Supporting Statement

for

Plan Approval and Records for Vital System Automation 

OMB No.: 1625-0047

COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:  Instruction 

A.  Justification

1.  Circumstances which make the collection of information necessary.  

(a)  The collection of information pertaining to the vital automation
systems of commercial vessels is necessary to protect personnel and
property on board U.S. flag commercial vessels.  The vital systems in
machinery and engineering spaces of Coast Guard inspected commercial
vessels are automated for a variety of reasons.  These reasons include
convenience of operation, improvements of efficiency, reduction of
personnel, and the detection and control of unsafe conditions.  Most
automation is implemented at the discretion of the vessel owner to
reduce necessary manning and increase operating efficiency, thereby
significantly reducing operating costs.

(b)  The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) currently addresses the
technical criteria for the safe and reliable automation of these
vessels—see 46 CFR Parts 61 and 62.  The statutory authority for the
requirements is 46 U.S.C. 3306.  These regulations also ensure that U.S.
flag vessels conform to the automation regulations of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.  The U.S. is signatory to this
convention.

This information collection supports the following strategic goals: 

Department of Homeland Security

Prevention

Coast Guard

Maritime Safety

Prevention Policy & Response Policy Directorates (CG-5P & CG-5R)

Reduce crewmember deaths and injuries on U.S. commercial vessels

Reduce the number of collisions, allisions, and groundings

2.  Purpose of the information collection.  

This information, which is collected by the Coast Guard, is used to
determine compliance with safety regulations.  Through the review of the
plans prior to construction, the vessel owner or builder may be assured
that the vessel, if built in accordance with the plans, will meet the
regulatory standards.  

3.  Considerations of the use of improved technology.  

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC) accepts information/plans via
electronic submittal.  For information on submitting information go
to—   HYPERLINK "https://homeport.uscg.mil/msc" 
https://homeport.uscg.mil/msc  > Contact Us > Mail Address, Telephone
Contacts, and E-Commerce Info.  Information may also be submitted to the
CG Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) at the local Sector
Office.  Contact info for CG OCMIs can be found at—  HYPERLINK
"http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/"  http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/ . 
Electronic submission is voluntary, and we estimate that 86% of
respondents submit their plans electronically.

4.  Efforts to identify duplication.  

There are no other Federal agencies with similar programs, thus there is
no duplication of other Federal information collections.

5.  Methods used to minimize the burdens to small business if involved. 


This information collection does not have an impact on small businesses
or other small entities.

6.  Consequences to the Federal program if collection were conducted
less frequently.  

If this information were not collected, the Coast Guard would not be
able to carry out its responsibility for the promotion of safety on
commercial vessels.  The information cannot be collected any less
frequently, as the information is submitted when the owner seeks Coast
Guard approval of automation installations or changes in vessel manning.

7.  Special collection circumstances.  

This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the
guidelines in 5 CFR 1320(d)(2).

8.  Consultation.  

A 60-day Notice will be published in the Federal Register to obtain
public comment on this collection.  

9.  Provide any payments or gifts to respondents.  

The Coast Guard does not provide payment of gifts to respondents in
exchange for a benefit sought.

10.  Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents. 


There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents
for this information collection.

11.  Additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.  

There are no questions of sensitive language.

12.  Estimate of annual hour and cost burdens to respondents.  

The estimates number of annual respondents is 96.  

The estimated number of annual responses is 620.  

The estimated annual hour burden is 46,500 hours.  

The estimated annual cost burden is $3,999,000.  

The burden to respondents is provided in Appendix A.  We estimate that
it takes 75 hours per plan submission and that a submission is done by a
technical specialist.  The position of a technical specialist is
equivalent to a GS-13.  The wage rate used is in accordance with the
current edition of COMDTINST 7310.1(series) for “Out-Government”
personnel.  

13.  Total of annualized capital and start-up costs.  

There are no recordkeeping, capital, start-up or maintenance costs
associated with this information collection.

14.  Estimates of annualized Federal Government costs.  

The estimated annual Federal Government cost is $99,200 (see Appendix
B).  We estimate that it will take 2 hours by a GS-13 to review and
process each submission.  The wage rate shown is in accordance with the
current edition of COMDTINST 7310.1(series) for “In-Government”
personnel.

15.  Explain the reasons for change in burden.  

The change in burden is an ADJUSTMENT due to a change (i.e., increase)
in the estimated annual number of responses.  There is no proposed
change to the reporting requirements of this collection.  The reporting
requirements, and the methodology for calculating burden, remain
unchanged.  

16.  Plans for tabulation, statistical analysis and publication.  

This information collection will not be published for statistical
purposes.  

17.  Approval for not explaining the expiration date for OMB approval.  

The Coast Guard will display the expiration date for OMB approval of
this information collection.

18.  Exception to the certification statement.  

The Coast Guard does not request an exception to the certification of
this information collection.

B.  Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

  Plan submission is not an annual requirement.  A plan submission is
only required for ship construction or modification.  

1625-0047  

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