Supporting Statement

for

Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing

of Commercial Vessel Personnel

OMB No.: 1625-0001

COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:  CG-2692, CG-2692A, CG-2692B, 

CG-2692C, CG-2692D & Instruction

A.  Justification

1)  Circumstances that make the collection necessary.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty

Title 46 U.S.C. 6101 authorizes the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations
for the reporting of marine casualties involving death, serious injury,
material loss of property, material damage affecting the seaworthiness
of a vessel, or significant harm to the environment.  It also requires
that information on the use of alcohol be included in a marine casualty
report.  These reporting requirements permit the Coast Guard to initiate
the immediate investigation of marine casualties as required by 46
U.S.C. 6301, in order to:  (a) determine the causes of casualties, and,
(b) whether existing safety standards are adequate or whether new laws
or regulations need to be developed.  The overall goal of investigations
therefore is to identify pertinent safety lessons and to initiate
appropriate steps for reducing the likelihood of similar accidents in
the future.  Regulations implementing reporting requirements and
investigative procedures are contained in 46 CFR Part 4.  The table
below identifies which part of the CFR corresponds to the subject.

Table 1

Report of Marine Casualty: CFR, Subject and Affected Population

46 CFR		Subject and Affected Population

4.05-10	Written report of marine casualty.

Owners, agents, masters, operators, or persons in charge are required to
submit a written report with details about the casualty (CG-2692,
supplemented as necessary by CG-2692A, CG-2692B CG-2692C and CG-2692D).

4.05-12	Alcohol or drug use by individuals directly involved in
casualties.

On form CG-2692 the marine employer is required to identify those
individuals for whom evidence of intoxication has been obtained; and
specifies the method used to determine whether there is any evidence of
alcohol or drug use by individuals directly involved in the casualty. 

4.06-5(b)	Refusal to provide blood, breath or urine specimens for
chemical tests.

The marine employer is required to document such refusal on the form
CG-2692B and in the logbook if the vessel involved is required to have
one. 

4.06-60 (a) – (d)	Submission of reports and test results.

The marine employer is required to complete and submit form CG-2692B
after a serious marine incident occurs. 

The marine employer is also required to submit the report of chemical
test results for each person listed in the CG-2692B.*  

  *  The regulation specifies that all chemical testing results be
submitted to the Coast Guard.  In The Department of Transportation’s
(DOT) Paperwork Reduction Act submission titled Procedures for
Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, OMB # 2105-0529, DOT
has taken the responsibility of the burden posed by reporting the result
of drug tests.  The Coast Guard is the only transportation mode that
requires alcohol testing results; therefore, only the burden of
reporting alcohol testing results is accounted in this submission.

II.  Chemical Testing

Title 46 U.S.C. 7503 requires the Coast Guard to deny the issuance of
licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner’s documents
(seaman’s papers) to users of dangerous drugs.  Similarly, 46 U.S.C.
7704 requires the Coast Guard to revoke such papers when a holder of the
same has been shown to be a drug user.  Congress has shown increased
interest in this problem by enacting 46 U.S.C. 2302 and 18 U.S.C.
Chapter 17A, which prohibit an individual from operating a vessel while
intoxicated by any drug or alcohol.  Until 1988, the primary means of
detecting drug use has been through examination of criminal conviction
records of applicants and holders of seaman’s papers.  This results in
a narrowly focused method.  It does not identify drug users in a timely
manner.  

With advances in the reliability and accessibility of chemical testing
methods, the Coast Guard developed drug and alcohol testing requirements
that provide meaningful enforcement of existing statutory prohibitions. 
These requirements are part of a DOT-wide initiative for reducing and
deterring substance abuse in all modes of commercial transportation and
are consistent with regulations issued by other regulatory agencies.

Coast Guard regulations implementing chemical testing requirements are
contained in 46 CFR Part 16.  DOT implemented its own drug and alcohol
testing requirements, contained in 49 CFR Part 40, some of which
overlapped with the Coast Guard’s regulatory requirements in this
area.  Therefore the burdens associated with the overlapping regulatory
requirements that were calculated in the previous Collection of
Information renewal have now been moved over to DOT.  The details
associated with this burden can be found in DOT Collection of
Information titled Procedures for Transportation Drug and Alcohol
Testing Program, OMB # 2105-0529. 

The table below identifies the parts of the CFR that the Coast Guard is
now responsible for, and shows the populations that correspond to the
applicable area of regulation.

Table 2

Chemical Testing: CFR, Subject and Affected Population

46 CFR	Subject and Affected Population

16.201 (c)	Positive drug/alcohol test report.

