[Federal Register: September 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 56999-57000]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se06-80]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[USCG 2006-25522]
Exercise of Authority To Require Pilots To Submit Annual Physical
Examinations
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: By this notice, the Coast Guard is exercising authority
currently set forth in Coast Guard regulations to require all first
class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and other individuals
who ``serve as'' pilots on certain types of vessels greater than 1600
gross registered tons (GRT), to provide a copy of their annual physical
examination to the Coast Guard.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stewart A. Walker, National
Maritime Center. Phone: 202-493-1022, e-mail:
Stewart.A.Walker@uscg.mil.
DATES: All first class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and
other individuals who ``serve as'' pilots on certain types of vessels
greater than 1600 GRT (as described in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
below), must submit a copy of their most recent annual physical
examination to the Coast Guard on or before December 27, 2006. After
that, pilots must submit a copy of their annual physical examination to
the Coast Guard no later than 30 calendar days after completion of the
physical examination each year. The annual physical examination must,
by regulation, be completed within 30 calendar days of the anniversary
date of the individual's most recent satisfactorily completed physical
examination.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice implements the recommendation
made the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in their report
on the 2003 allision of the Staten Island Ferry ANDREW J. BARBERI, that
the Coast Guard require submission of annual pilot physicals. The Coast
Guard agrees with the NTSB that it is not effective to require pilots
to undergo annual physical examinations without an affirmative
obligation for pilots to actually submit them to the Coast Guard for
review.
Title 46 CFR 10.709 already requires that first class pilots on
vessels of 1600 GRT or more provide the Coast Guard with a copy of
their most recent annual physical examination upon request, and that
this physical examination must meet the requirements specified in Title
46 CFR 10.205(d). This includes those individuals who ``serve as''
pilots in accordance with Title 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c). Individuals
who ``serve as'' pilots on vessels of not more than 1600 GRT in
accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(2) do not have an annual physical
examination requirement.
This document serves as the request, pursuant to the authority set
forth in 46 CFR 10.709(e), that all first class pilots on vessels
greater than 1600 GRT, and all other individuals who ``serve as''
pilots in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c), provide a copy of
their annual physical examination to the Coast Guard.
The report of physical examination should be submitted to the
Regional Examination Center (REC) which issued the mariner's license.
The report of physical examination will be reviewed by the Coast Guard
in accordance with the standards in 46 CFR 10.205(d), as supplemented
by the guidance contained in Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular
(NVIC) 2-98, ``Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner's
Documents and Licenses'' or any superseding NVIC revising or replacing
NVIC 2-98.
The Coast Guard may initiate appropriate administrative action in
the event any first class pilot--or any other individual ``serving as''
a pilot (as described above)--does not meet the
[[Page 57000]]
physical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR 10.205(d), up to
and including suspension or revocation of the mariner's credential in
accordance with Title 46 CFR Part 5. The Coast Guard may also initiate
appropriate administrative action, up to and including suspension or
revocation of the mariner's credential in accordance with 46 CFR Part
5, if any first class pilot--or any other individual ``serving as'' a
pilot (as described above)--fails to submit their annual physical
examination to the Coast Guard.
Individuals with pilot licenses, pilot endorsements, master
licenses and mate licenses (and individuals applying for those
credentials) who do not in fact serve as a first class pilot or
otherwise ``serve as'' a pilot in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) &
(c) do not need to submit an annual physical examination to the Coast
Guard pursuant to 46 CFR 10.709(e); however, these individuals must
submit an annual physical examination before serving as a first class
pilot or otherwise ``serving as'' a pilot in accordance with 46 CFR
15.812(b)(3) & (c).
Dated: September 21, 2006.
J. G. Lantz,
Director of National and International Standards, Assistant Commandant
for Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06-8306 Filed 9-22-06; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P