[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 16515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8334]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1999-5462]


Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee 
(CFIVAC) will meet to discuss the Coast Guard's Fishing Vessel Casualty 
Task Force Report.

DATES: CFIVAC will meet on Wednesday, April 14, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 15, 1999, from 8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: CFIVAC will meet in the conference room of the Coast Guard 
National Pollution Funds Center, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, 
Arlington, Virginia. This notice is available on the Internet at hhtp:/
/dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice, contact 
Commander Mark A. Prescott, Executive Director of CFIVAC, or Lieutenant 
Commander Randy Clark, Assistant to the Executive Director, telephone 
202-267-1181, fax 202-267-4570.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these meetings is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Under the authority of 
the General Services Administration Federal Advisory Committee 
Regulations, 41 Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 101-6.1015(b)(2), this 
notice is given with less than 15 days notice due to the exceptional 
circumstances. During the closing days of 1998 through the first three 
weeks of 1999 the commercial fishing industry lost four vessels and 11 
lives off the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts of the United States. 
This alarming death rate occurred in an industry that is considered one 
of America's most dangerous and if left unabated will be the deadliest 
year in over a decade. As a result, the Coast Guard chartered a Task 
Force to conduct a fast track study to: Determine the factual 
circumstances of these casualties; examine these incidents in the 
context of historical data for loss of life and property; provide quick 
feedback to industry; review the current fishing vessel safety program 
and past recommendations that have the potential for reducing loss of 
life and property; recommend the most significant measures that have 
great potential for reducing the loss of life and property; and develop 
a direction to be pursued by CFIVAC, the Coast Guard, and industry. The 
Coast Guard will complete the Task Force Report on, or about, April 5, 
1999, and desires that CFIVAC review the report and make its 
recommendations as soon as possible. It is essential for CFIVAC to meet 
as quickly as possible due to the urgency of this matter. Therefore, it 
is not possible to provide 15 days prior notification of this meeting. 
Interested parties, including members of Congress, have been advised of 
this meeting.

Agenda of Meeting

Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee (CFIVAC).

    The agenda includes the following:
    (1) Welcome, administrative issues.
    (2) Review and comment on the Coast Guard's Fishing Vessel Casualty 
Task Force Report.

Procedural

    The meeting is open to the public. This will be a working meeting 
of CFIVAC and there will be limited opportunity for public comment. 
Please note that the meeting may close early if all business is 
finished. Due to security procedures, members of the public must 
produce a photo ID to enter the building.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
the Executive Director as soon as possible.

    Dated: March 31, 1999.
Robert C. North,
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 99-8334 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M