[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3719-3721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00495]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Docket No. 161018975-6975-01]


Privacy Act of 1974, Amended System of Records

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

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

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Title 
5 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) sections 552a(e)(4) and (11); and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Appendix I, 
``Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About 
Individuals,'' the Department of Commerce (Department) is issuing a 
notice of intent to establish an amended system of records entitled, 
``COMMERCE/NOAA-20, Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) 
406 MHz Emergency Beacon Registration Database.'' Amendments (updates) 
were made to the Addresses, Supplementary Information, Routine Uses and 
Storage sections.
    SARSAT is responsible for keeping and maintaining a registration 
database for 406 MHz emergency beacons as directed by the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC). This database contains personally 
identifiable information that is required to be protected by the 
Privacy Act, as amended. The purpose of 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 provides the Rescue Coordination 
Center (RCC) and Mission Control Center (MCC) with the identity of the 
individual(s) they are searching for, contact information so that the 
RCC can determine whether or not the beacon has been activated as the 
result of an actual emergency, and information about the vessel or 
aircraft. The registration information allows the RCC and MCC to 
resolve a distress case by telephone instead of wasting valuable 
resources responding to false alerts. Information may be provided to or 
received from international registration authorities to ensure 
registration information resides in the correct database based on the 
country code of the beacon or the mailing address of the beacon owner. 
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. The completed forms also contain 
personal identifiable information that is required to be protected by 
the Privacy Act. We invite public comment on the amended system in this 
publication.

DATES: To be considered, written comments must be submitted on or 
before February 13, 2017. Unless comments are received, the amended 
system of records will become effective as proposed on February 21, 
2017. If comments are received, the Department will publish a 
subsequent notice in the Federal Register within 10 days after the 
comment period closes, stating that the current system of records will 
remain in effect until publication of a final action in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: NOAA SARSAT, NSOF E/SPO53, 1315 
East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NOAA SARSAT, NSOF E/SPO53, 1315 East 
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's (NOAA's) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and 
Information Service (NESDIS) is revising its system of records for 
SARSAT, which 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, 
two-factor authentication for internal System Administrators, 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:
    U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304

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:
    Personal Identifiable Information: Beacon Unique Identifier Number 
(Beacon ID), beacon category, beacon manufacturer, beacon model; owner 
name, owner address, owner email address, owner telephone number by 
home, work, cellular, and fax; and name

[[Page 3720]]

and telephone number of primary/alternate 24-hour emergency contact. 
Additional categories specifically for:
    a. 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;
    b. ELT registrations--aircraft information including registration 
(tail) number, type, manufacturer, model, color, seating capacity, 
radio equipment, survival equipment, principal airport; and
    c. PLB registrations--general use data including usage, specific 
usage, and type.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    This system of records is consistent with 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.

Purposes:
    The records are maintained and used to 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 SAR controllers as 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 or records maintained by the 
Department to carry out its functions 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, as a routine use, 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, as a 
routine use, to a Federal, state or local agency maintaining civil, 
criminal or other relevant enforcement information or other pertinent 
information, such as current licenses, if necessary to obtain 
information relevant to a Department decision concerning the 
assignment, hiring or retention of an individual, the issuance of a 
security clearance, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a 
license, grant or other benefit.
    5. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, to a Federal, state, local, or international agency, in 
response to its request, in connection with the assignment, hiring or 
retention of an individual, the issuance of a security clearance, the 
reporting of an investigation of an individual, the letting of a 
contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other benefit by the 
requesting agency, to the extent that the information is relevant and 
necessary to the requesting agency's decision on the matter.
    6. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, in the course of presenting evidence to a court, 
magistrate or administrative tribunal, including disclosures to 
opposing counsel in the course of settlement negotiations.
    7. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, 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.
    8. A record in this system of records which contains medical 
information may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the medical advisor 
of any individual submitting a request for access to the record under 
the Act and 15 CFR part 4b if, in the sole judgment of the Department, 
disclosure could have an adverse effect upon the individual, under the 
provision of 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3) and implementing regulations at 15 CFR 
4b26.
    9. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, to the Office of Management and Budget in connection with 
the review of private relief legislation as set forth in OMB Circular 
No. A-19 at any stage of the legislative coordination and clearance 
process as set forth in that Circular.
    10. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, to the Department of Justice in connection with 
determining whether disclosure thereof is required by the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
    11. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, 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).
    12. A record in this system may be transferred, as a routine use, 
to the Office of Personnel Management: For personnel research purposes; 
as a data source for management information; for the production of 
summary descriptive statistics and analytical studies in support of the 
function for which the records are collected and maintained or for 
related manpower studies.
    13. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a 
routine use, to the Administrator, General Services Administration 
(GSA), or his designee, during an inspection of records conducted by 
GSA as part of that agency's responsibility to recommend improvements 
in records management practices and programs, under authority of 44 
U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with 
the GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this purpose, 
and any other relevant (i.e. GSA or Department) directive. Such 
disclosure shall not be used to make determinations about individuals.
    14. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to 
appropriate agencies, entities and persons when: (1) It is suspected or 
determined that the security or confidentiality of information in the 
system of records has been compromised; (2) the Department has 
determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise 
there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity 
theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or 
other systems or programs (whether maintained by the Department or 
another agency or entity) that rely upon the compromised information; 
and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is 
reasonably necessary to assist in connection with the Department's 
efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and to 
prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.

[[Page 3721]]

    15. A record in this system of records may be disclosed to student 
volunteers, individuals working under a personal services contract, and 
other workers who technically do not have the status of Federal 
employees, when they are performing work for the Department and/or its 
agencies, as authorized by law, as needed to perform their assigned 
Agency functions.

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 several layers of firewalls 
configured with the firm policy of denying all and allow only by 
exception, 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, 
the 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.

Safeguards:
    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 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 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.

Retention and disposal:
    NESDIS shall maintain its records in accordance with NOAA's Records 
Management Guide and Records Disposition Handbook, Departmental 
directives, and comprehensive records schedules.

System manager(s) and address:
    NOAA/SARSAT, NSOF E/SPO53, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910.

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 email or letter to update their information or 
to confirm that their information is correct.
    In accordance with the Department of Commerce regulations 
implementing the Privacy Act, at Title 15 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 4, subpart B--Privacy Act, individuals interested in 
determining if the system contains their name should direct their 
Privacy Act request to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Public Reference Facility, OFA56, 1315 East West 
Highway (SSMC3), Room 10730, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

Record access procedures:
    Individuals with information in the database have the ability to 
review and 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 NOAA/SARSAT, 
NSOF E/SPO53, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Record source categories:
    The individual on whom the record is maintained provides 
information to NOAA by either the Web site 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.

Michael J. Toland,
Department of Commerce, Deputy Chief Officer, Department Privacy Act 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-00495 Filed 1-11-17; 8:45 am]
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