[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79764-79765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32809]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number MARAD-2011-0163]


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 111-281, 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 timeframe. 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 January 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: U.S.-flag vessel nominations should refer to docket number 
MARAD-2011-0163. Written nominations may be

[[Page 79765]]

submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30 West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 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: Michael Hokana, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR-730 Room W21-304, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone (202) 366-0760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Maritime Administration has received a 
request from an attorney on behalf of a client seeking permission to 
charter a foreign-flag ice-classed A3 anchor handling vessel adjacent 
to the coast of Alaska. The foreign-flag anchor handling vessel (TOR 
VIKING II 9199622) would operate in the Beaufort Sea or Chukchi Sea 
adjacent to Alaska, under certain conditions, and for a limited period 
of time. Section 306 of Public Law 111-281 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 a foreign-flag vessel 
in this regard, if suitable and available U.S.-flag vessels are not 
otherwise identified. Our determination will be for a period of one 
year from April 30, 2012 through April 30, 2013, but may be extended 
based on the demonstration of a binding commitment to acquire U.S.-flag 
replacement vessels. Foreign-flag anchor handling vessels may not be 
employed for the setting, relocation or recovery of anchors or other 
mooring equipment of a mobile offshore drilling unit after December 31, 
2017.

     Dated: December 15, 2011.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Julie P. Agarwal,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-32809 Filed 12-21-11; 8:45 am]
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