[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46034-46035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18934]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[USCG 2000-7672]


Establishment of Pilot Program to Exempt Certain Vessels From 
Inspection as Seagoing Motor Vessels

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of pilot program.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard establishes a pilot program to exempt certain 
seagoing motor vessels from the requirement that they be inspected. The 
program will give the Coast Guard an opportunity to assess whether 
current requirements for inspection are beneficial (and, if they are 
not, reduce or eliminate them), without jeopardizing safety. This 
notice announces implementation of the program, and establishes 
procedures for participation in the program.

DATES: Written requests for participation in the pilot program must 
arrive no later than November 13, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this Notice, contact 
LT Dean Firing, Domestic Vessel Compliance Division (G-MOC-1), U.S. 
Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-
0001, telephone 202-267-0514, fax 202-267-4394, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    Subsection 412(b) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 
[Public Law 105-383] granted the Secretary of Transportation 
discretionary authority to establish a pilot program exempting certain 
seagoing motor vessels from the inspection requirements under 46 U.S.C. 
3301(7). Under certain conditions, seagoing motor vessels of 300 gross 
tons or more, as measured under 46 U.S.C. chapter 143 or 145, may 
participate in the program as long as they do not (a) carry any cargo 
or passengers for hire; (b) engage in commercial service, commercial 
fisheries, or oceanographic research; or (c) engage in other than 
``good-samaritan'' towing.
    Although no treaties require recreational vessels in general to be 
inspected or certified, 46 U.S.C. 3301(7) requires seagoing motor 
vessels of 300 gross tons or more to be inspected and certificated by 
the Coast Guard, regardless of their functions, flags, or uses. Owners 
and operators of commercial, research, and recreational seagoing motor 
vessels face the same

[[Page 46035]]

requirements. Subsection 3301(7) has discouraged potential owners of 
these large recreational vessels from building, and actual owners from 
registering, such vessels in the United States. We expect the prospect 
of exemption provided by the pilot program to encourage the building 
and registering of such vessels here by reducing or eliminating the 
burden of inspection, without compromising safety. Participating 
vessels must follow all other applicable Federal, State, and local 
requirements such as those on loadlines, manning, and pollution 
prevention.
    Owners and operators of vessels who would like to participate in 
the pilot program must submit requests in writing to the Coast Guard. 
We will evaluate requests case by case, considering the unique 
characteristics of each vessel. We will continue to inspect vessels 
that do not participate in the program. Instead of Certificates of 
Inspection, participating vessels will receive exemption letters from 
Commandant (G-MOC).
    Owners or operators of four vessels have submitted requests in 
writing to participate in the pilot program. We are considering their 
requests and will consider all others submitted to us on or before 
November 13, 2000.

Which Vessels May Qualify to Participate in the Pilot Program?

    Seagoing motor vessels of 300 gross tons or more, as measured under 
46 U.S.C. chapter 143 or 145, may qualify to participate in the 
program, as long as they do not (a) carry any cargo or passengers for 
hire; (b) engage in commercial service, commercial fisheries, or 
oceanographic research; or (c) engage in other than ``good-samaritan'' 
towing.

How Do I Get an Exemption?

    Written requests for vessels to participate in the pilot program 
must arrive on or before November 13, 2000. Send them to: Commandant, 
U.S. Coast Guard (G-MOC), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.
    The Commandant (G-MOC) will determine case by case whether vessels 
may participate. You should furnish enough information in your request 
to let the Commandant determine this. We may ask for more information; 
but you should furnish at least this much:
    (a) A detailed description of the vessel, including its 
identification number, owner, and flag.
    (b) A statement describing the intended use of the vessel. You do 
not have to include this statement if the vessel's Certificate of 
Documentation is endorsed only for recreation.
    (c) A statement indicating that the vessel meets the qualifying 
conditions: does not carry any cargo or passengers for hire; engage in 
commercial service, commercial fisheries, or oceanographic research; or 
engage in other than ``good-samaritan'' towing.
    (d) A statement indicating that the vessel meets requirements under 
46 U.S.C. chapter 43 for recreational vessels, and related regulatory 
requirements for recreational boating. The vessel must also meet all 
other applicable statutes and rules such as those on loadlines, 
manning, and pollution.

How Do I Know Whether I Have Got an Exemption?

    The Commandant (G-MOC) will notify you by letter if he approves 
your request. You will have to carry this letter onboard the vessel. An 
exemption will remain in effect as long as the vessel remains 
qualified. If the vessel's operating conditions do change, you must 
notify the Commandant (G-MOC) in writing within 30 days of their 
changing. The Commandant (G-MOC) will review them and determine whether 
the exemption is still valid.

When Will the Pilot Program Expire

    Our authority to grant exemptions under this program expires 
November 13, 2000: Written requests to participate in the program must 
arrive on or before then. Any exemption granted will remain in effect 
as long as the vessel remains qualified. No vessel will remain 
qualified if it (a) carries any cargo or passengers for hire; (b) 
engages in commercial service, commercial fisheries, or oceanographic 
research; or (c) engages in other than ``good-samaritan'' towing.

    Dated: July 19, 2000.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 00-18934 Filed 7-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P