[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 79029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32645]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Part 540

[Docket No. 02-15]


Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Upon consideration of several requests, the Commission has 
determined to extend the comment period in this matter.

DATES: Comments are now due on April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this proposed rule to: 
Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., Room 1046, Washington, DC 20573-0001, E-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sandra L. Kusumoto, Director, Bureau of Consumer Complaints and 
Licensing; Federal Maritime Commission, 202-523-5787; E-mail 
[email protected].

or

Ronald D. Murphy, Commission Dispute Resolution Specialist And Deputy 
Director, Bureau of Consumer Complaints and Licensing; (202) 523-5787; 
E-mail: [email protected].

or

David R. Miles, Acting General Counsel, (202) 523-5740; E-mail: 
[email protected]; Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20573-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission by Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking published October 31, 2002, 67 FR 66352, proposed amendments 
to its passenger vessel regulations at 46 CFR part 540 that would 
eliminate the current ceiling on required performance coverage; adjust 
the amount of coverage required by providing for consideration of the 
obligations of credit card issuers; provide for the use of Alternative 
Dispute Resolution (``ADR''), including the Commission's ADR program, 
in resolving passenger performance claims; revise the application form; 
and make a number of technical adjustments to the performance and 
casualty rules.
    Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Norwegian Cruise Line; the Travel 
Industry Association of America; the Florida Ports Council; Crystal 
Cruises; the Port of San Diego Unified Port District; Cruise the West 
and its Members; Congressmen Don Young, Chairman and James L. Oberstar, 
Ranking Democratic Member, of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives; and Disney Cruise 
Line are seeking an extension of time, up to 90 days beyond the current 
due date of January 8, 2003, to file comments. In support of this 
request, they argue, inter alia, that an extension would give the 
industry time to adequately evaluate the NPRM and to obtain the cost 
data the Commission encouraged commenters to submit. In anticipation of 
receiving cost and other data relevant to this NPRM, the Commission has 
determined to grant the parties request and is extending the comment 
period to April 8, 2003.

    By the Commission.
Bryant L. VanBrakle,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-32645 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P