[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3863-3864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1787]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 012203A]


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Northeast 
Region Vessel Monitoring and Communications

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

[[Page 3864]]

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Hannah Goodale at 508-281-9101, or to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Owners or operators of vessels that have caught 500 metric tons of 
herring in the past year, or intend to catch 500 metric tons in the 
current year, must equip their vessels with an approved Vessel 
Monitoring System (VMS). The VMS units automatically report the 
vessel's position at least once per hour when the vessel is underway. 
Vessel owners must submit proof that the VMS has been installed. 
Herring carriers may be exempted from this requirement by obtaining a 
letter of authorization from NOAA.

II. Method of Collection

    Position reports are automated and automatic. Proof of installation 
is mailed to NOAA. A letter of authorization can be requested by phone.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0404.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, 
individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour to install a VMS; 2 minutes for 
submission of proof of installation; 5 seconds for an automated 
position report from the VMS or transponder system (10 minutes if an 
Inmarsat communication unit is used to transmit the data); and 2 
minutes for a request for a letter of authorization exemption.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 816.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $298,000.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 17, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-1787 Filed 1-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S