Employers are required to report positive results to the OCMI..

16.207	Foreign Laws Exemption Program. 

Employers of U.S. citizens operating in foreign waters may, under
certain circumstances, request exemption from these drug-testing
requirements. 

16.220	Periodic testing requirements.

All applicants for original issuance or a renewal of a license, a
certificate of registry, or a merchant mariner’s document, are
required to provide results of a chemical test or evidence of
participation in a random testing program.

16.250 (c) and (d)	Reasonable cause testing requirement.

When the marine employer requires testing of an individual based upon a
reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use, the individual must be
informed of that fact and directed to provide a urine specimen.  This
fact shall be entered in the vessel’s official logbook, if one is
required.  If an individual involved in a SMI refuses to provide a urine
specimen when directed to do so by the employer, this fact shall be
entered in the vessel’s official logbook if one is required.

16.401(a) and (b)	Employee assistance program education and training.

All employers are required to provide an Employee Assistance Program.  

In the program, the displaying and distribution of informational
material is required.

The documentation of training given to crewmembers and the employer’s
supervisor personnel is required.

The documentation that supervisory personnel received 60 minutes of
training is also required.



III.  Strategic Goals

This information collection supports the following strategic goals:

Department of Homeland Security

Prevention

Protection

Coast Guard

Maritime Safety

Maritime Stewardship

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

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

Reduce the risk of major loss of life on passenger vessels

Reduce the amount of oil discharged into the marine environment

Reduce the amount of chemicals entering the environment

2)  Purpose of the information collection.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty

Title 46 CFR 4.05.1 requires that "the owner, agent, master, operator,
or person in charge, shall notify the nearest Sector Office, Marine
Inspection Office or Coast Guard Group Office whenever a vessel is
involved in a marine casualty.  Receipt of a marine casualty report
(CG-2692) is often the only way in which the Coast Guard becomes aware
of a marine accident.  It is therefore a necessary first step that
provides the Coast Guard with the opportunity to determine the extent to
which a casualty will be investigated.  In the short term, the
information provided in the report may also trigger:  (a) corrective
safety actions addressing immediate hazards or defective conditions; 
(b) further investigations of mariners’ conduct or professional
competence; and/or,  (c) civil or criminal enforcement actions by the
Coast Guard, other Federal agencies, or state and local authorities. 
For a marine casualty involving multiple barges, a form CG-2692A (Barge
Addendum) may be used to report data for barges causing or sustaining
damage in the accident described on form CG-2692.  This form may only be
used in addition to form CG-2692, never alone.  Proposed forms CG-2692C
(Personnel Casualty Addendum) and CG-2692D (Involved Person and
Witnesses Addendum) may also be used in conjunction with form CG-2692 as
needed.  

Form CG-2692B in particular will be utilized for reporting chemical
testing following serious marine incidents.  The two-page form will
capture elementary information on the incident category, names of
individuals directly involved, whether urine, blood, or breath samples
were obtained, and where the samples have been sent for analysis.  The
Coast Guard can use this critical information to: (a) initiate
administrative action against a commercial mariner’s right to continue
holding seaman’s papers, (b) initiate civil or criminal penalty action
when an individual has been found to be operating a vessel while
intoxicated, and, (c) assess the impact of drug or alcohol use in
serious marine incidents.

In the long term, information contained in the report becomes part of a
comprehensive marine casualty database at Coast Guard Headquarters. 
This database is utilized extensively by the Coast Guard for:  

(a) identifying specific safety problems and analyzing longer-term
trends,  (b) publishing casualty summaries and annual statistics for
public use,  (c) supporting the need for additional safety oversight or
regulation,  (d) measuring the effectiveness  of existing safety
regulatory programs, and, (e) better focusing of limited Coast Guard
marine safety resources.  This database is also continually in use by
other Federal and state government agencies, marine industry
researchers, international groups or foreign government representatives
involved in marine safety issues, and the public.

II.  Chemical Testing

Reasonable cause and periodic testing requirements outlined in 46 CFR 16
are designed for marine employers to identify users of dangerous drugs
and/or alcohol.  As required by 46 CFR 16.201 (C), the marine employer
must notify the nearest OCMI in writing  when a individual holding a
Coast Guard credential fails a chemical test for dangerous drugs.  The
individual testing positive must be denied employment and is subject to
suspension and revocation proceedings against their credential under
46 CFR Part 5.

3)  Considerations of the use of improved information technology.  

