[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31958-31959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15428]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 27

[CG 97-064]
RIN 2115-AF-53


Towing Vessel Safety

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Correction to notice of proposed rulemaking; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: This document contains a correction to the notice of proposed 
rulemaking (CGD 97-064) which was published Friday, October 6, 1997, 
[62 FR 52057]. The rules are intended to improve the safety of towing 
vessels and tank barges.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 10, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CG-97-064), 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 
rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Markle, Project Manager 
(Fire Protection) 202-267-1076; or Mr. Allen Penn, Project Manager 
(Emergency Control Systems) 202-267-2997, U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

[[Page 31959]]

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. You 
should include your names and addresses, identify this rulemaking (CGD 
97-064) and the specific section of this document that the comment 
applies, and give a reason for the comment. 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. If you 
want us to acknowledge receiving your comments, please include a 
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule in view of the 
comments.

Background

    The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would establish rules 
requiring training, drills, and the installation of equipment to 
suppress fires on towing vessels, and to enhance existing standards for 
anchoring or retrieving a drifting tank barge. The NPRM stated that the 
rules concerning drifting barges would apply to tank barges and vessels 
towing them on the high seas, territorial sea, and the Great Lakes.

Need for Correction

    For the purposes of this NPRM, the Coast Guard treated the 
statutory language ``open ocean [and] coastal waters'' as equivalent to 
the regulatory language ``high seas and territorial sea.'' The 
territorial-sea baseline generally follows the coastline of the United 
States. However, it does not follow the coastlines of Connecticut or 
New York inside Long Island. There, it follows the seaward side of the 
island. Consequently, the NPRM inadvertently excluded Long Island Sound 
from the waters on which the proposed rules would apply to tank barges 
and vessels towing them.

Correction of Publication

    Accordingly, the publication on October 6, 1997, of the proposed 
rule (CGD 97-064), which is the subject of FR Doc. 97-26304, is 
corrected as follows:
    1. Paragraph (a) of Sec. 155.230 is corrected to read as follows:


Sec. 155.230  Emergency control systems for tank barges.

    (a) Application. This section applies to tank barges and vessels 
towing them--
    (1) On the territorial seas;
    (2) On the high seas;
    (3) On Long Island Sound; or
    (4) In Great Lakes service.
* * * * *
    Dated: June 4, 1998.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-15428 Filed 6-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M