
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49002-49003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20000]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0770]


Towing Safety Advisory Committee; Meeting

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet on 
September 19 and 20, 2012. On September 19, the committee will meet to 
discuss administrative matters and then recess for the separate but 
concurrent meetings of the four subcommittees, ``Recommendations for 
the Prevention of Towing Vessel Crewmember Falls Overboard'', ``Review 
and recommendations for the revision of NVIC 1-95, Voluntary Training 
Standards for Entry-Level Personnel on Towing Industry Vessels'', 
``Recommendations for the Enhancement of Towing Vessel Stability'' and 
``Recommendations for Safety Standards of Portable Facility Vapor 
Control Systems Used for Marine Operations.'' The committee will 
reconvene on September 20, 2012. The meetings of the TSAC on both days 
and the meeting of the subcommittees are open to the public.

DATES: On Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the 
TSAC will meet to discuss administrative matters, and from 1:30 to 5 
p.m. the four subcommittees identified in the ``Agenda'' will meet. On 
Thursday, September 20, 2012, the TSAC will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. Please note that these meetings may close early if the committee 
has completed its business. Oral comments may be made at the September 
20 meeting. Written comments must be submitted no later than September 
10, 2012 by using one of the methods listed below.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Federal Center South GSA 
Facility, 4735 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98134.
    If you are planning to attend the meeting, you will be required to 
pass through a security checkpoint. You will be required to show state-
issued photo identification. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before 
the planned start of the meeting in order to pass through security.
    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, 
as soon as possible.
    To facilitate public participation, we are inviting public comment 
on the issues to be considered by the committee as listed in the 
``Agenda'' section below. Written comments must be identified by Docket 
No. USCG-2012-0770 and submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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. We encourage use of 
electronic submissions because security screening may delay the 
delivery of mail.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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 
methods. Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the docket number of this 
action. All comments submitted will be posted on www.regulations.gov 
without alteration and will contain any personal information you 
provided. You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public 
dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 
3316).
    Docket: For access to the docket to read documents or comments 
related to this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov, insert USCG-
2012-0770 in the Keyword ID box, press Enter, and then click on the 
item you are interested in viewing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Rob Smith, Designated 
Federal Officer (DFO) or Mr. Patrick Mannion, Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer (ADFO), TSAC; U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, CG-OES-2, 
Vessel and Facilities Operating Standards Division; telephone (202) 
372-1439, fax (202) 372-1926, or email at: Patrick.J.Mannion@USCG.MIL.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92-463). 
This Committee is established in accordance with and operates under the 
provisions of the FACA. The Towing Safety Advisory Committee provides 
advice and recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security on 
matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway 
navigation and towing safety. See 33 U.S.C. 1231a.

Agenda

    On September 19, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the TSAC will meet 
to discuss administrative matters such as logistical support and review 
the committee charter and bylaws. The TSAC will recess at noon and 
starting at 1:30 p.m. the following four subcommittees will convene to 
discuss work remaining on their open task statements. These 
subcommittees will conclude their meetings at 5 p.m.
     Recommendations for the Prevention of Towing Vessel 
Crewmember Falls Overboard.
     Review and recommendations for the revision of NVIC 1-95, 
Voluntary Training Standards for Entry-Level Personnel on Towing 
Industry Vessels.
     Recommendations for the Enhancement of Towing Vessel 
Stability.
     Recommendations for Safety Standards of Portable Facility 
Vapor

[[Page 49003]]

Control Systems Used for Marine Operations.
    On September 20, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., the TSAC will reconvene. The 
committee will review and discuss the four open Task Statements 
currently before the committee. The TSAC will receive briefings from 
the Task Statement subcommittees to inform the TSAC of their work, to 
review and discuss the research, and to determine the disposition of 
the Task Statements. Presentations and discussions will include the 
following subjects:
     Presentation from the Towing Vessel Stability Casualty 
Data subcommittee and discussion of the task ``Towing Vessel 
Stability;''
     Presentation from the Towing Vessel Crewmember 
Competencies subcommittee and discussion of the task Towing Vessel 
Crewmember Competencies;
     Presentation from the Falls Overboard subcommittee and 
discussion of the task ``Prevention of Falls Overboard, Towing 
Vessels;''
     Presentation on Task Statement ``Recommendations for 
Safety Standards of Portable Facility Vapor Control Systems Used for 
Marine Operations.''
     Presentation of Coast Guard initiative for use of 
automated identification systems for towing vessels during tow 
reconfiguration;
     Presentation of potential Task Statement ``Recommendations 
to Improve Operational, Structural or Other Standards to Enhance Fire 
Prevention and Containment Aboard Towing Vessels.''
     Presentation of potential Task Statement ``Recommendations 
for Inspected Towing Vessel Manning Scales for Both Domestic and 
International Operations'';
     Report from the Supervisor, Towing Vessel National Center 
of Expertise.

Public Comment Period

    An opportunity for oral comments by the public will be provided 
during the meeting on September 20, 2012, as the final agenda item. 
Speakers are requested to limit their comments to 5 minutes. Please 
note that the public oral comment period may end before 4:30 p.m. if 
all of those wishing to comment have done so.

Minutes

    Minutes from the meeting will be available for the public review 
and copying within 30 days following the close of the meeting and can 
be accessed from the Coast Guard Homeport Web site http://homeport.uscg.mil; select these options: Mission>Port and 
Waterways>Safety Advisory Committees>TSAC>Meetings/Minutes or>Task 
Statements or the online docket for this notice.

    Dated: August 7, 2012.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2012-20000 Filed 8-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


