02-27674. Information Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intentions to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection.

DATES:

Comments should be submitted on or before December 30, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joe Strassburg, Maritime Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: [phone]; FAX [phone] or E-MAIL: [e-mail].

Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Seamen's Claims; Administrative Action and Litigation.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0522.

Form Numbers: None.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval.

Summary of Collection of Information: The information is submitted by claimants seeking payments for injuries or illnesses they sustained while serving as masters or members of a crew on board a vessel owned or operated by the United States. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) reviews the information and makes a determination regarding agency liability and payments.

Need and Use of the Information: The information obtained will be evaluated by MARAD officials to determine if the claim is fair and reasonable. If the claim is allowed and settled, payment is made to the claimant.

Description of Respondents: Officers or members of a crew who suffered death, injury, or illness while employed on vessels owned or operated by the United States. Also included in this description of respondents are surviving dependents, beneficiaries, and/or legal representatives of officers or crew members.

Annual Responses: 150.

Annual Burden: 1,875 hours.

Comments: Comments should refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document. Written comments may be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Comments may also be submitted by electronic means via the Internet at http://dmses.dot.gov/​submit. Specifically address whether this information collection is necessary for proper performance of the functions of the agency and will have practical utility, accuracy of the burden estimates, ways to minimize this burden, and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (or EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at http://dms.dot.gov.

By Order of the Maritime Administrator,

Dated: October 25, 2002.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.