The information may be submitted in writing or electronically via
facsimile or e-mail.  All forms used for this collection can be found on
the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Web site
at--   HYPERLINK "http://homeport.uscg.mil"  http://homeport.uscg.mil 
Missions > Investigations.  We estimate that 100% of the reporting and
recordkeeping requirements can be done electronically.  At this time, we
estimate that 40% are done electronically.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty 

Marine casualty reports forms may be downloaded, filled out and
submitted in writing, electronically via e-mail, or by facsimile
equipment.

II.  Chemical Testing

Marine employer records, when required, may be submitted electronically
via e-mail, or by facsimile equipment.

4)  Efforts to identify duplication.  

There is no duplication of this information at the Federal level.  The
Coast Guard is the only Federal agency that collects this information
from the marine industry and the public.

5)  Methods used to minimize the burden to small businesses 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.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty 

Information is collected only upon occurrence of a reportable marine
casualty.  Less frequent collection of such information would directly
conflict with a well-established statutory mandate, would lead to
inconsistencies with data already collected, and would severely diminish
the capability to identify specific safety hazards and accurately
analyze unsafe trends in the commercial marine industry.  This in turn
would have a highly negative impact on the Coast Guard's continuing
efforts to reduce the incidence of marine casualties.

II.  Chemical Testing

Circumstances requiring periodic testing are identified in 46 CFR
16.220.  Testing is required for an original issuance/renewal of a CG
credential, a raise in grade, and certain first endorsements, Less
frequent collection will reduce marine employer’s’ capability to
identify drug users and the Coast Guard’s ability to take enforcement
action concerning drug or alcohol use by commercial mariners.  This
reduced capability would have obvious negative consequences on marine
safety.

7)  Special collection circumstances.  

This information collection is conducted in manner consistent with the
guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

8)  Consultation.  

A 60-day Notice was published in the Federal Register to obtain public
comment on this collection (see USCG-2015-0910; October 23, 2015; 80 FR
64430).  In the Notice we specifically sought comments on the proposed
change from 3 to 5 marine casualty-related forms.  We highlight this by
stating—

The Coast Guard recently reviewed its regulations and policies with
respect to the marine casualty reporting requirements found in 46 CFR
Part 4.  During this project, an evaluation of comments and feedback
from the maritime industry and general public, as well as an internal
assessment of current statutory and regulatory requirements and Coast
Guard policies, identified the need to revise the form used by the
public to submit written reports of marine casualties, the Form CG-2692
(currently titled Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death) and its
Addendum forms.  

The resulting proposal to revise these forms, which includes revising
the title name of the form and taking certain sections of the CG-2692
and moving them to two new Addendum forms (facilitates multiple entry
capability not currently available) have been drafted with the following
goals in mind:

Reduce the overall amount of information required to be entered to
submit reports for marine casualties while still meeting all statutory
and regulatory requirements.

Clarify what types of incidents require the submission of the written
report and seek the inclusion of additional information, entered on one
or more of the Addendum forms, only when it is necessary.

Reformat and organize the information on the forms such that it is more
adaptable to the development of an alternate electronic means of
submission. 

The 60-day Notice received 2 public comment submissions.  A summary of
public comments and Agency responses follow—

The first commenter asked that future versions of the form CG-2692 be
“unlocked” so that a computer application that the commenter’s
company uses may auto-fill in the form data elements.  

We are unable to accommodate this request at this time, as it is Coast
Guard policy that public use forms be locked/secured so they may not be
modified.  However, this concern may be alleviated in the future as the
Coast Guard moves to permit the online submission of marine casualty
reports.  

The second commenter raised five issues.  The first issue raised by the
commenter stated that the ICR title "Marine Casualty Information and
Periodic Chemical Testing Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Vessel
Personnel" is in error and could lead to erroneous reporting of test
results.  

We agree with the commenter that the historical use of the term
“Periodic” may result in some confusion resulting in unnecessary
reporting of chemical test results to the Coast Guard.  As a result, we
revised the title to remove that term and to better reflect the intent
of the collection.  The revised title is “Report of Marine Casualty &
Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel”.

The second issue raised by the commenter addressed the wording found in
the "Need" section of the 60-day Notice.  The commenter questioned the
appropriateness of the term “cured” noting that the opinion of a
majority of substance abuse treatment specialists have determined that
substance abuse is never cured, but rather, is a treatable medical
condition.  The commenter further noted that that the Coast Guard
regulation, 46 CFR 16.201(f), acknowledges that the individual is not
required to be cured.  Rather, that the individual is determined to be
of sufficiently low-risk for misuse by a Medical Review Officer.

