[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 188 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56999-57000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8306]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG 2006-25522]


Exercise of Authority To Require Pilots To Submit Annual Physical 
Examinations

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: By this notice, the Coast Guard is exercising authority 
currently set forth in Coast Guard regulations to require all first 
class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and other individuals 
who ``serve as'' pilots on certain types of vessels greater than 1600 
gross registered tons (GRT), to provide a copy of their annual physical 
examination to the Coast Guard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stewart A. Walker, National 
Maritime Center. Phone: 202-493-1022, e-mail: 
[email protected].

DATES: All first class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and 
other individuals who ``serve as'' pilots on certain types of vessels 
greater than 1600 GRT (as described in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
below), must submit a copy of their most recent annual physical 
examination to the Coast Guard on or before December 27, 2006. After 
that, pilots must submit a copy of their annual physical examination to 
the Coast Guard no later than 30 calendar days after completion of the 
physical examination each year. The annual physical examination must, 
by regulation, be completed within 30 calendar days of the anniversary 
date of the individual's most recent satisfactorily completed physical 
examination.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice implements the recommendation 
made the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in their report 
on the 2003 allision of the Staten Island Ferry ANDREW J. BARBERI, that 
the Coast Guard require submission of annual pilot physicals. The Coast 
Guard agrees with the NTSB that it is not effective to require pilots 
to undergo annual physical examinations without an affirmative 
obligation for pilots to actually submit them to the Coast Guard for 
review.
    Title 46 CFR 10.709 already requires that first class pilots on 
vessels of 1600 GRT or more provide the Coast Guard with a copy of 
their most recent annual physical examination upon request, and that 
this physical examination must meet the requirements specified in Title 
46 CFR 10.205(d). This includes those individuals who ``serve as'' 
pilots in accordance with Title 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c). Individuals 
who ``serve as'' pilots on vessels of not more than 1600 GRT in 
accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(2) do not have an annual physical 
examination requirement.
    This document serves as the request, pursuant to the authority set 
forth in 46 CFR 10.709(e), that all first class pilots on vessels 
greater than 1600 GRT, and all other individuals who ``serve as'' 
pilots in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c), provide a copy of 
their annual physical examination to the Coast Guard.
    The report of physical examination should be submitted to the 
Regional Examination Center (REC) which issued the mariner's license. 
The report of physical examination will be reviewed by the Coast Guard 
in accordance with the standards in 46 CFR 10.205(d), as supplemented 
by the guidance contained in Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 
(NVIC) 2-98, ``Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner's 
Documents and Licenses'' or any superseding NVIC revising or replacing 
NVIC 2-98.
    The Coast Guard may initiate appropriate administrative action in 
the event any first class pilot--or any other individual ``serving as'' 
a pilot (as described above)--does not meet the

[[Page 57000]]

physical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR 10.205(d), up to 
and including suspension or revocation of the mariner's credential in 
accordance with Title 46 CFR Part 5. The Coast Guard may also initiate 
appropriate administrative action, up to and including suspension or 
revocation of the mariner's credential in accordance with 46 CFR Part 
5, if any first class pilot--or any other individual ``serving as'' a 
pilot (as described above)--fails to submit their annual physical 
examination to the Coast Guard.
    Individuals with pilot licenses, pilot endorsements, master 
licenses and mate licenses (and individuals applying for those 
credentials) who do not in fact serve as a first class pilot or 
otherwise ``serve as'' a pilot in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & 
(c) do not need to submit an annual physical examination to the Coast 
Guard pursuant to 46 CFR 10.709(e); however, these individuals must 
submit an annual physical examination before serving as a first class 
pilot or otherwise ``serving as'' a pilot in accordance with 46 CFR 
15.812(b)(3) & (c).

    Dated: September 21, 2006.
J. G. Lantz,
Director of National and International Standards, Assistant Commandant 
for Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06-8306 Filed 9-22-06; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P