[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 40595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19064]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

July 21, 1999.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commissions, 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, Pub. L. 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: Written comments should be submitted on or before September 27, 
1999. 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 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554 or 
via the Internet to [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0362.
    Title: Inspection of Radio Installation on Large Cargo and Small 
Passenger Ships.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit 
institutions; and Federal, State, local, or Tribal government(s).
    Number of Respondents: 11,318.
    Estimate Time per Response: 4.48 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third 
party disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 44,478.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Needs and Uses: The FCC adopted Rules that privatized inspections 
of ships subject to the inspection requirements of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended, and the International 
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ( Safety Convention). 
The Communications Act requires the Commission to 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. Small passenger ships must 
be inspected at least once every five years. The Safety Convention (to 
which the United States is a signatory) also requires an annual 
inspection; however, the Safety Convention permits an Administration to 
entrust the inspections to either surveyors nominated for the purpose 
or to organizations recognized by it. 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 FCC 
adopted Rules that private sector technicians certify that the ship 
passed an inspection and issue the ship a safety certificate. The Rules 
also state that the inspecting technician and the ship's owner, 
operator, or captain each certify in the ship's station log that the 
vessel has passed a safety inspection. Therefore, the United States can 
have other entities conduct the radio inspection of vessels for 
compliance with Safety Convention. The Commission adopted Rules that 
FCC-licensed technicians provide a summary of the results of the 
inspection in the ships's log and provide the vessel with a ship 
inspection safety certificate. This ensures 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.
William F. Caton,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-19064 Filed 7-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P