[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72219-72222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34633]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD01-98-165]
RIN 2121-AA97


Regulated Navigation Area: Kill Van Kull Channel, Newark Bay 
Channel, South Elizabeth Channel, Elizabeth Channel, Port Newark 
Channel, and New Jersey Pierhead Channel, New York and New Jersey

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to revise the Regulated Navigation 
Area (RNA) to include the Kill Van Kull Channel, Newark Bay Channel, 
South Elizabeth Channel, Elizabeth Channel, Port Newark Channel, and 
New Jersey Pierhead Channel, New York and New Jersey. This action is 
necessary because of the extensive channel deepening project being 
undertaken jointly by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Port 
Authority of New York and New Jersey. The RNA is needed to ensure the 
safety of vessels transiting the restricted channel during blasting and 
dredging operations.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before March 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Waterways Oversight Branch 
(CGD01-98-165), Coast Guard Activities New York, 212 Coast Guard Drive, 
Staten Island, New York 10305, or deliver them to room 202 at the same 
address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The Waterways Oversight Branch of Coast Guard Activities New York 
maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments, and 
documents as indicated in this preamble, will become part of this 
docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room 202, 
Coast Guard Activities New York, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Commander B. Krenzien, Waterways Management Division, Coast 
Guard Activities New York (718) 354-4191.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD01-98-165) and the specific section of 
this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each 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. Persons wanting acknowledgement of 
receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or 
envelopes.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposed rule in view of the 
comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Waterways Oversight Branch at the 
address under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a 
hearing would be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for 
oral presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold 
a public hearing at a time and place announced by a later notice in the 
Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The Kill Van Kull Channel, Newark Bay Channel, South Elizabeth 
Channel, Elizabeth Channel, Port Newark Channel, and New Jersey 
Pierhead Channel are the proposed areas to be designated as a RNA. 
These channels are located in the waters between Bayonne, New Jersey, 
Staten Island, New York, and Elizabeth/Newark, New Jersey. The proposed 
RNA is to enhance vessel safety during the extensive channel deepening 
project being undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which 
involves dredging and blasting in these areas. These channels connect 
the deepwater ports of New York Harbor. Current channel depths restrict 
the full economy of existing and future generations of deep draft 
vessels. Tankships arriving in the port with drafts approaching the 
forty five (45) foot controlling depths of Ambrose and Anchorage 
Channels must lighten some of their cargo to barges in the deep New 
York Harbor anchorages in order to safely transit the forty (40) foot 
channel depths. This results in substantial lightering and delay costs. 
Container vessels cannot lighter in the anchorages and therefore must 
load to less than full drafts. This project, which is expected to last 
approximately six (6) years, will deepen the existing forty (40) foot 
channel to forty five (45) feet to accommodate the deeper draft 
vessels. The dredging areas will continue to be available for use by 
the general public. Proposed restrictions on vessel transits during 
this project are unchanged from the current regulations in 
Sec. 165.165(d) except for (d) (1, 5, 7, and 9). Paragraph (d)(1) is 
proposed to allow vessels to enter or transit a work area where drill 
barges and/or dredges are located once granted permission from Vessel 
Traffic Service New York (VTSNY). Blasting operations being conducted 
in the work area will normally preclude vessels from receiving 
permission. One-way traffic will be maintained during this project in 
work areas where drill barges and/or dredges are located. Paragraph 
(d)(5) is proposed to specify that the prevailing current will be 
measured from the Battery tide station. This is expected to reduce 
confusion among mariners because use of the Battery tide station is the 
port norm. Paragraph (d)(7) is proposed to refer to the hawser and wire 
throughout the paragraph. Paragraph (d)(9) is proposed to define the 
phrase ``tugs with tows'' to include tugs with vessels or barges 
alongside or being pushed. This proposed rulemaking is needed to reduce 
the risks of collisions, groundings, and other navigational mishaps 
associated with this project. These are the same restrictions taken 
during 1991-92 when dredging was last conducted in this vicinity. They 
were instituted then due

