
[Federal Register: August 16, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 157)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 49869-49870]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au10-30]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 173, 174, 181, and 187

[Docket No. USCG-2003-14963]
RIN 1625-AB45

 
Changes to Standard Numbering System, Vessel Identification 
System, and Boating Accident Report Database

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening the public comment period on the 
proposed rule published May 7, 2010, which concerns proposed changes in 
the Standard Numbering System, Vessel Identification System, and 
Boating Accident Report Database.

DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our 
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before October 15, 
2010, or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2003-14963 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
document, call or e-mail Mr. Jeff Ludwig at 2100 2nd St., SW., Stop 
7581, Washington, DC 20593-7581; telephone 202-372-1061, 
Jeffrey.A.Ludwig@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments and related material on this 
rulemaking. All comments received will be posted, without change, to 
http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information 
you have provided.
    Submitting comments: If you submit a comment, please include the 
docket number for this document (USCG-2003-14963) and provide a reason 
for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and 
material online, or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only 
one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a 
mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body 
of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select 
``Notices'' and insert ``USCG-2003-14963'' in the ``Keyword'' box. 
Click ``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' 
column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit 
them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable 
for copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would 
like to know that they have reached the Facility, please enclose a 
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all 
comments and material received during the comment period.
    Viewing comments and documents: To view comments and documents 
related to this rulemaking, go to http://www.regulations.gov, click on 
the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted in blue. 
In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2003-14963'' and click ``Search.'' 
Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions''

[[Page 49870]]

column. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the 
docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-
140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We 
have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the 
Docket Management Facility.
    Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a 
Privacy Act, system of records notice regarding our public dockets in 
the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Reopening of Comment Period

    On May 7, 2010, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
in the Federal Register (75 FR 25137) proposing changes in the Standard 
Numbering System, Vessel Identification System, and Boating Accident 
Report Database that, collectively, are intended to improve 
recreational boating safety efforts, enhance law enforcement 
capabilities, advance maritime security, and clarify requirements for 
all stakeholders. The NPRM announced a 90 day public comment period 
that closed on August 5, 2010.
    We have received comments from the National Association of State 
Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the National Marine 
Manufacturer's Association (NMMA), each requesting a 90 day extension 
of the comment period. The NASBLA comment letter noted that the NPRM 
would be a topic of discussion during their annual conference, which 
will be held from September 10-14, 2010. Since the comment period has 
already closed, the Coast Guard will reopen it for an additional period 
of 60 days. The Coast Guard has determined that reopening the comment 
period for a period of 60 days is consistent with the public interest. 
This will allow the comment period to coincide with the NASBLA annual 
conference and allow members to discuss the NPRM and submit comments 
after the conference. Adding 60 days to the original 90 day comment 
period strikes a balance between allowing adequate time to comment on 
the NPRM and allowing the agency to move forward with the rulemaking 
project. Accordingly, the comment period is reopened until October 15, 
2010.
    This document is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 553.

    Dated: August 9, 2010.
Kevin S. Cook,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Prevention Policy.
[FR Doc. 2010-20122 Filed 8-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

