[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51078-51079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17192]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG-2005-22235]


Towing Safety Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Licensing Implementation Working Group of the Towing 
Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet to discuss matters relating 
to specific issues of towing safety. The meeting will be open to the 
public.

DATES: The Licensing Implementation Working Group will meet via 
teleconference on Friday, September 2, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 
approximately 12 noon EDT. Written material and requests to make oral 
presentations should reach the TSAC working group Chairperson on or 
before August 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The Working Group will meet via conference call only. 
Contact Ms. Jennifer Carpenter, working group Chairperson, or her 
assistant, Ms. Amy Hewett at 703-841-9300 for the conference call 
telephone number and access code. Send written material and requests to 
make oral presentations to Ms. Jennifer Carpenter; American Waterways 
Operators; 801 North Quincy Street, Suite 200; Arlington, VA 22209. 
This notice and related documents are available on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov under the docket number USCG-2005-22235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general TSAC information you may 
also contact Mr. Gerald Miante, Assistant Executive Director of TSAC, 
telephone 202-267-0214, fax 202-267-4570, or e-mail 
[email protected]. If you plan to participate in this meeting, 
please notify both Mr. Miante and either Ms. Carpenter or Ms. Hewett by 
August 30, 2005.

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 Working Group Meeting

    The agenda for the Licensing Working Group tentatively includes the 
following items:
    (1) Time frame flexibility--
     Credit apprentice mate/steersman time at higher rate if 
individual is carried as an extra person;
     Model course;
    (2) Combine inland and Western Rivers routes;
    (3) Ability to upgrade from tonnage-limited Master of Towing 
Vessels to Master of Towing Vessels without tonnage Limitation;
    (4) Require towing endorsement for Master of Steam or Motor Vessels 
of Not More Than 500 Gross Tons. (Current regs allow Master 500 to 
operate towing vessels if he/she has either a towing endorsement or a 
completed Towing Officer's Assessment Record (TOAR.);
    (5) Clarify how Master of Towing Vessels can obtain a Standards of 
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificate if needed;
    (6) Reconcile apparent discrepancies between licensing regulations 
and Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 4-01 Licensing and 
Manning for Officers of Towing Vessels re. TOAR format;
    (7) Clarify TOAR requirements for harbor tug operators. Can certain 
items be marked ``Not Applicable'' (N/A)?;
    (8) Reconsider elements that may prolong time needed to complete a 
TOAR (e.g., operate in high water, high wind.);
    (9) Work with the Coast Guard to develop a communications plan 
aimed at mariners; and
    (10) Proposed changes to NVIC 4-01. A letter proposing changes is 
attached; the NVIC can be found on-line at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/index00.htm#2001.

Procedural

    The meeting is open to the public. Please note that the meeting may 
close early if all business is finished. At the Chair's discretion, 
members of the public may make oral presentations during the meeting. 
If you would like to make an oral presentation at the meeting, please 
notify the working group Chairperson (as provided above in ADDRESSES no 
later than August 30,

[[Page 51079]]

2005. Written material for distribution at the meeting should reach the 
Chairperson no later than August 30, 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 meeting, contact 
Ms. Carpenter or Ms. Hewett at the number listed in ADDRESSES as soon 
as possible.

    Dated: August 25, 2005.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Marine Safety, Security and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 05-17192 Filed 8-25-05; 12:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P