[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 152 (Monday, August 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39992-39993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19059]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information 
Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and

[[Page 39993]]

approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well 
as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day 
comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of 
information was published on April 6, 2009. A comment dated June 5, 
2009 was received, suggesting that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) 
amend its forms MA-29, MA-29A and MA-29B (Vessel Transfer Forms) to 
reference the applicability of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), 
and 40 CFR 761.97, thereby reflecting the statutory and regulatory 
constraints regarding the export of United States documented vessels 
for scrapping or refit outside the United States.
    MARAD was given the mandate to (a) approve the transfer (the term 
transfer includes the sale, lease, charter, or agreement to sell, lease 
or charter to a person not a citizen of the United States) (46 U.S.C. 
5610) of a United States documented vessel to a person who is not a 
citizen of the United States, and (b) approve the placement of a United 
States documented vessel under foreign registry and/or the operation of 
a United States documented vessel under the authority of a foreign 
country by a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Federal 
agencies generally may perform only those duties authorized by statute.
    MARAD's forms collect the information we require to make a decision 
regarding the mandated transfer approvals. To collect additional 
information on the Vessel Transfer Forms would exceed our mandated 
authority.
    In order to deal with the issue of vessels being transferred for 
scrapping outside the United States, we have instituted a procedure of 
providing written notification to the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) of all foreign vessel transfer approvals at the time they are 
issued by the MARAD (Letter dated April 2, 2008, from Maritime 
Administrator to the Administrator of the EPA.). This will provide 
information to the EPA on where and when any demolition will take 
place. In addition, when an application for transfer includes a vessel 
leaving the U.S. registry for subsequent foreign disposal, the owner 
and/or buyer of the vessel are advised that the vessel may be subject 
to the TSCA and EPA implementing regulations.

DATES: Comments for this notice must be submitted on or before 
September 9, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jerome Davis, Maritime 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone: 202-366-0688; or E-Mail: [email protected]. Copies of 
this collection also can be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Maritime Administration (MARAD).
    Title: Request for Transfer of Ownership, Registry, and Flag, or 
Charter, Lease, or Mortgage of U.S.-Citizen Owned Documented Vessels.
    OMB Control Number: 2133-0006.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Vessel owners who have applied for foreign 
transfer of U.S.-flag vessels.
    Forms: MA-29, MA-29A, MA-29B (Note: MA-29A is used only in cases of 
a National emergency).
    Abstract: This collection provides information necessary for MARAD 
to approve the sale, transfer, charter, lease, or mortgage of U.S. 
documented vessels to non-citizens, or the transfer of such vessels to 
foreign registry and flag, or the transfer of foreign flag vessels by 
their owners as required by various contractual requirements. The 
information will enable MARAD to determine whether the vessel proposed 
for transfer will initially require retention under the U.S.-flag 
statutory regulations.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 120 hours.
    Addresses: Send comments to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention MARAD Desk Officer.
    Comments Are Invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

    Authority:  49 CFR 1.66.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: July 30, 2009.
Murray Bloom,
Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-19059 Filed 8-7-09; 8:45 am]
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