We agree with the commenter that the inclusion of the historical term
“cured” is inconsistent with existing Coast Guard regulations
regarding chemical testing requirements and that current substance-abuse
rehabilitative science determines addiction to be a treatable condition
that is not curable.  For these reasons, we edited our “Need”
section in this Notice to remove the term “cured” and inserted
language that is both consistent with existing Coast Guard regulations
and current substance-abuse rehabilitative science.  

The third issue raised by the commenter was a statement questioning the
data found on the form OMB 83-I of the ICR.  The commenter stated that
it was challenging to understand the quantitative dispersion of annual
responses published in the ICR.  The commenter asked for greater
specificity as to the representative value of the 180,489 annual
responses.  The commenter requested additional information to include
identification information of the responders, a summary of the
responses, the timeframe in which the responses were received, a
comparison of the 180,489 responses received in other years and finally,
analytical data to determine the mean average of responses for the last
five years.

We note that the form OMB 83-I information is a summary, and that a
detailed breakdown of the responses are found in Appendix A to the
Supporting Statement.  The Supporting Statement and Appendix A are found
in the docket to the Notice (see documents USCG-2015-0910-0004 and
USCG-2015-0910-0005 respectively).  Further we note that the number of
180,489 annual responses is generally consistent with year-over-year
comparisons and represents neither the least or greatest annual response
rate in recent years.  Therefore, we hold this number to be both
accurate and representative of the annual response burden upon industry.
 We do not agree with the commenter that an exhaustive analytical review
of the data is necessary.  

The fourth issue raised by the commenter questioned who is going to be
responsible for the completion of the proposed new forms [CG-2692C &
CG-2692D]?  The commenter opined that the stated intent of the ICR, to
streamline the reporting process and to reduce the burden upon industry,
would not be the outcome of adding two new forms.  The commenter further
stated that it should be the responsibility of the Coast Guard to
complete the new forms themselves.  

As explained in the 60-day Notice section entitled “Why is the Coast
Guard Proposing to Add 2 New Forms”, these two new forms do not seek
to add any new information to be collected in the request.  Instead,
they take certain sections of the existing form CG-2692 and move them to
these two new forms.  Additionally, in the event there are multiple
entries required (e.g. several injuries, etc.) these new forms easily
facilitate multiple entries for the submitter.  As with the current
forms and consistent with the regulatory requirements found in Title 46
CFR Part 4, the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge of a
vessel are responsible to complete the forms.  

The fifth issue raised by the commenter requested greater information
concerning the evaluation of comments from the maritime industry and
general public identifying the need to revise these forms and to add two
new forms.  Specifically, the commenter asked if the evaluation was
published or if an information request was published to facilitate this
evaluation?  

The Coast Guard conducted multiple opportunities for marine industry and
public participation to the evaluation of the marine casualty reporting
process.  This effort was made by the Coast Guard to ensure both the
marine industry and the public were provided multiple opportunities to
provide input to the revision of the marine casualty reporting process. 
The Coast Guard also conducted a deliberative internal review of process
logistics to ensure that only information necessary to evaluating marine
casualties was included as required reporting in the proposed new forms.
 

The Coast Guard engagement with the marine industry and the public was
designed to ensure multiple opportunities for participation and to
include a broad representative sample of input.  In 2013, the Coast
Guard’s Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) was consulted in
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.  The input received
from TSAC, advising revision to the marine casualty reporting process,
contributed greatly to this proposal to reformat and restructure the
existing form CG-2692.  

Again in 2014, the Coast Guard sought-out input from the marine industry
and the public when we issued a Notice of Availability and Request for
Comments on January 14, 2014 ( 79 FR 2466) for a draft Navigation and
Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC).  This publication provided guidance
for the identification and reporting of marine casualties.  

The comments received from the marine industry and the public to this
NVIC proposal, advising revision to the marine casualty reporting
process, contributed greatly to the proposal to reformat and restructure
the existing form CG-2692.  

A 30-day Notice will be published in the Federal Register to obtain
additional public comment on this collection.  A summary of the public
comments to the 60-day Notice and Agency responses will be part of the
30-day Notice.  

9)  Provide any payment or gift to respondents.  

There is no offer of monetary or material value for this information
collection.

10)  Assurances of confidentiality provided to respondents.  

There are no assurances of confidentiality provided to the respondents
for this information collection.  This information collection is covered
by a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and System of Records Notice
(SORN).  Details follows—

Privacy Impact Assessment for the Marine Information for Safety and Law
Enforcement (MISLE) System // September 3, 2009 // DHS/USCG/PIA-008.  

Privacy Act of 1974; United States Coast Guard--013 Marine Information
for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) System of Records Notice
(DHS/USCG-013) [June 25, 2009; Docket No. DHS-2008-0110; 74 FR 30305].
 

