[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 194 (Friday, October 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25209]
[[Page 51789]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
46 CFR Parts 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 161
[CGD 94-108]
RIN 2115-AF24
Electrical Engineering Requirements for Merchant Vessels
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of policy for interim rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Two industry standards affecting the Coast Guard's electrical
engineering regulations for merchant vessels have been revised recently
or will be revised in the near future. Until the Coast Guard amends its
regulations to incorporate new standards, persons wishing to apply a
provision of one of these industry standards instead of a provision in
the current regulations may submit for approval on a case-by-case
basis, a request under the equivalency provisions in the current
regulations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Gerald P. Miante, Project Manager, Office of Design and Engineering
Standards (G-MSE), (202) 267-2206.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4, 1996, the Coast Guard published
an interim rule entitled ``Electrical Engineering Requirements for
Merchant Vessels'' (61 FR 28260). This rule went into effect on
September 30, 1996, and amends the Coast Guard's electrical engineering
regulations in 46 CFR parts 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 161.
First, the regulations reference provisions in the 1995 edition of
the ``Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels'' of the American
Bureau of Shipping (ABS). In May 1996, ABS adopted a revised edition of
this standard, which the Coast Guard intends to incorporate into the
final rule for electrical engineering regulations within the next few
months.
Second, the regulations reference provisions in the 1983 edition of
the ``Recommended Practice for Electric Installations on Shipboard''
(Standard 45) of the institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE). IEEE is in the process of revising this standard and plans to
issue a draft version in late November 1996 and a final version by mid-
January 1997. The Coast Guard will review and, if appropriate, will
incorporate this standard in its electrical engineering regulations as
well.
Until the Coast Guard incorporates these standards in the
regulations by the necessary rulemaking action, persons may request the
use of these new standards by submitting a request in accordance with
either 46 CFR 110.20-1 (for a provision in 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter
J) or 46 CFR 161.002-17 (for a provision in 46 CFR part 161, subpart
161.002) of the interim rule. These requests are considered for
approval on a case-by-case basis under Coast Guard regulations.
Dated: September 26, 1996.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental
Protection.
[FR Doc. 96-25209 Filed 10-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