[[Page 72220]]

to three groundings that resulted in one oil spill and one channel 
blockage. Public notifications for specific dredging dates will be made 
prior to the commencement of dredging via the Local Notice to Mariners, 
marine information broadcasts, facsimile, and at New York Harbor 
Operations Committee meetings.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The proposed RNA encompasses: all waters of the Kill Van Kull (KVK) 
Channel east of KVK Light 16A (LLNR 37340) in North of Shooters Island 
Reach, east of Shooters Island Light 2 (LLNR 37375) in South of 
Shooters Island Reach, and west of KVK Channel Junction Lighted Bell 
Buoy `KV' (LLNR 37265) in Constable Hook Reach; all waters of Newark 
Bay Channel south of Newark Bay Light 19 (LLNR 37505); all waters of 
South Elizabeth Channel, Elizabeth Channel and Port Newark Channel; and 
all waters of New Jersey Pierhead Channel south of the New Jersey 
Pierhead South Channel Lighted Buoy 5 (LLNR 37020). This proposed rule 
is necessary to safeguard marine traffic from the dangers of the 
dredging and blasting work proposed in the project area.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an 
assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of 
that Order. It has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget under that Order. It is not significant under the regulatory 
policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 
FR 11040; February 26, 1979).
    The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposed rule 
to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e 
of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. The 
effect of this regulation will not be significant for several reasons: 
vessels will be allowed to transit work areas where degrees and/or 
drill barges are located unless blasting is to be conducted, delays 
resulting form blasting are expected to last no longer than 15 minutes 
and occur less than 4 times daily in any one area, there are no 
restrictions on vessel traffic in the RNA in areas where there are no 
dredges or drill barges, the Port Authorities of New York and New 
Jersey are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on this 
project to ensure future generations of deep draft vessels are able to 
use the Port of New York/New Jersey, it will reduce substantial costs 
associated with lightering operations currently required by vessels 
unable to transit the harbor fully loaded, and advance notifications 
will be made to the local maritime community by the Local Notice to 
Mariners, facsimile, marine information broadcasts, and New York Harbor 
Operations Committee meetings. Additionally, these are the same 
restrictions taken during 1991-92 when dredging was last conducted in 
this vicinity, and other than minor delays in vessel transit time, no 
impact was noted.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard considers whether this proposed rule, if adopted, will have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' include small businesses, not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    For the reasons stated in the Regulatory Evaluation section above, 
the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed 
rule, if adopted, will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. If, however, you think that your 
business or organization qualifies as a small entity and that this 
proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on your business 
or organization, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why 
you think it qualifies and in what way and to what degree this proposed 
rule will economically affect it.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule does not provide for a collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1994 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposed rule under the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has 
determined that this proposed rule does not have sufficient 
implications for federalism to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.

Unfunded Mandates

    Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will result in an annual 
expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate 
of $100 million (adjusted annually for inflation). If so, the Act 
requires that a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives be 
considered, and that from those alternatives, the least costly, most 
cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the 
objective of the rule be selected. No state, local, or tribal 
government entities will be affected by this rule, so this rule will 
not result in annual or aggregate costs of $100 million or more. 
Therefore, the Coast Guard is exempt from any further regulatory 
requirements under the Unfunded Mandates Act.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposed rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this proposed rule is categorically 
excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical 
Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or 
copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Vessels, Waterways.

Proposed Regulation

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR Part 165 as follows:

PART 165--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 165 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. Revise Sec. 165.165 to read as follows:


Sec. 165.165  Regulated Navigation Area; Kill Van Kull Channel, Newark 
Bay Channel, South Elizabeth Channel, Elizabeth Channel, Port Newark 
Channel and New Jersey Pierhead Channel, New York and New Jersey.

    (a) Regulated Navigation Area (RNA). All waters of the Kill Van 
Kull (KVK) Channel east of KVK Light 16A (LLNR 37340) in North of 
Shooters Island Reach, east of Shooters Island Light 2 (LLNR 37375) in 
South of Shooters Island Reach, and west of KVK Channel Junction 
Lighted Bell Buoy ``KV'' (LLNR 37265) in Constable Hook Reach; all 
waters of Newark Bay Channel south of Newark Bay Light 19 (LLNR 37505); 
all waters of South Elizabeth Channel, Elizabeth Channel, Port Newark 
Channel, and New Jersey Pierhead Channel south of New Jersey Pierhead 
South Channel Lighted Buoy 5 (LLNR 37020).

[[Page 72221]]

