[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 7443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4061]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[USCG 2002-10298]


Double Hull Standards for Vessels Carrying Oil in Bulk; U.S. 
Position on the Amendment of International Standards for the Phase-Out 
of Existing Single Hull Tank Vessels

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the public that on February 12, 2002, 
the U.S. Embassy in London deposited a declaration with the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) stating that the express 
approval of the U.S. Government will be necessary before the revised 
Regulation 13G of the International Convention for the Prevention of 
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) would enter into force for the U.S. 
In this declaration, the U.S. cited specific technical differences 
between the revised MARPOL Regulation for new and existing tankers and 
OPA 90.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Jendrossek, Project Manager, 
Vessel and Facility Operating and Environmental Standards Division (G-
MSO-2), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-
0001, telephone 202-267-0836.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 27, 2001, The IMO adopted 
amendments to Regulation 13G of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78. These 
amendments, which accelerate the phase-out schedule adopted by the IMO 
on March 6, 1992, for some classes of single-hull tank vessels, will be 
deemed accepted March 1, 2002, unless prior to that date, not less than 
one-third of the Parties or Parties the combined merchant fleets of 
which constitute not less than 50 per cent of the gross tonnage of the 
world's merchant fleet, have communicated to the Organization their 
objection to the amendments. It is unlikely that such objections will 
be raised. The U.S. will not object but has taken a position with the 
IMO that the express approval of the U.S. Government would be necessary 
before this amendment will be enforced by the U.S. As was the case in 
1993, the U.S. maintains that the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) 
continues to be the more stringent requirement.
    The Coast Guard held a public meeting on September 25, 2001, (66 FR 
42170) to discuss the amendment of the international standards that 
were developed and adopted by the IMO in April 2001. The public meeting 
was used to collect comments and information from the public and 
industry to develop a final U.S. position to be formally presented to 
IMO on this matter. The Coast Guard encouraged interested parties to 
attend the meeting and submit comments for discussion during the 
meeting. Attendees at the meeting were unanimously in favor of the U.S. 
retaining the phase-out schedule under OPA 90. No objection was raised 
to the U.S. intention to inform the IMO that express approval will be 
required before Regulation 13G becomes effective for the U.S. 
Additionally, the Coast Guard sought written comments from any party 
who was unable to attend the public meeting in the same Federal 
Register Notice (66 FR 42170). The docket received ten letters from 
individuals, associations and societies, and industry providing 
specific comments on this subject. These letters can be viewed by 
contacting Ms. Dorothy Beard, Chief, Dockets, Department of 
Transportation, telephone 202-366-5194. You may also find this docket 
(USCG 2001-10298) on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Of the ten 
letters received, nine supported the U.S. retaining the phase-out 
schedule under OPA 90. The one dissenting comment urged the United 
States to support the amended regulation 13G and adopt use of The 
American Under Pressure System as an alternative to double-hulls. The 
Coast Guard disagrees; this issue was previously considered during the 
development of OPA 90 and not adopted.

    Dated: February 12, 2002.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 02-4061 Filed 2-14-02; 1:18 pm]
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