02-28085. 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 January 6, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rodney McFadden, 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: Information to Determine Seamen's Reemployment Rights—National Emergency.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0526.

Form Numbers: None.

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

Summary of Collection of Information: MARAD is requesting approval of this collection in an effort to implement provisions of the Maritime Security Act of 1996. These provisions grant reemployment rights and other benefits to certain merchant seamen serving aboard vessels used by the United States during times of national emergencies. The Maritime Security Act of 1996 establishes the procedures for obtaining the necessary MARAD certification for reemployment rights and other benefits.

Need and Use of the Information: MARAD will use the information to determine if U.S. civilian mariners are eligible for reemployment rights under the Maritime Security Act of 1996.

Description of Respondents: U.S. merchant seamen who have completed designated national service during a time of maritime mobilization need and are seeking reemployment with a prior employer.

Annual Responses: 50.

Annual Burden: 50 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 29, 2002.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.