Security for Passenger Vessels and Passenger Terminals

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

33 CFR Parts 120 and 128

[CGD 91-012]

RIN 2115-AD75

Security for Passenger Vessels and Passenger Terminals

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period; Notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening this rulemaking for comment in

response to requests for further time to file comments on the proposed

rule. It is also holding three public hearings. These measures will

ensure that the affected industry has ample time to consider and

comment on the proposed rule and will, to the maximum extent possible,

ensure that the Coast Guard receives the best available information on

which to base any final action on this rulemaking.

DATES: (1) Comments must be received on or before November 30, 1994.

(2) Public hearings will be held on Friday, September 16, 1994, in

Seattle, Washington; on Monday, September 19, in Juneau, Alaska; and on

Wednesday, September 21, 1994, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. All three

hearings will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. (or earlier, if all

speakers have been heard).

ADDRESSES: The public hearing in Seattle will be held at the

Headquarters of the Port of Seattle, Commissioners Chambers, Pier 69,

2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington, The public hearing in Juneau

will be held at Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska. The

public hearing in Fort Lauderdale will be held at the Port Everglades

Authority, Terminal 26, 2026 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety

Council (G-LRA, 3406) [CGD 91-012], 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. The telephone number is (202) 267-

1477. Comments on the collection-of-information requirements must be

mailed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of

Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, ATTN:

Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this

rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be

available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard

Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

A copy of the material listed under ``Incorporation by Reference''

in the preamble to the proposed rule is available for inspection at

room 1108, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LCDR Mark O'Malley, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental

Protection (G-MPS-3), Room 1108, (202) 267-0491, between 7 a.m. and

3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On March 25, 1994, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed

rulemaking (59 FR 14290) proposing to establish equipment standards,

performance standards, and procedures for security against acts of

terrorism on certain passenger vessels and associated passenger

terminals. Passenger vessels of over 100 gross tons carrying more than

12 passengers on voyages of over 24 hours on the high seas and the

associated passenger terminals would have been affected. These rules

appeared necessary because of a lack of voluntary compliance with

measures of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) published in

1986, or with these measures published as Coast Guard ``guidelines'' in

1987.

In response to requests for further time to file comments on the

proposed rule, the Coast Guard is reopening the comment period through

November 30, 1994. It is also holding three public hearings.

Written Comments

The notice of proposed rulemaking published on March 25, 1994,

invited and encouraged interested persons to participate in the

rulemaking by submitting written comments, including views, data, and

arguments, by June 23, 1994. Two organizations representing multiple

members of the affected industry sought further time to file comments,

citing both the need to assess current practices and compare them with

the requirements in the proposed rule and the difficulty of preparing

meaningful responses within the original 90-day comment period. Because

of these requests, the comment period is reopened through November 30,

1994.

Comments should include the name and address of the person making

them, identify this rulemaking [CGD 91-012] and the specific section of

the proposed rule to which each comment applies, and give reasons for

each comment. Anyone wishing an acknowledgment of receipt of comment

should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard. The proposed rule

may be changed in light of comments received. All comments received

during the comment period will be considered before final action is

taken on the proposed rule.

Public Hearing

Several parties sought public hearings so they could present spoken

comments. The proposed rule was responsive to the IMO's resolution in

1986 concerning security of passenger vessels and associated passenger

terminals. In their requests for public hearings, however, several

parties alleged that the rule would have a significant, negative effect

on the passenger vessel industry and that they could state their cases

better orally than in writing. Public hearings will therefore be held

on the dates and at the hours indicated above under DATES and at the

sites indicated above under ADDRESSES.

Interested persons are invited to participate in these hearings.

Each person wishing to make an oral statement should register by

Monday, September 12, 1994. Oral statements by any persons previously

unregistered will be allowed only if time permits. The Coast Guard

reserves the right to impose time limits on oral presentations. It also

reserves the right to close parts of the meetings to enable candor in

the treatment of security against acts of terrorism. To register,

write, telefax, or call the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council

(G-LRA, 3406) [CGD 91-012], U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second

Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001; telephone number (202) 267-1477,

telefax number (202) 267-0506.

Dated: August 31, 1994.

A.E. Henn,

Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commandant.

[FR Doc. 94-22029 Filed 9-6-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-14-M