[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 54693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27352]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission

October 6, 1998.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
following information collection, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or 
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for 
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control 
number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information 
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Persons wishing to comment on this information collection should 
submit comments December 14, 1998. If you anticipate that you will be 
submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period 
of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed 
below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications 
Commission, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via 
internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via 
internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Approval Number: 3060-0835.
    Title: Ship Inspection Certificates.
    Form Numbers: FCC 806, FCC 824, FCC 827, and FCC 829.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit 
institutions; State, Local or Tribal government(s).
    Number of Respondents: 3,730.
    Estimate Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting 
requirements; Third party disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 313 hours.
    Estimated Cost to Respondents: $0.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission adopted Rules that privatized ship 
inspections of ships subject to inspection requirements of the 
Communications Act or Safety Convention. The Rules require this 
inspection to be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician. This change 
reduces the administrative burden on the public and the Commission. To 
ensure that vessel safety is not adversely affected by this proposal, 
the Commission adopted Rules that private sector technicians certify 
that the ship passed an inspection and issue the ship a safety 
certificate.
    The Communications Act requires that the Commission must inspect 
the radio installation of large cargo ships and certain passenger ships 
at least once a year to ensure that the radio installation is in 
compliance with the requirements of the Communications Act. 
Additionally, the Communications Act requires the inspection of small 
passenger ships at least one every five years. The Safety Convention 
(to which the United States is a signatory) also requires an annual 
inspection, but permits an Administration to entrust the inspections to 
either surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations 
recognized by it. Therefore, the United States can have other entities 
conduct the radio inspection of vessels for compliance with the Safety 
Convention. The Commission adopted rules that FCC-licensed technicians 
provide a summary of the results of the inspection in the ship's log 
and furnish the vessel with a ship inspection safety certificate.
    The purpose of the information is to ensure that the inspection was 
successful so that passengers and crew members of certain United Sates 
ships have access to distress communications in an emergency.

    Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-27352 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-U