[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 11682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4622]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG-2005-20463]


Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) and 
its working groups will meet to discuss various issues relating to the 
training and fitness of merchant marine personnel. MERPAC advises the 
Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to the training, 
qualifications, licensing, and certification of seamen serving in the 
U.S. merchant marine. All meetings will be open to the public.

DATES: MERPAC will meet on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
These meetings may adjourn early if all business is finished. Requests 
to make oral presentations should reach the Coast Guard on or before 
March 22, 2005. Written material and requests to have a copy of your 
material distributed to each member of the committee or subcommittee 
should reach the Coast Guard on or before March 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: MERPAC will meet on both days in the Classroom Building 
Auditorium of the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School, 27050 St. Michaels 
Road, Easton, MD 21601. Further directions regarding the location of 
the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School may be obtained by contacting 410-
822-9600. Send written material and requests to make oral presentations 
to Mr. Mark Gould, Commandant (G-MSO-1), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 
2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. This notice is 
available on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice, contact 
Mr. Gould, Assistant to the Executive Director, telephone 202-267-6890, 
fax 202-267-4570, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these meetings is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 
Stat. 770, as amended).

Agenda of Meeting on April 5, 2005

    The full committee will meet to discuss the objectives for the 
meeting. The working groups addressing the following task statements 
may meet to deliberate: Task Statement 30, concerning utilizing 
military sea service for STCW certifications; Task Statement 47, 
concerning recommendations on knowledge and practical qualifications 
for engineers at the operational and management levels to serve on 
steam propelled vessels; Task Statement 48, concerning recommendations 
to develop training and service requirements for personnel with limited 
engineer licenses to obtain STCW OICEW and unlimited third assistant 
engineer licenses; and Task Statement 49, concerning recommendations 
for use of a model sea course project in conjunction with an approved 
program for officer in charge of an engineering watch coming up through 
the hawse pipe. In addition, new working groups may be formed to 
address issues proposed by the Coast Guard, MERPAC members, or the 
public. All task statements may be viewed at the MERPAC Web site at 
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/advisory/merpac/merpac.htm.
    At the end of the day, the working groups will make a report to the 
full committee on what has been accomplished in their meetings. No 
action will be taken on these reports on this date.

Agenda of Meeting on April 6, 2005

    The agenda comprises the following:
    (1) Introduction.
    (2) Working Groups' Reports:
    (a) Task Statement 30, concerning utilizing military sea service 
for STCW certifications;
    (b) Task Statement 47, concerning recommendations on knowledge and 
practical qualifications for engineers at the operational and 
management levels to serve on steam propelled vessels;
    (c) Task Statement 48, concerning recommendations to develop 
training and service requirements for personnel with limited engineer 
licenses to obtain STCW OICEW and unlimited third assistant engineer 
licenses;
    (d) Task Statement 49, concerning recommendations for use of a 
model sea course project in conjunction with an approved program for 
officer in charge of an engineering watch coming up through the hawse 
pipe, and
    (e) Other task statements which may have been adopted for 
discussion and action.
    (3) Other items to be discussed:
    (a) Standing Committee--Prevention Through People.
    (b) Briefings concerning on-going projects of interest to MERPAC.
    (c) Other items brought up for discussion by the committee or the 
public.

Procedural

    Both meetings are open to the public. Please note that the meetings 
may adjourn early if all business is finished. At the Chair's 
discretion, members of the public may make oral presentations during 
the meetings. If you would like to make an oral presentation at a 
meeting, please notify Mr. Gould no later than March 22, 2005. Written 
material for distribution at a meeting should reach the Coast Guard no 
later than March 22, 2005. If you would like a copy of your material 
distributed to each member of the committee or subcommittee in advance 
of the meeting, please submit 25 copies to Mr. Gould no later than 
March 22, 2005.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
Mr. Gould as soon as possible.

    Dated: March 1, 2005.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Marine Safety, Security and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 05-4622 Filed 3-8-05; 8:45 am]
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