Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

December 21, 1998.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its

continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public

and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the

following information collection, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or

sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently

valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for

failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control

number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed

collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of

the functions of the Commission, including whether the

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information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the

Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility,

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

burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including

the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before February 5,

1999. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find

it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,

you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications

Commissions, Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or

via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0835.

Title: Ship Inspection Certificates.

Form Number: FCC 806, FCC 824, FCC 827, and 829.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities; Not-for-

profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Governments.

Number of Respondents: 3,730.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting

requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 101 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $0.

Needs and Uses: The Commission adopted Rules that privatized ship

inspections of ships subject to inspection requirements of the

Communications Act or Safety Convention. The Rules require this

inspection to be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician. This change

reduces the administrative burden on the public and the Commission. To

ensure that vessel safety is not adversely affected by this proposal,

the Commission adopted Rules that private sector technicians certify

that the ship passed an inspection and issue the ship a safety

certificate.

The Communications Act requires that the Commission must inspect

the radio installation of large cargo ships and certain passenger ships

at least once a year to ensure that the radio installation is in

compliance with the requirements of the Communications Act.

Additionally, the Communications Act requires the inspection of small

passenger ships at least once every five years. The Safety Convention

(to which the United States is a signatory) also requires an annual

inspection, but permits an Administration to entrust the inspections to

either surveyors nominated for the purpose or to organizations

recognized by it. Therefore, the United States can have other entities

conduct the radio inspection of vessels for compliance with the Safety

Convention. The Commission adopted rules that FCC-licensed technicians

provide a summary of the results of the inspection in the ship's log

and furnish the vessel with a ship inspection safety certificate. The

purpose of the information is to ensure that the inspection was

successful so that passengers and crew members of certain United Sates

ships have access to distress communications in an emergency.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-147 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]

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