[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 185 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 57422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24428]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD-2000-7951]


Information Collection Available for Public Comments and 
Recommendations

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) intentions to 
request approval for three years of an existing information collection 
entitled ``Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER).''

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before November 21, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Lockland, Chief, Division of 
Operations Support, Office of Ship Operations, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Room 2123, Washington, D.C. 20590, telephone number--202-366-5735. 
Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue 
System (AMVER).
    Type of Request: Three-year approval of an existing information 
collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2133-0025.
    Form Number: CG-4796 (MA) (Rev. 8-88).
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the date of approval.
    Summary of Collection of Information: This collection of 
information is used to gather information regarding the location of 
U.S.-flag vessels and certain other U.S. citizen-owned vessels for the 
purpose of Search and Rescue in the saving of lives at sea and for the 
marshalling of ships for National Defense and safety purposes. This 
collection consists of vessels that transmit their positions through 
the following means: (1) Electronic mail via the internet sent by 
satelite or HF radio; (2) AMVER/SEAS ``compressed message'' sent via 
INMARSAT-C; (3) HF telex via U.S. Coast Guard communications stations; 
(4) HF radio via U.S. contractual agreement with Mobile Marine Radio; 
(5) telex via either satelite or HF radio; and (6) telefacsimile 
directly to U.S. Coast Guard AMVER Operations Center. This location 
data is then read into a database and is accessed only by the U.S. 
Coast Guard and MARAD to determine the location of a particular ship.
    Need and Use of the Information: This information collection is 
necessary for maintaining a current plot of U.S.-flag and U.S.-owned 
vessels in order to facilitate immediate marshalling of ships for 
National Defense purposes and for the purpose of maintaining a current 
plot for Search and Rescue purposes for safety of life at sea.
    Description of Respondents: U.S.-flag and U.S. citizen-owned 
vessels which are required to respond under current statute and 
regulation.
    Annual Responses: 32,480 responses.
    Annual Burden: 2,598 hours.
    Comments: Signed written comments should refer to the docket number 
that appears at the top of this document and must be submitted to the 
Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, D.C. 20590. Specifically, address whether this information 
collection is necessary for proper performance of the function of the 
agency and will have practical utility, accuracy of the burden 
estimates, ways to minimize this burden, and ways to enhance quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. All comments 
received will be available for examination at the above address between 
10 a.m. and 5 p.m., et. Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. 
An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide 
Web at http://dms.dot.gov.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: September 19, 2000.
Murray A. Bloom,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-24428 Filed 9-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P