[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10299-10300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4645]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2010-0025]
Revision to Navigation and Inspection Circular 11-93, Change 3
(NVIC 11-93 CH-3), Applicability of Tonnage Measurement Systems to U.S.
Flag Vessels
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of policy revision and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is developing a revision to NVIC 11-93 CH-3
Applicability of Tonnage Measurement Systems to U.S. Flag Vessels to
update the document and improve its usefulness. We are seeking public
suggestions for changes to the current revision to NVIC 11-93 CH-3 and
comments on the proposed revisions listed in the purpose section of
this notice. The public is encouraged to suggest discussion of any
international conventions, Federal regulations, or definitions that are
not currently addressed. Moreover, the Coast Guard requests that the
public provide suggestions on definitions or tables included in the
NVIC 11-93 CH-3 to make them clearer or address additional tonnage
applicability issues not currently covered by the NVIC 11-93 CH-3.
DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before April 5, 2010
or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.
ADDRESSES: This notice and NVIC 11-93 CH-3 are available in the docket
and can be viewed by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting
USCG-2010-0025 in the ``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``Search.''
You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2010-0025
using any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice,
call or e-mail Marcus Akins, Marine Safety Center, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone 202-475-3349, e-mail [email protected]. If you have
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee
V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to submit comments and related material on
revisions to NVIC 11-93 CH-3. All comments received will be posted,
without change, to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. A copy of the current version
of NVIC 11-93 CH-3 may be accessed electronically as part of this
docket or at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/pdf/1993/CH-3_11-93.pdf.
Submitting comments: If you submit a comment, please include the
docket number for this notice (USCG-2010-0025) and provide a reason for
each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and
material online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only
one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a
mailing address, an e-mail address, or a phone number in the body of
your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding
your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become
highlighted in blue. In the
[[Page 10300]]
``Document Type'' drop-down menu, select ``Notices'' and insert ``USCG-
2010-0025'' in the ``Keyword'' box. Click ``Search,'' then click on the
balloon shape in the ``Actions'' column. If you submit your comments by
mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than
8\1/2\; by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If
you submit them by mail and would like to know that they reached the
Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during
the comment period.
Viewing the comments: To view the comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on the ``read comments'' box, which will
then become highlighted in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-
2010-0025'' and click ``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in
the ``Actions'' column. If you do not have access to the internet, you
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to
use the Docket Management Facility.
Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a
Privacy Act, system of records notice regarding our public dockets in
the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
Background and Purpose
NVIC 11-93, which was last revised in November 2003, provides
guidance on tonnages used for documentation purposes and the
applicability of a vessel's tonnage assignment under domestic
regulatory and international tonnage measurement systems to both
domestic regulations and international standards. It also clarifies the
applicability of U.S. tonnage measurement systems to U.S. flag vessels
based on vessel type, length, service, and vessel keel laid date or
date of last substantial alteration. Definitions of frequently used
terms, including convention length and deck cargo are provided to
ensure consistency for users of NVIC 11-93.
Since its latest revision, multiple regulations and standards with
tonnage thresholds, such as Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans, Long Range
Identification Tracking System, and the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI, have come
into force. To reflect these developments and incorporate updates of an
administrative nature, the Coast Guard is considering the following
changes:
(1) Adding new enclosures discussing the implications of tonnage
changes that result from vessel alterations, changes in vessel service,
or the addition of temporary deck equipment. This would include
discussion of loss of tonnage grandfathering provisions under Article
3(2)(d) of the 1969 International Tonnage Convention and associated
interim schemes for the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) and Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) international conventions.
(2) Amending Section 2 of Enclosure 1. The Coast Guard would
clarify the definition of the terms, ``overall length'' and
``remeasurement,'' to provide more detail on their applicability. We
would also add the terms, ``registered length'' and ``alternate
tonnage.''
(3) Providing additional examples of tonnage application. The Coast
Guard will provide examples of tonnage application that are reflective
of newly implemented domestic regulations and international standards.
(4) Amending Tables 5, 6, and 7 of Enclosure 1. The Coast Guard
will revise language in Tables 5, 6, and 7 to more comprehensively
address international tonnage grandfathering provisions, and reflect
the correct date that MARPOL came into force.
(5) Incorporating administrative changes such as updating contact
information and making editorial corrections.
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard requests your general comments on the revision
under consideration. We also seek comments on any or all of the
specific proposed revisions for NVIC 11-93 CH-3. We encourage
suggestions for specific examples of tonnage grandfathering,
remeasurement, or the use of interim schemes. Written comments and
responses will be added to the docket number for this notice (USCG-
2010-0025). The Coast Guard intends to review and analyze all comments
received in order to develop the next revision to NVIC 11-93.
Authority: This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552
and 46 U.S.C. 14301.
Dated: February 19, 2010.
Jeff Lantz,
Director, Commercial Regulations and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2010-4645 Filed 3-4-10; 8:45 am]
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