    (b) Description of Work Areas in the RNA:
    (1) Work Area (1): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Latitude                            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.38'40.0'' N........................  074 deg.03'45.0'' W
40 deg.38'50.4'' N........................  074 deg.04'16.0'' W
40 deg.38'57.9'' N........................  074 deg.04'11.8'' W
40 deg.39'03.8'' N........................  074 deg.04'43.8'' W
40 deg.39'04.5'' N........................  074 deg.05'07.6'' W
40 deg.39'01.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'14.8'' W
40 deg.39'05.0'' N........................  074 deg.05'17.1'' W
40 deg.39'10.3'' N........................  074 deg.05'05.0'' W
40 deg.39'09.3'' N........................  074 deg.04'27.8'' W
40 deg.39'00.2'' N........................  074 deg.03'45.1'' W
40 deg.38'58.0'' N........................  074 deg.03'34.9'' W
40 deg.38'40.0'' N........................  074 deg.03'45.0'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Work Area (2): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.38'50.4'' N........................  074 deg.04'16.0'' W
40 deg.38'57.5'' N........................  074 deg.04'37.8'' W
40 deg.38'59.2'' N........................  074 deg.04'55,4'' W
40 deg.38'57,4'' N........................  074 deg.05'12.9'' W
40 deg.38'47.5'' N........................  074 deg.05'33.8'' W
40 deg.38'45.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'43.6'' W
40 deg.38'49.4'' N........................  074 deg.05'44.7'' W
40 deg.38'51.0'' N........................  074 deg.05'35.7'' W
40 deg.39'04.7'' N........................  074 deg.05'06.6'' W
40 deg.39'03.7'' N........................  074 deg.04'29.5'' N
40 deg.38'57.9'' N........................  074 deg.04'11.8'' W
40 deg.38'50.4'' N........................  074 deg.04'16.0'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Work Area (3): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.38'45.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'43.6'' W
40 deg.38'49.4'' N........................  074 deg.05'44.7'' W
40 deg.38'51.2'' N........................  074 deg.05'35.8'' W
40 deg.39'01.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'14.8'' W
40 deg.39'05.0'' N........................  074 deg.05'17.1'' W
40 deg.38'57.5'' N........................  074 deg.05'32.3'' W
40 deg.38'53.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'44.1'' W
40 deg.38'53.1'' N........................  074 deg.05'56.8'' W
40 deg.38'55.3'' N........................  074 deg.06'38.1'' W
40 deg.38'41.5'' N........................  074 deg.07'18.3'' W
40 deg.38'38.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'41.4'' W
40 deg.38'38.5'' N........................  074 deg.07'46.0'' W
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'49.0'' W
40 deg.38'31.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'50.0'' W
40 deg.38'30.1'' N........................  074 deg.07'41.3'' W
40 deg.38'33.9'' N........................  074 deg.07'15.1'' W
40 deg.38'44.0'' N........................  074 deg.06'45.7'' W
40 deg.38'46.7'' N........................  074 deg.06'25.9'' W
40 deg.38'44.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'49.6'' W
40 deg.38'45.8'' N........................  074 deg.05'43.6'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Work Area (4): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.38'31.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'50.0'' W
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'49.0'' W
40 deg.38'36.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'01.2'' W
40 deg.38'28.2'' N........................  074 deg.08'51.0'' W
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.09'06.2'' W
40 deg.38'30.0'' N........................  074 deg.09'12.0'' W
40 deg.38'24.8'' N........................  074 deg.09'02.6'' W
40 deg.38'24.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'52.0'' W
40 deg.38'31.5'' N........................  074 deg.08'07.4'' W
40 deg.38'31.8'' N........................  074 deg.07'54.6'' W
40 deg.38'31.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'50.0'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Work Area (5): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'49.0'' W
40 deg.38'38.5'' N........................  074 deg.07'46.0'' W
40 deg.38'40.7'' N........................  074 deg.08'01.3'' W
50 deg.38'34.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'41.0'' W
40 deg.38'40.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'52.0'' W
40 deg.38'50.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'55.0'' W
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.09'06.2'' W
40 deg.38'28.2'' N........................  074 deg.08'51.0'' W
40 deg.38'36.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'01.2'' W
40 deg.38'35.2'' N........................  074 deg.07'49.0'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Work Area (6): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.39'17.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'38.0'' W
40 deg.40'21.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'00.0'' W
40 deg.40'34.3'' N........................  074 deg.07'54.0'' W
40 deg.40'35.9'' N........................  074 deg.08'03.9'' W
40 deg.40'33.2'' N........................  074 deg.08'12.0'' W
40 deg.40'26.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'17.9'' W
40 deg.39'34.3'' N........................  074 deg.08'55.8'' W
40 deg.39'30.8'' N........................  074 deg.08'58.2'' W
40 deg.39'21.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'50.2'' W
40 deg.39'17.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'38.0'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) Work Area (7): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.40'26.7'' N........................  074 deg.08'17.9'' W
40 deg.41'14.4'' N........................  074 deg.09'35.0'' W
40 deg.41'18.9'' N........................  074 deg.09'31.9'' W
40 deg.40'46.1'' N........................  074 deg.08'38.9'' W
40 deg.40'44.5'' N........................  074 deg.08'30.2'' W
40 deg.40'33.2'' N........................  074 deg.08'12.0'' W
40 deg.40'26.7'' N........................  074 deg.08'17.9'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) Work Area (8): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.39'30.8'' N........................  074 deg.08'58.2'' W
40 deg.39'40.6'' N........................  074 deg.09'22.5'' W
40 deg.39'43.5'' N........................  074 deg.09'25.8'' W
40 deg.39'44.8'' N........................  074 deg.09'24.9'' W
40 deg.39'32.8'' N........................  074 deg.08'55.2'' W
40 deg.39'30.8'' N........................  074 deg.08'58.2'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AND

