[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21387]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 30, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 94-065]
Centralization of Vessel Documentation Activities; Implementation
Plan; Public Meetings
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of meetings; notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the first two of a series of public
meetings to be held by the Coast Guard to discuss plans to close vessel
documentation offices in 14 cities, and to centralize all vessel
documentation activities at a single location. In addition, it
announces availability of the Coast Guard's implementation plan to
ensure an orderly transition.
DATES: The initial meetings will take place on September 7, 1994, from
9 a.m. to noon in New Orleans, LA, and September 9, 1994, from 9 a.m.
to noon in Washington, D.C.
ADDRESSES: The meeting in New Orleans will be held in Room 1120 of the
Hale Boggs Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA
70130. The meeting in Washington, DC will be held in Room 2415 at U.S.
Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street S.W., Washington, DC
20593-0001.
Copies of the implementation plan are available from Commandant (G-
MVI-5), U.S. Coast Guard, Room 1312, 2100 Second Street, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20593-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Laura Burley, Vessel Documentation and Tonnage Survey Branch,
Merchant Vessel Inspection and Documentation Division, Office of Marine
Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. Telephone, (202) 267-
1492, telefax, (202) 267-4177.
Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The first two meetings will be held in New
Orleans, LA, and Washington, DC. The purpose of the meetings is to
discuss the Coast Guard's implementation plan, and to obtain input from
and educate the affected community and general public with regard to
revised procedures and planned innovations. The planned centralization
is part of the Coast Guard's ongoing efforts to provide the maximum
service to the maritime community, while seeking to reduce costs.
The implementation plan describes in general terms the steps and
procedures which the Coast Guard will follow in achieving
centralization while maintaining full customer service.
Meeting Participation
It is unnecessary to file a written request to participate in the
meeting. The Coast Guard will discuss its implementation plan and
solicit input from the public for the purpose of ensuring an orderly
transition to the central site. Individuals will also be afforded an
opportunity to leave informal written comments on specific areas of
concern.
Following the public meetings, the Cost Guard will consider the
input from the public and may revise its implementation plan
accordingly.
Background
Vessel Documentation is a form of national registration for
vessels, which among other things, serve to establish a vessel's
nationality and qualification to be employed in specified trades. The
benefits of documenting a vessel are practical, legal and financial.
The salient practical benefit of documentation is to ensure
unencumbered interstate and international commerce. The existence of a
Federal system of documentation serves to preempt state numbering and
regulatory schemes, with the result that a vessel operated under a
Federal endorsement is ensured access to state waters for various
activities. Another practical benefit of Federal documentation stems
from the preferential customs and tax treatment accorded to ``vessels
of the United States''. Established national policy seeks to promote
the existence of an American merchant marine as a resource to be drawn
upon in time of emergency or war. To the extent that documentation is a
condition precedent to the receipt of preferential customs and tax
treatment, it serves as a tool to promote national policy interests.
The legal benefits of documentation include establishing conclusive
evidence of nationality for international purposes, thereby conferring
the privileges, protections, and immunities contemplated by long-
standing international law and custom. Vessels on the high seas which
are not registered in a national system may be deemed to be
``stateless'' vessels, subject to boarding by foreign authorities
without restriction. Another legal benefit conferred by documentation
is the establishment of entitlement to engage in certain restricted
trades and employments, such as coastwise or Great Lakes trade, the
U.S. fisheries, towing, and dredging.
The major financial benefit conferred by documentation is preferred
mortgage financing. The availability of capital for maritime financing
often hinges upon the existence of the preferred mortgage as security
for loans against vessels. Unlike so-called ``ordinary mortgages,''
preferred mortgages rise to the level of a maritime lien, thereby
taking precedence over non-maritime liens as well as maritime liens
which arise after perfection of the preferred mortgage. Preferred
mortgages, which are enforceable against the vessel in Federal court
wherever the vessel is found are critical not only for large commercial
vessels, but also provide protection for mortgages of recreational
vessels, thereby helping to ensure the continued existence of the
recreational vessel building industry in the U.S.
Purpose of Centralization
The vessel documentation program has grown exponentially during the
course of recent years. The Coast Guard has identified centralization
as a means by which it can meet the challenge of maintaining and
improving levels of service to its customers through significant gains
in functional and administrative practices. No longer will it be
necessary for members of industry, law enforcement officials, and the
boating public to make inquiries at multiple points to receive
information on documented vessels. Mortgagees and lien claimants will
have a single point for filing instruments. Inconsistencies that result
from interpretation of statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements
at multiple points would be eliminated. Workloads will be evenly
distributed so that backlogs caused by seasonal fluctuations in
maritime activities could be reduced or eliminated. The impact of
absence of personnel due to retirement, illness, or unforeseen
circumstances will be minimized.
With all records consolidated, it will be feasible to develop a
system permitting the public to file instruments through electronic
means, thus enhancing vessel financing by permitting instantaneous
perfection of mortgages and related instruments.
Management overhead will be reduced through better space management
by eliminating duplicate facilities in 14 locations. Moreover, most
offices are currently located in high cost areas; consolidation will
make it possible to locate all facilities in an area with lower real
estate costs for the government.
Meetings
The meetings will be held in New Orleans, LA; Washington, DC; New
York, NY; Miami, FL; St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA; and Seattle, WA.
The meetings are open to the public and will convene as follows:
On September 7, 1994, from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 1120, Hale Boggs
Federal Building, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130.
On September 9, 1994, from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 2415, U.S. Coast
Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20593-
0001.
The dates and addresses for the remaining meetings will be
announced in a future edition of the Federal Register.
Dated: August 24, 1994.
J.F. McGowan,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Marine Safety,
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 94-21387 Filed 8-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
