00-10395. Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., this notice announces that the information collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. Described below is the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection was published on February 7, 2000 [65 FR 5928]. No comments were received.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention MARAD Desk Officer.

Comments are Invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Otto A. Strassburg, Chief, Division of Marine Insurance, Office of Insurance and Shipping Analysis, Maritime Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 8117, Washington, DC 20590, telephone number 202-366-4161. Copies of this collection can also be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Maritime Administration

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

OMB Control Number: 2133-0522.

Type of Request: Approval of an existing information collection.

Affected Public: Officers or members of a crew who suffered death, injury, or illness while employed on vessels as employees of the United States through the National Shipping Authority, Maritime Administration, or successor. Also included are surviving dependents, beneficiaries, and or/legal representatives of officers or crew members.

Form(s): None.

Abstract: The collection consists of information obtained from claimants for death, injury or illness suffered while serving as officers or members of a crew employed on vessels as employees of the United States through the National Shipping Authority, Maritime Administration (MARAD), or successor. The information will be evaluated by MARAD officials to determine if the claim is fair and reasonable. If the claim is allowed, it is settled, a release is obtained from the claimant verifying consummation of the settlement, and payment is made to the claimant.

Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 3,125 hours.

Dated: April 21, 2000.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary, Maritime Administration.