[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17504-17505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8615]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0271]


Towing Safety Advisory Committee; Meetings

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and its working 
groups on the Revision of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 
(NVIC) 04-01, and on the Clarification of Current Licensing Regulations 
pertaining to Apprentice Mates (Steersmen) will meet in Dania Beach, 
FL. The Committee will also discuss various issues relating to shallow-
draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. All 
meetings will be open to the public.

DATES: The working groups will meet on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, from 8 
a.m. to 5 p.m. The full TSAC Committee will meet on, Thursday, May 7, 
2009, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. These meetings may close early if all 
business is finished. Written material and requests to make oral 
presentations at the meetings should reach the Coast Guard on or before 
April 24, 2009. Requests to have a copy of your material distributed to 
each member of the Committee or working groups should reach the Coast 
Guard electronically on or before April 24, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The working groups and TSAC will meet at the American 
Maritime Officers STAR Center; 2 West Dixie Highway, Dania Beach, FL 
33004; Phone: 954-921-7254. TSAC is utilizing the Ft. Lauderdale 
International Airport (FLL) which is nearby.
    Send written material and requests to make oral presentations to 
TSAC's Assistant Designated Federal Officer (ADFO) in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section below. This notice is available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov under the docket number USCG-
2009-0271.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald P. Miante, ADFO, TSAC; U.S. 
Coast Guard Headquarters, CG-5221, Room 1210; 2100 Second Street, SW.,

[[Page 17505]]

Washington, DC 20593-0001. Telephone (202) 372-1401, fax (202) 372-
1926, or e-mail at: [email protected].

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

Agenda of Meetings

    NVIC 04-01 Working Group. The agenda for the working group is to 
discuss possible revisions to NVIC 04-01, Licensing and Manning for 
Officers of Towing Vessels, including the enclosures on the Towing 
Officer Assessment Records (TOARs). The current version of the NVIC can 
be viewed at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/index00.htm#2001.
    Working Group for Clarification of Current Licensing Regulations 
pertaining to Apprentice Mates (Steersmen). In the wake of the recent 
collision between the towing vessel Mel Oliver and tanker Tintomara, 
TSAC will study and clarify current regulations and develop Best 
Practices for Apprentice Mates/Steersman Training Programs.
    Towing Safety Advisory Committee. The tentative agenda for the 
Committee is as follows:
    (1) Update of the Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group;
    (2) Update on Commercial/Recreational Boating Interface;
    (3) Report on the Review and Recommendations for the Revision of 
NVIC 4-01 ``Licensing and Manning for Officers of Towing Vessels;''
    (4) Report on the Review and Recommendations for the Clarification 
of Current Licensing Regulations pertaining to Apprentice Mates 
(Steersmen);
    (5) Update on National Maritime Center (NMC) activities;
    (6) Presentation on Automatic Identification System/Advance Notice 
of Arrival (AIS/ANA);
    (8) Presentation on the Transportation Worker Identification 
Credential (TWIC); and
    (9) Presentation on Bridging Strategy and Towing Vessel Center of 
Expertise.

Procedural

    All meetings are open to the public. Please note that the meetings 
may close 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 the ADFO no later than April 24, 2009. Written material (20 
copies) for distribution at a meeting should reach the Coast Guard no 
later than April 24, 2009. If you would like a copy of your material 
distributed to each member of the Committee or Working Groups in 
advance of a meeting, please submit it electronically to the ADFO, for 
e-mail distribution, no later than April 24, 2009. Also at the Chair's 
discretion, members of the public may present comment at the end of the 
Public Meeting. Please understand that the Committee's schedule may be 
quite demanding and time for public comment may be limited.

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 
the ADFO as soon as possible.

    Dated: April 9, 2009.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. E9-8615 Filed 4-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P