Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

Title: Emergency Beacon Registrations.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public

and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on

proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to NOAA/NESDIS, James Bailey, Chief, Direct Services

Division E/SP3, 4700 Silver Hill Road, Stop 9909, Washington, DC 20233-

9909. Toll-free 1-888-212-7283.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Search and Rescue instruments on NOAA's weather satellites can

detect distress signals from emergency beacons, which are often used on

ships and aircraft. NOAA relays emergency signals to the Coast Guard

and Air Force for rescue efforts. The Federal Communications Commission

requires that emergency beacons be registered with NOAA. Registration

information is provided to the Coast Guard with alert information to

enable it to track down owners when false alarms take place and to

provide vital descriptive characteristics to speed response in actual

distress cases.

II. Method of Collection

The information is collected on a form enclosed in the packaging of

new emergency beacons. The form is also available on the World-Wide-

Web.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0648-0295.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; individuals; business

or other for-profit; State, Local, or Tribal governments; and the

Federal government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0 (no capital expenditures are

required for the registration).

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information shall have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on respondents, including through the use of

automated collection techniques or other forms of information

technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: April 1, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-9011 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]

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