[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15438-15439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8352]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
46 CFR Parts 10, 12, and 15
[CGD 95-062]
RIN 2115-AF26
Implementation of 1995 Amendments to the International Convention
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,
1978 (STCW)
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard plans to hold three public meetings to solicit
input from the maritime industry and from the public at large
concerning the proposed changes to current domestic rules on licensing,
documentation, and manning in compliance with recent amendments to the
STCW. The amendments were adopted by a Conference of Parties to STCW in
July 1995, and will come into force on February 1, 1997. Some changes
to domestic rules must come into force before then to ensure these
rules conform to international requirements, and other changes may come
into force to allow a more gradual shift in practice. The proposed
changes would affect the full range of activities associated with
determining that an individual is competent for serving in certain
shipboard capacities.
DATES: The meetings will be held May 8, 14, and 23, 1996, from 9:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Comments must be submitted by July 24, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The May 8, 1996, meeting will be held at the New Orleans
Airport Hilton, 901 Airline Highway, Kenner, Louisiana 70062. The May
14, 1996, meeting will be held at the Department of Commerce, Bldg. 9,
Auditorium, NOAA Western Regional Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE,
Seattle, Washington 98115. The May 23, 1996, meeting will be held at
the Department of Transportation, Nassif Building, Room 6200, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Written comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council (G-LRA), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second
Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406
at the same address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Comments will become part of this docket [CGD
95-062] and will be available for inspection or copying at room 3406,
Coast Guard Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
A copy of the 1995 Amendments to STCW may be obtained by writing
Commandant (G-MOS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street
SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or by calling (202) 267-0229, between 8
a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Requests may also be submitted by facsimile at (202) 267-4570. For
additional information or to obtain a copy of the STCW notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) [61 FR 13284], published on March 26, 1996,
contact Mr. Christopher Young, Operating and Environmental Standards
Division (G-MOS), 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001,
telephone (202) 267-0216 or fax (202) 267-4570.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James W. Cratty, Project Facilitator, Standards, Evaluation, and
Development Division (G-MES), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20593-0001, at (202) 267-6742 for public meeting
information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Discussion
On July 7, 1995, a Conference of Parties to the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers, 1978 (STCW), meeting at the International Maritime
Organization in London, adopted a package of amendments to STCW. The
amendments will enter into force on February 1, 1997, unless a third of
the parties to the Convention, or parties representing over 50 percent
of the world's shipping tons, object to them by August 1, 1996. Because
they were adopted unanimously by the Conference, no objections are
expected. Consequently, the Coast Guard is taking necessary steps to
implement them, and to ensure that U.S. documents and licenses are
issued in compliance with them.
On August 31, 1995, the Coast Guard held a public meeting announced
at [60 FR 39306; August 2, 1995] to discuss the outcome of the
Conference and seek public comment on how the 1995 Amendments to STCW,
adopted by the Conference, should be implemented. The meeting also
provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the steps that the
Coast Guard considers necessary to carry out the requirements of STCW
as amended.
In addition, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Inquiry (NI) on
November 13, in the Federal Register [60 FR 56970]. The purpose of the
NI was to seek information that may be useful in calculating costs and
benefits of implementing the 1995 Amendments to the STCW.
[[Page 15439]]
On March 26, 1996, the Coast Guard published the NPRM in which it
proposed changes to the current domestic rules on licensing,
documentation, and manning in compliance with 1995 Amendments to the
1978 STCW. The NPRM invites comments on or before July 24, 1996.
Persons needing the assistance of sign language interpretation at
the meetings should notify the person listed above under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible so that arrangements may be
made to provide the necessary assistance.
Attendance is open to the public. With advance notice, and as time
permits, members of the public may make oral presentations during the
meetings. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify the
person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than
48 hours before the meeting. Written material may be submitted before,
during, or after the meetings. Persons unable to attend the public
meetings are encouraged to submit written comments as outlined in the
NPRM prior to July 24, 1996.
Dated: March 29, 1996.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director for Standards, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection
Directorate.
[FR Doc. 96-8352 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
