[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51224-51225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19808]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number MARAD-2021-0209]


Agency Request for Approval of a New Information Collection: 
Mariner Survey Pre-Test

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments 
about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval for a new information collection. This Mariner Survey 
Pre-Test collection provides for cognitive interviews and a pilot 
survey of a sample of appropriately credentialed U.S. merchant mariners 
to validate and improve the study design for a subsequent Mariner 
Survey.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by November 15, 2021. MARAD 
will consider comments filed after this date to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MARAD-2021-
0209 through one of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Search by using the docket number (provided above). Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on the electronic docket site.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200

[[Page 51225]]

New Jersey Avenue SE, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 of the Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number.

    Note: All comments received, including any personal information, 
will be posted without change to the docket and is accessible via 
http://www.regulations.gov . Input submitted online via 
www.regulations.gov is not immediately posted to the site. It may 
take several business days before your submission is posted.

    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
Room PL-401 of the Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays. The Federal Docket Management Facility's 
telephone number is 202-366-9826 or 202-366-9317, the fax number is 
202-493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Nuns Jain, Maritime 
Administration, at 757-322-5801 or by electronic mail at 
[email protected]. You may send mail to Nuns Jain at Maritime 
Administration, Building 19, Suite 300, 7737 Hampton Boulevard, 
Norfolk, Virginia 23505. If you have questions on viewing the Docket, 
call Docket Operations, telephone: 202-366-9826 or 202-366-9317.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Mariner Survey Pre-Test.
    OMB Control Number: 2133-NEW.
    Form Number: Not Applicable.
    Type of Review: New information collection.
    Background: This voluntary Mariner Survey Pre-Test information 
collection is limited to cognitive interviews and a pilot survey of a 
sample of appropriately credentialed U.S. merchant mariners to validate 
and improve the design of the questionnaire and other survey components 
for a subsequent full Mariner Survey. The cognitive interviews will be 
conducted online or via telephone. The pilot survey responses will be 
primarily collected via an online survey, with a mail survey option.
    Upon completion of this Pre-Test collection and analysis, MARAD 
intends to request separate approval for the full biennial Mariner 
Survey of all appropriately credentialed U.S. merchant mariners to 
determine the number of qualified mariners who are available and 
willing to serve on short notice on U.S. government-owned sealift ships 
or commercial ships during a period of national need. The most recent 
survey of this scope was completed in 2002. The availability of a 
reliable, current estimate on the number of mariners willing to serve 
in times of war, armed conflict, or national emergency is critical to 
the U.S. national security.
    Respondents: Appropriately credentialed U.S. merchant mariners.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 690 (40 for cognitive 
interviews; 650 for pilot survey).
    Frequency: One-time.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 45 minutes for cognitive interviews; 
20 minutes for pilot survey.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 247.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the Department's 
performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for the 
Department to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized 
without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency 
will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's 
clearance of this information collection.

(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.93.)

    By Order of the Acting Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-19808 Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P