[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 75 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20912-20914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8241]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

[Docket No. 080404526-8528-01]


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of a new Privacy Act System of Records: COMMERCE/NOAA 
System-20, Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) 406 MHz 
Emergency Beacon Registration Database.

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SUMMARY: The Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) is 
responsible for keeping and maintaining a registration database for 406 
MHz emergency beacons as directed by the Federal Communication 
Commission (FCC). This database contains personally identifiable 
information that is required to be protected by the Privacy Act. The 
purpose for this system of records is to provide search and rescue 
(SAR) authorities with information about the user of the beacon such as 
the name, phone number, and emergency contact information. This 
information allows SAR authorities to shorten response times, and it 
provides a way to cancel false alerts quickly and safely; thereby, 
increasing safety for SAR authorities and decreasing costs to the 
government and the SAR system.

DATES: Comment Date: To be considered, written comments on the proposed 
new system of records must be submitted on or before May 19, 2008.
    Effective Date: Unless comments are received, the new system of 
records will become effective as proposed on the date of publication of 
a subsequent notice in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: LT. Jeffrey Shoup, SARSAT 
Operations Support Officer, 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746-
4304.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT. Jeffrey Shoup, SARSAT Operations 
Support Officer, 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SARSAT is required by the FCC under 47 CFR 
parts 80, 87, and 95 to maintain a registration for emergency beacons 
that operate on the 406 MHz frequency. SARSAT has not found any 
probable or potential adverse effects of the proposal on the privacy of 
individuals. To minimize the risk of unauthorized access to the system 
of records, electronic data will be stored securely with access 
password protected and limited to those SARSAT program employees whose 
official duties require access.
COMMERCE/NOAA-20

System Name:
    Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) 406 MHz 
Emergency Beacon Registration Database.

Security Classification:
    None.

System Location:
    NOAA/SARSAT, E/SP3, NSOF, 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746.

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System:
    Owners of 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons 
(EPIRBs), 406 MHz Emergency Location Transmitters (ELTs), 406 MHz 
Personnel Locator Beacons (PLBs), and 406 MHz Ship Security Alerting 
System (SSAS) Beacons.

Categories of Records in the System:
    Beacon Unique Identifier Number (Beacon ID), beacon category, 
beacon manufacturer, beacon model; owner name, owner address, owner e-
mail address, owner telephone number by home, work, cellular, and fax; 
and name and telephone number of primary/alternate 24-hour emergency 
contact. Additional categories specifically for:
    EPIRBs and SSAS beacon registrations--vessel information including 
usage, type, name, color, survival and radio equipment, vessel 
telephone numbers with call sign, Inmarsat number, cellular and MMSI 
number, federal/state registration number, length, capacity, and 
homeport; ELT registrations--aircraft information including 
registration (tail) number, type, manufacturer, model, color, seating 
capacity, radio equipment, survival equipment, principal airport; and
    PLB registrations--general use data including usage, specific 
usage, and type.

Authority for Maintenance of the System:
    47 CFR parts 80, 87, and 95. The system is also authorized by the 
U.S. Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Control Number: OMB 0648-0295.

Purpose(s):
    This information will assist search and rescue forces in carrying 
out their mission of rescue assistance and false alert abatement.

Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories 
of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses:
    These records may be disclosed as follows:
    1. A record in this system of records is used when a beacon alert 
is received at the United States Mission Control Center (USMCC) from a 
registered beacon. The information kept in the database is 
automatically forwarded to rescue coordination centers operated by the 
United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, State Police/State 
SAR authority, or another foreign SARSAT Mission Control Center, should 
it be requested for use in a SAR case in a foreign search and rescue 
region. The information is used by search and rescue (SAR) controllers 
as

[[Page 20913]]

a tool to coordinate and resolve the SAR event.
    2. Every two years, NOAA uses the information in the database to 
alert beacon owners to update and renew their registration in the 
database.
    3. In the event that a system of records maintained by the 
Department to carry out its function indicates a violation or potential 
violation of law or contract, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in 
nature and whether arising by general statute or particular program 
statute or contract, or rule, regulation or order issued pursuant 
thereto, or the necessity to protect an interest of the Department, the 
relevant records in the system of records may be referred to the 
appropriate agency, whether federal, state, local or foreign, charged 
with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation 
or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute or contract, or 
rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto, or protecting the 
interest of the Department.
    4. A record from this system of records may be disclosed in the 
course of presenting evidence to a court, magistrate, or administrative 
tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel in the course of 
settlement negotiations.
    5. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to a Member 
of Congress submitting a request involving an individual when the 
individual has requested assistance from the Member with respect to the 
subject matter of the record.
    6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to a 
contractor of the Department having need for the information in the 
performance of the contract, but not operating a system of records 
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
    7. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to the 
Department of Justice in connection with determining whether the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) requires disclosure thereof.
    8. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to the 
appropriate manufacturer, medical authority, or law enforcement 
authority if the Department finds that it is in the best interest of 
the individual's safety.

Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies:
    None.

Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, 
and Disposing of Records in the System:
Storage:
    Computerized database stored behind open air firewall, electronic 
storage media, and paper records. All three mediums are retained in 
accordance with NOAA Records Disposition Handbook, Chapter 1404-02.

Retrievability:
    Records may be retrieved by unique beacon identification number, 
name of beacon owner, date of submittal, vessel name, aircraft name, or 
aircraft tail number; however, records can be accessed by any file 
element or any combination thereof.

Access:
    Due to the sensitive information stored in the registration 
database, access has been granted only to a limited number of personnel 
in accordance with this system of records routine uses provision. This 
access comes in four different categories; beacon owners, system 
administrators, SAR users, and vessel/aircraft inspectors.
     The beacon owner is granted access to his/her own 
registration information through the use of a user ID and an online 
password. Information can be accessed and updated by the beacon owner 
at any time.
     The system administrator consists of personnel at the 
USMCC who maintains and operates the registration database. Access to 
records is through the use of a user ID and an online password.
     The SAR user is limited to rescue coordination personnel 
responsible for SAR operations within internationally recognized SAR 
regions. Each individual SAR controller is issued a user ID and an 
online password. SAR controllers are given a view-only capability.
     The vessel or aircraft inspector is an approved 
representative of a federal agency charged with inspecting vessels or 
aircraft which includes verifying that the emergency beacons carried 
onboard the vessel or aircraft are properly registered. Each individual 
inspector is issued a user ID and an online password. Inspectors are 
given a view-only capability.
    Exceptions to the above categories can only be approved by the 
SARSAT Program Steering Group. Consideration for access to the database 
by a requesting individual/agency will be based in light of their 
overall contribution to the SAR mission versus balancing the individual 
beacon owner's right to privacy.

Safeguards:
    Operational controls--the SARSAT Beacon Registration Database 
Computer Systems are located at NOAA's USMCC facility in Suitland, 
Maryland. The facility has a uniformed guard service and the USMCC has 
key card controls limiting access to all production servers.
    Technical controls--access controls are implemented on the 
production equipment through the use of system user names and passwords 
as well as database user names and passwords. Access logs are 
maintained and reviewed for any improprieties. The entire database is 
covered by an intrusion detection system that monitors and detects any 
attempt to access or hack any part of the database. Communications with 
web users are by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to ensure safe 
transmission of information. In addition to the SSL, information that 
is sent to the database is transferred through two firewalls prior to 
storage and use in the USMCC. The computerized database is backed up 
daily and the information is housed in a Redundant Array of Independent 
Disks (RAID) shelf to minimize the risk of disk drive failure. Every 
month the data is backed up to tape and stored in a safe at an offsite 
location. The system is also certified and accredited according to 
federal guidelines.
    Hardcopy records are maintained in areas that are accessible only 
to authorized personnel and stored in accordance with NOAA Records 
Disposition Handbook.

Retention and Disposal:
    All records shall be retained and disposed of in accordance with 
NOAA Records Disposition Handbook, Chapter 1404-02, Departmental 
directives, and comprehensive records schedules.

System Manager(s) and Addresses:
    NOAA/SARSAT, E/SP3, NSOF, 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746.

Notification Procedure:
    Beacon owners are notified by letter once registration information 
has been put into the database. Every two years thereafter, beacon 
owners are contacted by e-mail or letter to update their information or 
to confirm that their information is correct.

Record Access Procedure:
    Requests from individuals regarding this system of records should 
be addressed to the system manager. Individuals with information in the 
database have the ability to review and

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update their own individual information on the internet at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. User ID and user password are set-up 
with initial Web registration or with a first visit to the Web site.

Contesting Record Procedures:
    Individual beacon owners have access to their database file and 
have the ability to update or correct information. Other issues are 
addressed by the system manager who can be contacted at the above 
address.

Record Source Categories:
    The individual on whom the record is maintained provides 
information to NOAA by either the website or mail. Existing 
registrations can be updated according to the above processes, by a 
phone call from the beacon owner, or by rescue coordination center 
controllers when updated information is collected while processing a 
case.

Exemptions Claimed for the System:
    None.

    Dated: April 11, 2003.
Brenda Dolan,
Department of Commerce, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-8241 Filed 4-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P