[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63210-63211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17119]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2024-0384]


National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; Vacancies

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice; request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill eleven 
vacancies on the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee 
(Committee). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security 
via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to 
personnel in the United States Merchant Marine, including the training, 
qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners. 
Individuals currently holding these appointments will need to re-apply 
if they wish to continue as Committee members.

DATES: Complete applications must reach the U.S. Coast Guard on or 
before October 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Applications must include (a) a cover letter expressing 
interest in an appointment to the National Merchant Marine Personnel 
Advisory Committee, (b) a resume detailing the applicant's relevant 
experience for the position applied for (including the U.S. Coast Guard 
issued mariner reference number if applicable), and (c) a brief 2-3 
paragraph biography written in third-person perspective. Applications 
should be submitted via email with subject line ``Application for 
NMERPAC'' to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Megan Johns Henry, Alternate 
Designated Federal Officer of the National Merchant Marine Personnel 
Advisory Committee; telephone 202-372-1255 or email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Merchant Marine Personnel 
Advisory Committee is a Federal advisory committee. The Committee was 
established on December 4, 2018, by section 601 of the Frank LoBiondo 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. No 115-282, 132 Stat 
4192), and is codified in 46 U.S.C. 15103. The Committee operates under 
the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and 46 U.S.C. 
15109.
    The Committee is required to meet at least once a year in 
accordance with 46 U.S.C. 15109(a). We expect the Committee will hold 
meetings twice per year, typically in the last week of March and the 
week of September immediately following the Labor Day holiday. The 
meetings are held at locations across the country selected by the U.S. 
Coast Guard.
    Under provisions in 46 U.S.C. 15109(f)(6), if you are appointed as 
a member of the Committee, your membership term will expire on December 
31st of the third full year after the effective date of your 
appointment. Under provisions 46 U.S.C. 15109(f)(4) the Secretary of 
Homeland Security may require an individual to have passed an 
appropriate security background examination before appointment to the 
Committee. Committee members are required to attend and participate in 
meetings regularly; members may be recommended for removal if they miss 
two consecutive meetings without a valid reason that is acceptable to 
the Chair of the Committee and the Designated Federal Officer.

[[Page 63211]]

    In this solicitation for Committee members, we will consider 
applications for eleven (11) positions, which include:
     Four United States citizens holding a valid Merchant 
Mariner Credential (MMC) issued under 46 U.S.C. chapter 71 or 46 U.S.C. 
chapter 73, including:
    [cir] One credentialed deck officer who represents merchant marine 
deck officers who shall be: (1) endorsed for an inland or river route 
of limited or unlimited tonnage; (2) endorsed as Master of Towing 
Vessels; and (3) to the extent practicable, shall represent labor.
    [cir] Two credentialed engineering officers, of which: (1) one 
shall be endorsed as Chief Engineer of unlimited horsepower; (1) one 
shall be endorsed either as Chief Engineer of limited horsepower or 
Designated Duty Engineer and to the extent practicable, (1) one shall 
represent management.
    [cir] One credentialed rating, endorsed as able bodied seaman;
     Three Marine educators who represent other maritime 
training institutions (other than academies), of which one may also 
represent the small vessel industry;
     Two individuals who represent shipping companies employed 
in ship operation management; and,
     Two individuals who represent the general public.
    Each member of the Committee must have expertise, knowledge, and 
experience on matters related to personnel in the United States 
merchant marine, including the training, qualifications, certification, 
documentation, and fitness of mariners.
    All members serve at their own expense and receive no salary or 
other compensation from the Federal Government. The only compensation 
the members may receive is for travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, and actual reasonable expenses incurred in the 
performance of their direct duties for the Committee in accordance with 
Federal Travel Regulations.
    If you are appointed as a member of the Committee, you will be 
required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Gratuitous Services 
Agreement.
    If you are selected as a member drawn from the general public, you 
will be appointed and serve as a Special Government Employee as defined 
in 18 U.S.C. 202(a). Applicants for appointment as a Special Government 
Employee are required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure 
Report (OGE Form 450) for new entrants and if appointed as a member 
must submit an OGE Form 450 annually. The U.S. Coast Guard may not 
release the reports or the information in them to the public except 
under an order issued by a Federal court or as otherwise provided under 
the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Only the Designated U.S. Coast Guard 
Ethics Official or his or her designee may release a Confidential 
Financial Disclosure Report. Applicants can obtain this form by going 
to the website of the Office of Government Ethics (www.oge.gov) or by 
contacting the individual listed above in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.
    Registered lobbyists are not eligible to serve on Federal Advisory 
Committees in an individual capacity. See ``Revised Guidance on 
Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards and 
Commissions'' (79 FR 47482, August 13, 2014). Registered lobbyists are 
``lobbyists,'' as defined in 2 U.S.C. 1602, who are required by 2 
U.S.C. 1603 to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk 
of the House of Representatives.
    In order for the Department to fully leverage broad-ranging 
experience and education, the National Merchant Marine Personnel 
Advisory Committee must be diverse with regard to professional and 
technical expertise. The Department is committed to pursuing 
opportunities, consistent with applicable law, to compose a committee 
that reflects the diversity of the Nation's people.
    If you are interested in applying to become a member of the 
Committee, email your application to [email protected] as provided 
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Applications must include: (1) 
a cover letter expressing interest in an appointment to the National 
Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; (2) a resume detailing 
the applicant's relevant experience; and (3) a brief 2-3 paragraph 
biography of the applicant written in third-person perspective by the 
deadline in the DATES section of this notice. Applications for members 
who will serve to represent the general public must be accompanied by a 
completed OGE Form 450. Once we receive your application we will send 
you an email confirming receipt.
    The U.S. Coast Guard will not consider incomplete or late 
applications.

Privacy Act Statement

    Purpose: To obtain qualified applicants to fill one vacancy on the 
National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee. When you apply 
for appointment to the DHS' Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory 
Committee, DHS collects your name, contact information, and any other 
personal information that you submit in conjunction with your 
application. DHS will use this information to evaluate your candidacy 
for Committee membership. If you are chosen to serve as a Committee 
member, your name will appear in publicly available Committee 
documents, membership lists, and Committee reports.
    Authorities: 14 U.S.C. 504; 46 U.S.C. 15103 and 15109; 18 U.S.C. 
202(a), and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00915.
    Routine Uses: Authorized U.S. Coast Guard personnel will use this 
information to consider and obtain qualified candidates to serve on the 
Committee. Any external disclosures of information within this record 
will be made in accordance with DHS/ALL-009, Department of Homeland 
Security Advisory Committee (73 FR 57642, October 3, 2008).
    Consequences of Failure to Provide Information: Furnishing this 
information is voluntary. However, failure to furnish the requested 
information may result in your application not being considered for the 
Committee.

    Dated: July 30, 2024.
Jeffrey G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2024-17119 Filed 8-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P