[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58097-58098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23402]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[USCG 2002-12689]


Guidelines for Assessing Merchant Mariners Through Demonstrations 
of Proficiency as Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 
Radio Operators

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks 
public comments on, the national performance measures proposed here for 
use as guidelines when mariners demonstrate their proficiency as GMDSS 
radio operators. These measures were developed from recommendations and 
input provided by the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee 
(MERPAC).

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management 
Facility on or before November 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Please identify your comments and related material by the 
docket number of this rulemaking [USCG 2002-12689]. Then, to make sure 
they enter the docket just once, submit them by just one of the 
following means:
    (1) By mail to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
    (2) By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    (3) By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.

[[Page 58098]]

    (4) Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management 
System at http://dms.dot.gov.
    The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this 
Notice. Comments and related material received from the public, as well 
as documents mentioned in this Notice, will become part of this docket 
and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 on the 
Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, 
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. You may also find this docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    The measures proposed here are also available from Mr. Mark Gould, 
Maritime Personnel Qualifications Division, Office of Operating and 
Environmental Standards, Commandant (G-MSO-1), U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, telephone 202-267-6890, or e-mail address 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this Notice or on the 
national performance measures proposed here, e-mail or call Mr. Gould 
where indicated under ADDRESSES. For questions on viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, call Ms. Dorothy Beard, Chief, Dockets, 
Department of Transportation, telephone 202-366-5149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What Action Is the Coast Guard Taking?

    Section A-IV/2 of the Code accompanying the International 
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended in 1995, articulates qualifications 
for ensuring merchant mariners' attaining the minimum standard of 
competence through demonstrations of their proficiency as GMDSS radio 
operators. The Coast Guard tasked MERPAC with referring to the Section, 
modifying and specifying it as it deemed necessary, and recommending 
national performance measures. The Coast Guard has reviewed the 
measures recommended by MERPAC and has developed a final set that we 
are proposing here for use as guidelines for assessing that 
proficiency.
    The guidelines are set up as follows: First we set forth the 
Competency within the STCW a mariner must demonstrate to meet the STCW 
section. Next we give a series of examples of Performance Conditions, a 
set of Performance Behaviors for each Performance Condition, and a set 
of Performance Standards for each Performance Behavior.
    For example, if the Competency to demonstrate is: ``Demonstrate the 
ability to transmit and receive information using GMDSS sub-systems and 
equipment and fulfilling the functional requirements of GMDSS,'' a 
Performance Condition for that Competency demonstrating knowledge, 
understanding, and proficiency is: Given an EPIRB, when asked, or on a 
written multiple choice examination, * * *
    A Performance Behavior for that Condition is: * * * the candidate 
will explain the results of the test of a unit that is operating 
properly.
    A Performance Standard for that Behavior is: The candidate 
correctly explains or selects the answer that correctly describes the 
test results and indications.
    If the mariner properly meets all of the Performance Standards, he 
or she passes the practical demonstration. If he or she fails to 
properly carry out any of the Standards, he or she fails it.

Why Is the Coast Guard Taking This Action?

    The Coast Guard is taking this action to comply with STCW, as 
amended in 1995 and incorporated into domestic regulations at 46 CFR 
parts 10, 12, and 15 in 1997. Guidance from the International Maritime 
Organization on shipboard assessments of proficiency suggests that 
Parties develop standards and measures of performance for practical 
tests as part of their programs for training and assessing seafarers.

How May I Participate in This Action?

    You may participate in this action by submitting comments and 
related material on the national performance measures proposed here. 
(Although the Coast Guard does not seek public comment on the measures 
recommended by MERPAC, as distinct from the measures proposed here, 
those measures are available on the Internet at the Homepage of MERPAC, 
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/advisory/merpac/merpac.htm). These measures 
are available on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, under this docket 
number [USCG 2002-12689]. They are also available from Mr. Gould where 
indicated under ADDRESSES. If you submit written comments please 
include--
    [sbull] Your name and address;
    [sbull] The docket number for this Notice [USCG 2002-12689];
    [sbull] The specific section of the performance measures to which 
each comment applies; and
    [sbull] The reason for each comment.
    You may mail, deliver, fax, or electronically submit your comments 
and related material to the Docket Management Facility, using an 
address or fax number listed in ADDRESSES. Please do not submit the 
same comment or material more than once. If you mail or deliver your 
comments and material, they must be on 8\1/2\-by-11-inch paper, and the 
quality of the copy should be clear enough for copying and scanning. If 
you mail your comments and material and would like to know whether the 
Docket Management Facility received them, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope. The Coast Guard will consider all 
comments and material received during the 60-day comment period.
    Once we have considered all comments and related material, we will 
publish a final version of the national performance measures for use as 
guidelines by the general public. Individuals and institutions 
assessing the competence of mariners may refine the final version of 
these measures and develop innovative alternatives. If you vary from 
the final version of these measures, however, you must submit your 
alternative to the National Maritime Center for approval by the Coast 
Guard under 46 CFR 10.303(e) before you use it as part of an approved 
course or training program.

    Dated: August 28, 2002.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director of Standards, Marine Safety, Security & Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 02-23402 Filed 9-12-02; 8:45 am]
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