[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54385-54386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27706]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 187
[CGD 89-050]
RIN 2115-AD35
Vessel Identification System
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Interim final rule; re-opening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is re-opening the comment period for its
interim final rule establishing a system to identify vessels numbered
or titled under the laws of a State. This action is necessary to
respond to questions raised by States, banking interests, and legal
associations.
DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before December 4,
1997.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 89-050), U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or
deliver them to room 3406 at the same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-267-1477.
The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT James Whitehead, Marine Safety and
Environmental Protection, Office of Information Resources (G-MRI), 202-
267-0385.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written views, arguments, or data.
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses,
identity this rulemaking (CGD 89-050) and the specific section of this
rule to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each
comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments in an
[[Page 54386]]
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of
receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or
envelopes.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during this
comment period. It may change this rule in view of the comments.
Background
The Coast Guard published an Interim Final Rule in the Federal
Register (60 FR 20310; April 25, 1995). The rule established a vessel
identification system (VIS) for vessels numbered or titled by a State
that elects to participate in the system, The rule was to go into
effect on April 24, 1996. However, on February 23, 1996 (61 FR 6943),
the Coast Guard suspended the effective date of subpart D of the rule
(33 CFR part 187, subpart D, Guidelines for State Vessel Titling
Systems) through April 23, 1998. The suspension was intended to allow
the Coast Guard, States, and public more time to review the
complexities of the guidelines relating to State titling. Since the
suspension began, representatives of the States, marine banks, and
legal associations have met several time to discuss issues involving
the State titling guidelines. Notes from these meetings have been
included in the docket.
Questions
We are reopening the comment period to gather further information
on all aspects of this rulemaking. We particularly need your help in
answering the following questions:
(a) Should the regulations be revised to respond to ownership
concerns, rather than just law enforcement concerns? Both concerns are
addressed in the VIS statute (46 U.S.C. 12501). Such a revision may
allow members of the marine industry to get ownership information from
the VIS, such as an individual owner's name and address in order to
match that owner with a particular vessel.
(b) Should the information used to identify vessels in 33 CFR
187.103 be the same as that used for a certificate of number in 33 CFR
174.19?
(c) What changes, if any, to 33 CFR part 187, subpart D, are needed
to address the complexities of State titling?
Your comments need not be limited to these questions.
Dated: October 14, 1997.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental
Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-27706 Filed 10-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
