[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 62 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16955-16956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6567]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD 2008 0029]


Use of Foreign-Flag Anchor Handling Vessels in the Beaufort Sea 
or Chukchi Sea Adjacent to Alaska

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As authorized by Public Law 109-347, the Secretary of 
Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration, is 
authorized to make determinations permitting the use of foreign-flag 
anchor handling vessels in certain cases (and for a limited period of 
time) if no U.S.-flag vessels are found to be suitable and reasonably 
available.
    A request for such a determination regarding anchor handling 
vessels with a minimum ice class A3 has been received by the Maritime 
Administration. If the Maritime Administration determines that U.S.-
flag vessels are not suitable and reasonably available for the proposed 
service, a determination will be granted allowing for the conditional 
use of these vessels, within a set time frame. Those interested in 
providing the names of suitable and available vessels for the proposed 
service should refer to the docket number, and identify the U.S.-flag 
vessels available.

DATES: Submit U.S.-flag anchor handling ice class A3 or above vessel 
nominations on or before April 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: U.S.-flag vessel nominations should refer to docket number 
MARAD 2008 0029. Written nominations may be submitted by hand or by 
mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
You may also send documents electronically via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. All submissions will become part of this docket 
and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address 
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An electronic version of this document, and all documents 
entered into this docket, is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas W. Harrelson, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR-730, Room W21-314, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-5515.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Maritime Administration has received a 
request from an attorney on behalf of a client seeking permission to 
charter foreign-flag ice-classed A3 anchor handling vessels adjacent to 
the coast of Alaska. The two foreign-flag anchor handling vessels 
(VLADIMIR

[[Page 16956]]

IGNATYUK 8127804 and JIM KILABUK 7420754) would 
operate in the Beaufort Sea or Chukchi Sea adjacent to Alaska, under 
certain conditions, and for a limited period of time. Section 705 of 
Pub.L. 109-347 allows the use of foreign-flag vessels in this regard if 
the Maritime Administration determines that U.S.-flag vessels are not 
suitable or reasonably available.
    The Maritime Administration is posting this notice in the Federal 
Register providing the public 30 days notice of our intention to 
provide a determination allowing for the use of foreign-flag vessels in 
this regard, if suitable and available U.S.-flag vessels are not 
otherwise identified. The Maritime Administration's determination will 
be for the period through December 31, 2009.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: March 25, 2008.
Christine Gurland,
Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-6567 Filed 3-28-08; 8:45 am]
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