[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 108 (Friday, June 6, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24076-24077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10317]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
46 CFR Part 11
[Docket No. USCG-2021-0097]
RIN 1625-AC75
Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data;
Corrections
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Correcting amendment.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Coast Guard's mariner credentialing
regulations by correcting inadvertent errors made within the November
2024 final rule. Within the 2024 final rule, the Coast Guard
unintentionally deleted two existing paragraphs from the Code of
Federal Regulation (CFR) and accidently reverted language in other
existing paragraphs to previous versions. This correcting amendment
reverts the language and adds those paragraphs back into the CFR as
they appeared before the accidental deletion, and as edited by
subsequent regulatory changes. These corrections do not create, remove,
or modify any obligation under these regulations.
DATES: Effective June 6, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document
call or email Mr. Brian Eichelberger, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-
1450, email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 3, 2023, the Coast Guard
published the ``Towing Vessel Firefighting Training'' final rule (88 FR
67966), which amended 46 CFR 11.201(h)(3). Specifically, that final
rule added paragraphs (h)(3)(iii) and (iv), which was a deregulatory
action that removed certain training requirements to qualify for a
Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsement on towing vessels, and
reduced costs to mariners. That rule also modified paragraph (h)(3)(ii)
to clarify the eligibility for certain endorsements to use a modified
basic firefighting course to meet the requirements for an MMC and added
``All'' to paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 11.201(h)(3)(i) for consistency.
On November 25, 2024, the Coast Guard published a final rule titled
``Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data'' (89 FR
93040). In addition to establishing requirements for training providers
to electronically submit mariner course completion data to the Coast
Guard, the rule also updated titles for certain officer and rating
endorsements on a mariner's MMC and added capitalization to endorsement
titles. The final rule's amendatory instructions unintentionally
deleted paragraphs (h)(3)(iii) and (iv). Specifically, amendatory
instruction number 29 of that final rule (89 FR 93070) laid out the new
text of paragraphs (h)(2) through (4) but unintentionally omitted the
existing text within paragraphs (h)(3)(iii) and (iv). Additionally,
amendatory instruction number 29 improperly reverted the language in
paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(3)(i) and (ii) to previous language that
existed before changes were made through the ``Towing Vessel
Firefighting Training'' final rule. Specifically, paragraphs (h)(2)(i)
and (h)(3)(i) need the word ``All'' added at the beginning of both
paragraphs. Additionally, paragraph (h)(3)(ii) language should have
continued to say, ``for service on near-coastal waters'' but was
reverted back to ``service on oceans.''
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) before
[[Page 24077]]
this final rule. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds good
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM because this rule consists of
only technical and editorial corrections, and these changes will have
no substantive effect on the public. This technical amendment corrects
mistakes incorporated into the CFR from inaccurate amendatory
instructions in a recent rule. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast
Guard finds, for the same reasons, that good cause exists to make the
rule effective fewer than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 11
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Schools,
Seafarers.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard corrects
46 CFR part 11 by making the following correcting amendments:
PART 11--REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICER ENDORESEMENTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 11 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 14 U.S.C. 503; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103,
and 2110; 46 U.S.C. chapter 71; 46 U.S.C. 7502, 7505, 7701, 8903,
8904, 8906, and 70105; Executive Order 10173; DHS Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 11.107 is also issued under the
authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.
0
2. Amend Sec. 11.201 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(3)(i) and (ii); and
0
b. Add paragraphs (h)(3)(iii) and (iv).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 11.201 General requirements for national and STCW officer
endorsements.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) All national officer endorsements as Master or Mate on seagoing
vessels of 200 GRT or more;
* * * * *
(3) * * *
(i) All officer endorsements as Master on vessels of less than 500
GT in ocean service.
(ii) All officer endorsements for Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing
Vessels for service on near-coastal waters, except Apprentice Mate of
Towing Vessels.
(iii) All officer endorsements for Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing
Vessels for service on Great Lakes, except Apprentice Mate of Towing
Vessels.
(iv) All officer endorsements as Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing
Vessels for service on inland waters or Western Rivers, except
Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels.
(A) The Coast Guard will accept a Coast Guard-approved modified
basic firefighting course, which is the basic firefighting training
described in this paragraph (h)(3) modified to only cover the
equipment, fire prevention procedures, and firefighting operations
required on towing vessels on inland waters or Western Rivers routes
required in 46 CFR parts 140 and 142. A mariner who completes this
modified basic firefighting course will be issued an endorsement that
is restricted to inland waters or Western Rivers.
(B) To increase in scope to Great Lakes, near-coastal, or oceans,
the applicant will be required to complete the firefighting course
appropriate to the route sought.
* * * * *
Dated: June 2, 2025.
Michael T. Cunningham,
Chief, Office of Regulations and Administrative Law.
[FR Doc. 2025-10317 Filed 6-5-25; 8:45 am]
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