80 FR 73199 - Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee's Response to Task Statement 1, Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08 Revision
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 226 (November 24, 2015)
Coast Guard
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 226 (November 24, 2015)
| Page Range | 73199-73200 | |
| FR Document | 2015-29837 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 73199-73200] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-29837] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG-2015-1018] Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee's Response to Task Statement 1, Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08 Revision AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee's response to Task Statement 1, ``Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08 Revision Working Group.'' This document recommends various changes to NVIC 04-08, ``Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials,'' which the Coast Guard uses when making decisions on mariner credentialing. The Coast Guard has not adopted this document as policy, but will consider it in future policy development. ADDRESSES: Task Statement 1 and the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee's response to the task are available on the Coast Guard's Web site at: https://homeport.uscg.mil. To locate the documents on the Web site, select Missions/Ports and Waterways/Safety Advisory Committees/ MEDMAC/Announcements/MEDMAC's Response to Task Statement 1--Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08 Revision. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (the Committee) is authorized under 46 United States Code 7115 and operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5 U.S.C., Appendix). The Committee advises the Secretary on matters related to (a) medical certification determinations for issuances of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners' documents; (b) medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; (c) medical examiner education; and (d) medical research. The Committee voted to accept Task Statement 1 during the second public meeting held on May 8-9, 2012 in Martinsburg, WV. This task requested [[Page 73200]] that the Committee review sections of NVIC 04-08, ``Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials,'' to ensure that the Coast Guard's guidance is in compliance with all current regulations and reflects medical considerations that are appropriate for merchant mariners. Task Statement 1 required the following inputs. First, it required the working group to review the introduction and Enclosures 1, 2, 5, and 6 of NVIC 04-08 to ensure compliance with existing Coast Guard regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. Second, it required the working group to review all medical conditions listed in Enclosures 3 and 4 of the NVIC and perform the following actions: --Identify circumstances defining inordinate risk for the condition. --Identify circumstances which would decrease the risk from inordinate. --Determine appropriate amplifying information and testing required to assess the condition. --Identify the standards used to determine the suitability of the condition. --Determine the minimum compliance for the condition that should allow safe operation. --Determine whether or not a waiver is required and define waiver parameters. --Work with the Top Mariner Conditions working group to incorporate their recommendations for the top medical conditions. Subsequently, a working group was established. The working group was comprised of individual members of MEDMAC and the public, although the composition of the working group changed over time. The Committee voted to accept the response to Task Statement 1 provided by the working group during the sixth public meeting held on September 29-30, 2014 in Piney Point, MD. All working group meetings were open to the public. The response to Task Statement 1 is in the form of a revised NVIC 04-08. This revision includes both the introduction to NVIC 04-08 as well as revised versions of each of the enclosures. In accordance with the task statement, the working group has made revisions to each enclosure, but made substantial revisions to enclosures 3 and 4. These enclosures, entitled ``Vision and Hearing Standards'' and ``Guidance on Specific Medical Conditions,'' provide detailed guidelines that can help the Coast Guard make fitness determinations for mariners to maintain their credentials. The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee's response to Task Statement 1 is a work product of the Committee and therefore is not an official Coast Guard policy and may not be cited as an official agency position. The Coast Guard may use the response, or portions of the response, for development of future policy. Authority This notice is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 46 U.S.C. 7101 et seq., 46 CFR 10.215, and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0710.1. Dated: November 17, 2015. V. B. Gifford, Jr., Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2015-29837 Filed 11-23-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 226 / Tuesday, November 24, 2015 / Notices 73199
Authorization Act of 2010, Public Law a completed OGE Form 450 will not be DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
111–281 and operates in accordance considered. SECURITY
with the provisions of the Federal Registered lobbyists are not eligible to
Advisory Committee Act, (5 U.S.C. Coast Guard
serve on Federal advisory committees in
Appendix). The Committee’s purpose is an individual capacity. Registered [Docket No. USCG–2015–1018]
to provide advice and recommendations
lobbyists are lobbyists required to
to the Secretary on matters related to Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory
comply with provisions contained in
medical certification determinations for Committee’s Response to Task
issuance of licenses, certificates of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2
Statement 1, Navigation and Vessel
registry, and merchant mariners’ U.S.C. 1605; Pub. L. 104–65; as
Inspection Circular 04–08 Revision
documents; medical standards and amended by Title II of Pub. L. 110–81).
guidelines for the physical The Merchant Mariner Medical AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
qualifications of operators of Advisory Committee members are ACTION: Notice of availability.
