Expanded Hull Identification Number and New Requirements for Certificates of Origin

SUMMARY: In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published May 6,

1994, the Coast Guard proposed amendments to the regulations concerning

vessel Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) and new regulations requiring

Certificates of Origin for new vessels offered for sale in the United

States. Comments were required to be received by September 6, 1994. The

Coast Guard has received comments from various parties opposing the

proposed 19 character HIN and one comment from an association seeking

an extension of the comment period. This notice announces a workshop to

discuss the proposed expanded HIN, and reopens the comment period on

this rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 1995. The

Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 8,

1994 in room 2415 at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Individuals wishing to make oral presentations at the workshop should

contact Mr. Alston Colihan, as further explained under SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION, at least ten days before the workshop.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine

Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD92-065), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters,

2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered

to room 3406 at the above address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday

through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202)

267-1477. Comments on collection of information must be mailed also 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. Requests to make presentations at the

workshop should be sent to COMMANDANT (G-NAB-6), room 1505, U.S. Coast

Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001,

Attn: Mr. Alston Colihan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Alston Colihan, Auxiliary, Boating, and Consumer Affairs Division,

(202) 267-0981.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in

this rulemaking by submitting written views, data, or arguments.

Persons submitting comments should include their name and address,

identify this rulemaking (CGD 92-065) and the specific section of the

proposal to which each comment applies, and give a reason for each

comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments in an

unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for

copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgement of

receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-address postcards or

envelopes.

The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the

comment period. All comments received after the close of the initial

comment period and before the reopening of the comment period will also

be considered. The Coast Guard may change the proposal in view of the

comments.

Background Information

The NPRM published May 6, 1994 (59 FR 23651), proposed to expand

the existing 12 character HIN to 19 characters. The additional seven

characters would indicate the country code, vessel length, hull

materials, principal means of propulsion, vessel type and a check digit

to make alteration of an HIN more difficult.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviews each proposed rule that

contains a collection of information requirement to determine whether

the practical value of the information is worth the burden imposed by

its collection. Collection of information requirements include

reporting, recordkeeping, notification, labeling and other, similar

requirements. Both OMB and the Coast Guard have received a number of

comments opposing a 19 character HIN because of the information

collection burdens that would be imposed, particularly with the

calculation of the check digit. When using simple arithmetic, those

calculations may take as long as 15 minutes per vessel. Some States are

also opposed to a 19 character HIN because of significant costs to

adapt computers and computer programs for State vessels registration

and numbering systems to 19 characters. In consideration of these

comments, the Coast Guard is conducting a workshop to solicit

additional comments from the public and to serve as an open forum for

discussing the proposed HIN regulations. The workshop will explore

various alternatives to a 19 character HIN.

The NPRM also proposed to require that manufacturers issue

Certificates of Origin for new vessels offered for sale in the United

States. The workshop will not include a discussion of those proposed

requirements. Due to limited time, and in an effort to ensure that the

workshop is as productive as possible, discussion will be strictly

limited to the issues raised by the proposed expansion of the HIN.

Workshop Format

The workshop format will consist of presentations by a panel,

followed by discussions and a question and answer period. The workshop

is open to the public, however, due to limited time, the Coast Guard

will limit the number and duration of panel presentations. Panelists

will be allowed seven minutes to make their presentation. The Coast

Guard will select panel members in a manner designed to ensure the

broadest possible representation of viewpoints. The Coast Guard

specifically solicits representatives of the following groups to

participate in the workshop as panelists:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

The National Marine Manufacturers Association

The American Boat and Yacht Council

The National Association of Marine Investigators

The North American Paddlesports Association

Those wishing to participate as a panel member and give an oral

presentation should submit their name, address, telephone number,

organization represented (if any), and provide a summation of their

presentation at least ten days prior to the workshop, as directed under

ADDRESSES. Individuals selected to be panelists will be notified by the

Coast Guard. Any changes in the location or time of the workshop will

be announced in the Federal Register.

Dated: November 3, 1994.

G. A. Pennington,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and

Waterway Services.

[FR Doc. 94-27758 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]

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