[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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