commercial vessels; medical examiner appointed in their individual capacity
education; and medical research. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces
and would be designated as a Special
The Merchant Mariner Medical the availability of the Merchant Mariner
Government Employee as defined in
Advisory Committee is expected to meet Medical Advisory Committee’s response
202(a) of Title 18, U.S.C. See ‘‘Revised to Task Statement 1, ‘‘Navigation and
at least twice a year at various locations Guidance on Appointment of Lobbyist
around the country. It may also meet Vessel Inspection Circular 04–08
to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards Revision Working Group.’’ This
intercessionally for extraordinary and Commissions’’ (79 FR 47482,
purposes. Working groups may also document recommends various changes
August 13, 2014). to NVIC 04–08, ‘‘Medical and Physical
meet to consider specific tasks as
required. The Department of Homeland Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant
Security does not discriminate in Mariner Credentials,’’ which the Coast
The Coast Guard will consider
selection of Committee members on the Guard uses when making decisions on
applications for seven positions that
basis of race, color, religion, sex, mariner credentialing. The Coast Guard
expire on August 8, 2016. These
national origin, political affiliation, has not adopted this document as
positions include two professional
sexual orientation, gender identity, policy, but will consider it in future
mariners with knowledge and
marital status, disabilities and genetic policy development.
experience in mariners’ occupational
requirements, and five health care information, age, membership in an ADDRESSES: Task Statement 1 and the
professionals with particular expertise, employee organization, or any other Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory
knowledge, or experience regarding the non-merit factor. The Department of Committee’s response to the task are
medical examinations of merchant Homeland Security strives to achieve a available on the Coast Guard’s Web site
mariners or occupational medicine. widely diverse candidate pool for all of at: https://homeport.uscg.mil. To locate
The members appointed will serve a its recruitment actions. the documents on the Web site, select
term of office of five years. The Missions/Ports and Waterways/Safety
If you are interested in applying to Advisory Committees/MEDMAC/
members are limited to serving no more become a member of the Committee,
than two consecutive terms. All Announcements/MEDMAC’s Response
send your cover letter and resume to to Task Statement 1—Navigation and
members serve without compensation Lieutenant Ashley Holm, Designated
from the Federal Government; however, Vessel Inspection Circular 04–08
Alternate Federal Officer of the Revision.
members may be reimbursed for travel
Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory
and per diem depending on fiscal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
Committee by email or mail according
budgetary constraints. you have questions on this notice, email
to instructions in the ADDRESSES section MMCPolicy@uscg.mil.
Members of the Merchant Mariner
Medical Advisory Committee will be by the deadline in the DATES section of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
appointed and serve as Special this notice.
Government Employees as defined in All email submittals will receive Background and Purpose
section 202(a) of Title 18 United States email receipt confirmation. The Merchant Mariner Medical
Code. As candidates for appointment as To visit our online docket, go to Advisory Committee (the Committee) is
Special Government Employees, http://www.regulations.gov enter the authorized under 46 United States Code
applicants are required to complete docket number (for this notice (USCG– 7115 and operates in accordance with
Confidential Financial Disclosure 2015–1005) in the Search box, and click the Federal Advisory Committee Act
Reports (OGE Form 450). Coast Guard ‘‘Search’’. Please do not post your (Title 5 U.S.C., Appendix). The
may not release the reports or the Committee advises the Secretary on
resume or OGE 450 Form on this site.
information in them to the public except matters related to (a) medical
under an order issued by a Federal court Dated: November 17, 2015. certification determinations for
or as otherwise provided under the V.B. Gifford, Jr., issuances of licenses, certificates of
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Only the Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director, registry, and merchant mariners’
Designated Coast Guard Ethics Official Inspections and Compliance. documents; (b) medical standards and
or his designee may release a [FR Doc. 2015–29836 Filed 11–23–15; 8:45 am] guidelines for the physical
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Confidential Financial Disclosure BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
qualifications of operators of
Report. Applicants can obtain this form commercial vessels; (c) medical
by going to the Web site of the Office of examiner education; and (d) medical
Government Ethics (www.oge.gov), or by research.
contacting the individual listed above in The Committee voted to accept Task
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Statement 1 during the second public
Applications for a Special Government meeting held on May 8–9, 2012 in
Employees that are not accompanied by Martinsburg, WV. This task requested
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![73200 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 226 / Tuesday, November 24, 2015 / Notices
that the Committee review sections of Statement 1 is a work product of the submissions, please use only one of the
NVIC 04–08, ‘‘Medical and Physical Committee and therefore is not an following methods to submit comments:
Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant official Coast Guard policy and may not (1) Online. Submit comments via the
Mariner Credentials,’’ to ensure that the be cited as an official agency position. Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site at
Coast Guard’s guidance is in compliance The Coast Guard may use the response, http://www.regulations.gov under e-
with all current regulations and reflects or portions of the response, for Docket ID number USCIS–2006–0068;
medical considerations that are development of future policy. (2) Email. Submit comments to
appropriate for merchant mariners. USCISFRComment@uscis.dhs.gov;
Task Statement 1 required the Authority
(3) Mail. Submit written comments to
following inputs. First, it required the This notice is issued under the DHS, USCIS, Office of Policy and
working group to review the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 46 U.S.C. Strategy, Chief, Regulatory Coordination
introduction and Enclosures 1, 2, 5, and 7101 et seq., 46 CFR 10.215, and Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue
6 of NVIC 04–08 to ensure compliance Department of Homeland Security NW., Washington, DC 20529–2140.