The PIA and SORN are available at—  HYPERLINK
"http://www.dhs.gov/privacy" http://www.dhs.gov/privacy  .  

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

The Coast Guard’s authority and need for collecting information,
including sensitive information, is stated on form CG-2692.  In part, it
states—46 U.S.C. §6301 and 46 CFR Part 4 authorizes the collection of
this information.  Reportable marine casualty information is needed for
Coast Guard investigations of vessel casualties involving death, vessel
damage, and property loss and data reports mandated by Congress. 
Information gathered is also used to determine whether new or revised
safety initiatives are necessary.  Additionally, chemical testing
information is needed to improve Coast Guard detection and reduction of
drug use by mariners.

12)  Estimate of annual hour and cost burden.  

The estimated annual number of respondents is 32,589.

The estimated annual number of responses is 180,489.

The estimated annual hour burden is 23,586 hours.

The estimated annual cost burden is $1,060,986.

The burden to respondents is provided in Appendix A.  The wage rates
shown are in accordance with the current edition of COMDTINST
7310.1(series) for “Out-Government” personnel.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty 

We estimate that it takes about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to
complete all parts of the form (CG-2692, with CG-2692A, CG-2692B,
CG-2692C & CG-2692D when necessary).  The position of a vessel
crewmember is analogous to a GS-03.  In addition, some Report of Marine
Casualty forms may undergo additional processing by respondents.  To
account for this additional time, we estimate that up to 10% of the
forms submitted may have about 10 hours of additional burden.  The
additional time reflects company internal review by individuals in
additional to the person that completed the form.  The additional
reviewers may be shore-side reps, port engineers, attorneys, etc.  We
estimate the wage rate for this added review is done by personnel
analogous to a GS-14.  

II.  Chemical Testing  

Depending on the task (requirement), we estimate that it will take from
about 0.065 hours (4 min.) to 2 hours for a vessel crewmember or
shore-side personnel to perform the required reporting and recordkeeping
activity.  See Appendix A for a detailed breakdown of tasks and times. 
The position of a vessel crewmember or shore-side personnel is analogous
to a GS-03.  The number of respondents, and responses per respondent,
are based on historical estimates.  

13)  Estimate of annualized capital and start-up costs.  

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

14)  Estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government.  

The estimated annual Federal Government cost is $524,436 (see Appendix
B).  The wage rate shown is in accordance with the current edition of
COMDTINST 7310.1(series) for “In-Government” personnel.  

I.  Report of Marine Casualty 

We estimate that it takes about 1 hour by a Lieutenant Junior Grade
(LTJG; O-2) to process each form
CG-2692/CG-2692A/CG-2692B/CG-2692C/CG-2692D, including auditing at a
local field investigation office and the entry of pertinent information
into a computerized database at Coast Guard Headquarters.  

II.  Chemical Testing

We estimate that it takes about 0.1 hours by a LTJG to process each
chemical testing report, or review each chemical testing record,
including auditing at a local field investigation office and the
entering of pertinent information into our computerized database.  

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.  The reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and methodology for calculating burden,
remain unchanged.  

Regarding forms, we have revised the 3 forms related to this collection
and propose to add 2 new forms.  An explanation of why we are making
these changes is in section 8 of this ICR.  See Table 3 below for how
the form titles are revised.

Table 3

Form Title Changes

Form	Existing Title	Proposed New Title

CG-2692	Report of Marine Casualty	Report of Marine Casualty, Commercial
Diving Casualty, or OCS-related Casualty

CG-2692A	Barge Addendum	Barge Addendum

CG-2692B	Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following
a Serious Marine Incident	Report of Mandatory Chemical Testing Following
a Serious Marine Incident Involving Vessels in Commercial Service

CG-2692C	n/a, new form	Personnel Casualty Addendum

CG-2692D	n/a, new form	Involved Persons and Witnesses Addendum



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.

  Generally tests are required on issuance, reissuance, upgrades, annual
physicals, raise in grade, etc. of CG licenses, COR, MMD, or MMC.

  The Coast Guard estimates that it takes up to 1 hour to complete a
form CG-2692/A/B/C/D.  However, we received public comments in 2013
stating that some submitters take more time—up to 8-12 hours—to
complete the form.  The reason for this difference is that some entities
have the form(s) reviewed by shore-side personnel, such as an attorney
prior to submission to the CG.  The practice of having a form reviewed
by an attorney is not required by CG regulation.  While we believe that
this does not typically occur, we adjusted our burden estimate to
account for the added review.  

1625-0001

 PAGE   

  PAGE  1  of   NUMPAGES   9 

