
[Federal Register: August 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 159)]
[Notices]               
[Page 47958-47959]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15au08-75]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2008-0830]

 
Towing Safety Advisory Committee; Meetings

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and its working 
groups on the Revision of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 
(NVIC)

[[Page 47959]]

04-01, on the Inspection of Towing Vessels, and on the Medical NVIC 
will meet in Linthicum, MD. The committee will also discuss various 
issues relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation 
and towing safety. All meetings will be open to the public.

DATES: The working groups will meet on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. TSAC will meet on, Thursday, September 18, 2008, 
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. These meetings may close early if all business is 
finished. Written material and requests to make oral presentations at 
the meetings should reach the Coast Guard on or before September 10, 
2008. Requests to have a copy of your material distributed to each 
member of the Committee or working groups should reach the Coast Guard 
electronically on or before September 10, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The working groups and TSAC will meet at the Maritime 
Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS); 692 Maritime 
Boulevard, Linthicum, Maryland 21090; Phone: 410-859-5700. TSAC is 
utilizing the Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) which is 
about two miles away. There are several commercial hotels within 
walking distance of the meeting spaces.
    Send written material and requests to make oral presentations to 
TSAC's Assistant Designated Federal Officer (DFO) in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section below. This notice is available on the 
Internet at www.regulations.gov under the docket number USCG-2008-0830.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald P. Miante, Assistant DFO, 
TSAC; U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, CG-5221, Room 1210; 2100 Second 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001. Telephone (202) 372-1401, fax 
(202) 372-1926, or e-mail at: Gerald.P.Miante@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these meetings is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92-463).

Agenda of Meetings

    NVIC 04-01 Working Group. The agenda for the working group is to 
discuss possible revisions to the Licensing and manning for Officers of 
Towing Vessel NVIC and to the Towing Officer Assessment Records 
(TOARs). The current version of the documents can be viewed at http://
www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/index00.htm#2001.
    Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group. The agenda for the working 
group includes the Economics sub-group deliberating on providing the 
committee with information on estimated compliance costs; and the full 
working group engaging in general discussion regarding inspection 
issues.
    Medical NVIC Working Group. The agenda for the working group is to 
prepare draft recommendations to the committee on revisions to the 
mariner Medical Forms CG-719K and 719-KE. The current forms can be 
viewed at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/downloads.asp.
    Towing Safety Advisory Committee. The agenda for the committee is 
as follows:
    (1) Update of the Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group;
    (2) Discussion and voting on recommendations for the revision of 
mariner Medical Forms CG-719K 719K-E;
    (3) Update on the Legislative Change Proposals (LCP) to (a) form 
the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee and (b) authority to 
apply medical and physical requirements to entry level personnel;
    (4) Update on the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Rulemaking;
    (5) Update on the STCW Rulemaking;
    (6) Update on Training and Service Requirements for Merchant Marine 
Officers;
    (7) Update on Commercial/Recreational Boating Interface;
    (8) Update on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential 
(TWIC); and
    (9) Discussion on the Review and Recommendations for the Revision 
of NVIC 4-01 ``Licensing and Manning for Officers of Towing Vessels.''

Procedural

    All meetings are open to the public. Please note that the meetings 
may close early if all business is finished. At the Chair's discretion, 
members of the public may make oral presentations during the meetings. 
If you would like to make an oral presentation at a meeting, please 
notify the Assistant DFO no later than September 10, 2008. Written 
material (20 copies) for distribution at a meeting should reach the 
Coast Guard no later than September 4, 2008. If you would like a copy 
of your material distributed to each member of the Committee or Working 
Groups in advance of a meeting, please submit it electronically to the 
Assistant DFO, for e-mail distribution, no later than September 10, 
2008. Also at the Chair's discretion, members of the public may present 
comment at the end of the Public Meeting. Please understand that the 
Committee's schedule may be quite demanding and time for public comment 
may be limited.

Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
the Assistant Executive Director as soon as possible.

    Dated: August 7, 2008.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. E8-18868 Filed 8-14-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