with existing Coast Guard regulations in Delegation No. 0710.1. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the Code of Federal Regulations. Dated: November 17, 2015. USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy,
Second, it required the working group to Regulatory Coordination Division, Laura
V. B. Gifford, Jr.,
review all medical conditions listed in Dawkins, Chief, 20 Massachusetts
Enclosures 3 and 4 of the NVIC and Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of
Inspections and Compliance. Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529–
perform the following actions: 2140, telephone number 202–272–8377.
[FR Doc. 2015–29837 Filed 11–23–15; 8:45 am]
—Identify circumstances defining (This is not a toll-free number.)
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
inordinate risk for the condition. Comments are not accepted via
—Identify circumstances which would telephone message). Please note contact
decrease the risk from inordinate. information provided here is solely for
—Determine appropriate amplifying DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY questions regarding this notice. It is not
information and testing required to
for individual case status inquiries.
assess the condition.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Applicants seeking information about
—Identify the standards used to
determine the suitability of the Services the status of their individual cases can
condition. check Case Status Online, available at
—Determine the minimum compliance [OMB Control Number 1615–0047] the USCIS Web site at http://
for the condition that should allow www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS
safe operation. Agency Information Collection National Customer Service Center at
—Determine whether or not a waiver is Activities: Employment Eligibility 800–375–5283 (TTY 800–767–1833).
required and define waiver Verification, Form I–9; Revision of a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
parameters. Currently Approved Collection
Comments
—Work with the Top Mariner AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
Conditions working group to You may access the information
Immigration Services, Department of
incorporate their recommendations Homeland Security. collection instrument with instructions,
for the top medical conditions. or additional information, by visiting
ACTION: 60-Day notice. the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at:
Subsequently, a working group was
established. The working group was SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland http://www.regulations.gov and enter
comprised of individual members of Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and USCIS–2006–0068 in the search box.
MEDMAC and the public, although the Immigration Services (USCIS) invites Regardless of the method used for
composition of the working group the general public and other Federal submitting comments or material, all
changed over time. The Committee agencies to comment upon this submissions will be posted, without
voted to accept the response to Task proposed revision of a currently change, to the Federal eRulemaking
Statement 1 provided by the working approved collection of information. In Portal at http://www.regulations.gov,
group during the sixth public meeting accordance with the Paperwork and will include any personal
held on September 29–30, 2014 in Piney Reduction Act of 1995, the information information you provide. Therefore,
Point, MD. All working group meetings collection notice is published in the submitting this information makes it
were open to the public. Federal Register to obtain comments public. You may wish to consider
The response to Task Statement 1 is regarding the nature of the information limiting the amount of personal
in the form of a revised NVIC 04–08. collection, the categories of information that you provide in any
This revision includes both the respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., voluntary submission you make to DHS.
introduction to NVIC 04–08 as well as the time, effort, and resources used by DHS may withhold information
revised versions of each of the the respondents to respond), the provided in comments from public
enclosures. In accordance with the task estimated cost to the respondent, and viewing that it determines may impact
statement, the working group has made the actual information collection the privacy of an individual or is
revisions to each enclosure, but made instruments. offensive. For additional information,
substantial revisions to enclosures 3 and please read the Privacy Act notice that
4. These enclosures, entitled ‘‘Vision DATES: Comments are encouraged and is available via the link in the footer of
will be accepted for 60 days until
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and Hearing Standards’’ and ‘‘Guidance http://www.regulations.gov.
on Specific Medical Conditions,’’ January 25, 2016. Written comments and suggestions
provide detailed guidelines that can ADDRESSES: All submissions received from the public and affected agencies
help the Coast Guard make fitness must include the Office of Management should address one or more of the
determinations for mariners to maintain and Budget (OMB) Control Number following four points:
their credentials. 1615–0047 in the subject box, the (1) Evaluate whether the proposed
The Merchant Mariner Medical agency name, and Docket ID USCIS– collection of information is necessary
Advisory Committee’s response to Task 2006–0068. To avoid duplicate for the proper performance of the
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Document Created: 2015-12-14 14:09:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 14:09:08
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability. | |
| Contact | If you have questions on this notice, email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 73199 |
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