Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the

Federal Communications Commission

July 21, 1999.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commissions, 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, Pub. L. 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 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 September 27,

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

Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW, 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 Control Number: 3060-0362.

Title: Inspection of Radio Installation on Large Cargo and Small

Passenger Ships.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

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

institutions; and Federal, State, local, or Tribal government(s).

Number of Respondents: 11,318.

Estimate Time per Response: 4.48 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third

party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 44,478.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Needs and Uses: The FCC adopted Rules that privatized inspections

of ships subject to the inspection requirements of the

Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended, and the International

Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ( Safety Convention).

The Communications Act requires the Commission to 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. Small passenger ships must

be inspected at least once every five years. The Safety Convention (to

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

inspection; however, the Safety Convention permits an Administration to

entrust the inspections to either surveyors nominated for the purpose

or to organizations recognized by it. 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 FCC

adopted Rules that private sector technicians certify that the ship

passed an inspection and issue the ship a safety certificate. The Rules

also state that the inspecting technician and the ship's owner,

operator, or captain each certify in the ship's station log that the

vessel has passed a safety inspection. Therefore, the United States can

have other entities conduct the radio inspection of vessels for

compliance with Safety Convention. The Commission adopted Rules that

FCC-licensed technicians provide a summary of the results of the

inspection in the ships's log and provide the vessel with a ship

inspection safety certificate. This ensures 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.

William F. Caton,

Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-19064 Filed 7-26-99; 8:45 am]

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