[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73043-73044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28719]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Mariner 
Opinions of the Right Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting System

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 9, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kristy Wallmo, 301-427-8190 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is an 
endangered marine mammal found primarily in waters off the northeastern 
coast of the United States to Canada. Fatal collisions with large ships 
are the primary threat to the recovery of this species. In 1998 the 
United States proposed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 
the establishment of two Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) systems in key 
right whale habitat areas. Under the proposed MSR all vessels 300 gross 
tons or greater are required to send a message to a shore-based station 
when entering either of two prescribed habitat areas. The IMO endorsed 
the proposal and the MSR systems were established in July 1999. Each 
reporting ship is required to provide vessel name, call sign, course, 
speed, location, destination, and route (e.g., waypoints). An 
automatically-generated message is sent directly to the reporting 
vessel that includes information on right whale locations and 
procedural guidance to help prevent vessel/whale collisions; mariners 
are also informed about additional regulations established to protect 
whales from vessel strikes. The two-way exchange is mediated by 
satellite-linked communications systems.
    Although the program has been in effect for over 15 years, the U.S. 
Government has not assessed the role, if any, that the MSR has in 
reducing ship collisions with right whales. In addition, mariners have 
not been polled to assess possible difficulties involved in the 
reporting itself. The goal of this information collection is to 
determine if (a) the reporting procedures are adequately clear to the 
mariner; (b) the reporting itself is onerous or unwieldy

[[Page 73044]]

(e.g., it may interfere with other vessel operations); and (c) mariners 
use the information being sent to them and if so, how it is used to 
avoid collisions with North Atlantic right whales.

II. Method of Collection

    This will be a web-based survey.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (request for a new information 
collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 167.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 3, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-28719 Filed 12-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P