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.39'21.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'50.2'' W
40 deg.39'17.0'' N........................  074 deg.03'38.0'' W
40 deg.38'50.0'' N........................  074 deg.08'55.0'' W
40 deg.38'30.0'' N........................  074 deg.09'12.0'' W
40 deg.38'33.3'' N........................  074 deg.09'19.5'' W
40 deg.38'46.8'' N........................  074 deg.09'22.8'' W
40 deg.39'07.7'' N........................  074 deg.08'58.8'' W
40 deg.39'21.6'' N........................  074 deg.08'50.2'' W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (9) Work Area (9): The waters bounded by a line connecting the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Latitude                             Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 deg.40'34.3''N.........................  074 deg.07'54.0''W
40 deg.41'08.5''N.........................  074 deg.07'38.5''W
40 deg.41'11.6''N.........................  074 deg.07'50.8''W
40 deg.41'17.6''N.........................  074 deg.07'56.4''W
40 deg.41'20.0''N.........................  074 deg.08'00.3''W
40 deg.41'42.3''N.........................  074 deg.08'21.2''W
40 deg.41'59.4''N.........................  074 deg.09'11.0''W
40 deg.41'55.8''N.........................  074 deg.09'13.1''W
40 deg.41'39.1''N.........................  074 deg.08'24.6''W
40 deg.41'21.0''N.........................  074 deg.08'07.6''W
40 deg.40'46.1''N.........................  074 deg.08'38.9''W
40 deg.40'44.5''N.........................  074 deg.08'30.2''W
40 deg.40'50.4''N.........................  074 deg.08'30.3''W
40 deg.41'13.4''N.........................  074 deg.08'09.7''W
40 deg.41'13.7''N.........................  074 deg.08'05.6''W
40 deg.41'03.2''N.........................  074 deg.07'55.7''W
40 deg.40'54.4''N.........................  074 deg.07'55.7''W
40 deg.40'35.9''N.........................  074 deg.08'03.9''W
40 deg.40'34.3''N.........................  074 deg.07'54.0''W
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Projected dates for each work area. Dredging is tentatively 
scheduled to commence in Work Area 2 in March 1999. As contracts are 
let for dredging of each of the remaining work areas, commencement 
dates will be made available via the Local Notice to Mariners, marine 
information broadcasts, facsimile, and at New York Harbor Operations 
Committee meetings.
    (d) Regulations:
    (1) No vessel shall enter or transit any work area where drill 
barges and/or dredges are located without permission of Vessel Traffic 
Service New York (VTSNY).
    (2) Each vessel transiting in the vicinity of the work areas, where 
drill barges and/or dredges are located, is required to do so at no 
wake speed.
    (3) No vessel shall enter the RNA when they are advised by the 
drilling barge or VTSNY that a misfire or hangfire has occurred. 
Vessels already underway in the RNA shall proceed to clear the impacted 
area immediately.
    (4) Vessels, 300 gross tons or greater and tugs with tows, are 
prohibited from meeting or overtaking other vessels when transiting 
alongside an active work area.
    (5) Vessels, 300 gross tons or greater and tugs with tows, 
transiting with the

[[Page 72222]]

prevailing current (as measured from the Battery tide station) are 
regarded as the stand-on vessel.
    (6) Prior to entering the RNA, the master, pilot or operator of 
each vessel, 300 gross tons or greater and tugs with tows, shall ensure 
that they have sufficient propulsion and directional control to safely 
navigate the area under the prevailing conditions, and shall notify 
VTSNY as to their decision regarding the employment of assist tugs 
while transiting the RNA.
    (7) Hawser or wire length must not exceed 100 feet, measured from 
the towing bit on the tug to the point where the hawser or wire 
connects with the towed vessel or barge, for any vessel with another 
vessel/barge in tow.
    (8) Waiver. The Captain of the port, New York may, upon request, 
authorize a deviation from any regulation in this section if it is 
found that the proposed operations can be done safely. An application 
for deviation must be received not less than 24 hours before the 
intended operation and must state the need and described the proposal.
    (9) Tugs with tows includes a tug with a vessel or barge in tow, 
alongside, or being pushed.

    Dated: December 12, 1998.
R.M. Larrabee,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coastal Guard Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-34633 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M