industry. Since the Y2K problem will affect all sectors of industry, 
future similar conferences may be beneficial to stakeholders. The Coast 
Guard may be interested in cosponsoring such events in the future.
    We would specifically like comments in the following areas:
    (1) Identification of Y2K problems.
    (2) Solutions to and lessons learned about Y2K problems.
    (3) Resources available to address Y2K issues.
    (4) Your interest in attending Y2K maritime conferences in 
Washington, DC and other cities.
    All comments, which will be maintained on the Docket Management 
System, can be accessed at http://dms.dot.gov. Also, the Coast Guard's 
Marine Safety Y2K Web Site at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/y2k.htm 
can be accessed to obtain information on comments received.

    Dated: June 2, 1998.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-15179 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M