[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37338-37339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15059]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2020-0187]


Proposed Distribution of Scheduled Navigation Safety Messages 
(Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by Mobile and Internet Methods

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to 
mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile 
devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this 
information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard 
broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio 
two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have 
included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication 
(RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The 
Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners 
prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to 
this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more 
timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners 
have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, 
because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be 
distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of 
congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the 
process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio 
broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or before August 16, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2020-0187 using the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the supplementary information section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
please call or email Eugene Diotalevi, Coast Guard Navigation Center; 
telephone: 703-313-5800; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments (or related material) on the 
Coast Guard's proposal to distribute and make available BNM information 
through mobile and web-based methods. We will consider all submissions 
received before the comment period closes. If you submit a comment, 
please include the docket number for this notice, indicate the specific 
section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a 
reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using the portal, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions. Documents mentioned in this notice, and all public 
comments, are in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and 
can be viewed by following that website's instructions. Additionally, 
if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will 
be notified when comments are posted.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and 
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System 
of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).

Abbreviations

BNM Broadcast Notice to Mariners
VHF Very High Frequency
RSS Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication

Discussion

    In a previous notice (85 FR 32408, May 29, 2020), the Coast Guard 
provided an overview of the existing practice of distributing broadcast 
notices to mariners through routing broadcasts on VHF marine radio, and 
described new methods of digital access to this information that was 
being made available through web and mobile means. The Coast Guard 
received two comments on the May 29, 2020 this notice; both viewed the 
Coast Guard's initiative favorably. One comment, from a recognized 
maritime industry association, expressed support for the Coast Guard's 
plans to expand options for access to this information, indicating, 
``its enactment will have a positive impact on reaching a greater 
number of mariners, expanded convenience, and improved timeliness of 
distribution.''
    Since publication of the May 29, 2020 notice, the Coast Guard has 
expanded the improved access beyond the Fifth Coast Guard District, 
where the system was being tested. The Coast Guard has also been 
actively soliciting feedback about the program through meetings

[[Page 37339]]

with maritime industry groups and local harbor safety committees and 
through public surveys. Information gathered indicates that the 
maritime public finds the new mobile and web access valuable and 
worthwhile. Mariners also told the Coast Guard that they did not find 
the existing routine VHF broadcasts to be very valuable; rather, the 
broadcasts, which are typically announced on VHF channel 16 and then 
switched to channel 22, were frequently noted as bothersome, because 
they tended to crowd out more valuable marine radio traffic on both VHF 
channels, creating ``radio clutter.''
    The Coast Guard is now considering phasing out routine VHF 
broadcasts in locations where digital mobile and web access is made 
available, and is seeking public comment. Before broadcasts in any 
particular location are phased out, mariners can anticipate that the 
Coast Guard will thoroughly announce and remind mariners about how to 
access the information by the new web and mobile methods. Only routine 
broadcasts are being considered for phase out; the Coast Guard will 
continue to choose to broadcast urgent and safety broadcasts on VHF as 
necessary.
    This notice is issued under the authority of 14 U.S.C. 504(a)(16) 
and 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: July 6, 2021.
Michael D. Emerson,
Director, Marine Transportation Systems.
[FR Doc. 2021-15059 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am]
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