Supporting Statement

for

Display of Fire Control Plans for Vessels

OMB No.: 1625-0033

COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:  Instruction 

A.  Justification  

1)  Circumstances which make the collection of information necessary.  

The requirement for the display of certain vessel plans is part of the
Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Program in Title 46, Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR).  The Coast Guard requires the posting of general
arrangement plans of the vessel noting the fire detection systems,
manual alarms, fire-fighting equipment, fire doors, entries into
different compartments, and ventilation systems.  The need for ready
availability of this information is particularly critical in the event
of shipboard fire or flooding, to control damage.  In the event an
emergency occurs, in which assistance is rendered from other vessels,
the Coast Guard, or local shoreside fire department, the information and
its availability is crucial in minimizing danger to those on board,
damage to the vessel, and the safety of the port and the environment. 
The Coast Guard authority to mandate such posting requirement is derived
from 46 U.S.C. 3305 and 3306.

This information collection supports the following strategic goals:

Department of Homeland Security

Prevention

Protection

Coast Guard

Maritime Safety

Protection of the Natural Resources

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

Reduce the consequences of pollution incidents

2)  Purpose of the information collection.  

The information contained on these plans is used by shipboard personnel
during routine duties such as equipment and system maintenance or
servicing, as well as under emergency conditions such as fire or
flooding.  In the event assistance is rendered from external sources,
the plans allow rapid familiarization with the vessel and its systems. 
This material is also checked periodically by Coast Guard marine
inspectors to help insure all information is correct and up-to-date. 
Without this requirement, vital safety-related information may not be
available during emergency situations.

3)  Considerations of the use of improved technology.  

The information is not submitted but rather must be displayed on the
vessel.  The plans may be maintained in written or electronic form.  The
plans may be in any medium, such as a booklet or on computer software,
provided that the details are available to each officer and a copy is
retained on board at all times and is accessible during emergencies.  

4)  Efforts to identify duplication.  

The display of plans is also required for compliance with SOLAS chapter
II-2, Regulation 15.2.4 for vessels engaged in international voyages.  

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 or policy if collection were
conducted less frequently.  

The failure to have the vessel plans available could be a major safety
problem in the event of an emergency situation.  

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 will be published in the Federal Register to obtain
public comment on this collection.  

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.  

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

There are no questions of sensitive language.  

12)  Burden Hour and Annualized Cost Estimates.

The estimated annual number of respondents is 1,151.

The estimated annual number of responses is 1,151.

The estimated annual hour burden is 576.

The estimated annual cost burden is $61,632.

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

Fire Control Plans:  Certain vessels must display (i.e., post) fire
control plans.  We estimate that annually it will take vessel personnel
about 0.5 hours (30 minutes) to validate/update/post the required plans.
 The task will be completed by a Mate.  The position of a Mate is
analogous to a Lieutenant (O-3).  

13)  Estimate of 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 $4,524 (see Appendix B).
 Coast Guard personnel review fire control plans during periodic
inspections, random boardings, and post-casualty investigations.  We
estimate that about 50% of the vessels that must display fire control
plans are reviewed each year.  Additionally, we estimate that it will
take a Lieutenant (LT, O-3) about 0.1 hours (i.e., 6 minutes) per
review.  The wage rate shown is in accordance with the current edition
of COMDTINST 7310.1(series) for “In-Government” personnel.  

15)  Reasons for change in the burden.

The change in burden is an ADJUSTMENT due to a change (i.e., decrease)
in the estimated annual number of respondents.  There is no proposed
change to the recordkeeping requirements of this collection.  The
recordkeeping 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)  Explain each 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.

  Display of Fire Control Plan requirements are found as follows—for
Tank Vessels (46 CFR Subchapter D) in 35.10-3; for Passenger Vessels (46
CFR Subchapter H) in 78.45-1; for Cargo and Misc. Vessels (46 CFR
Subchapter I) in 97.36.1; for MODUs (46 CFR Subchapter I-A) in 109.563;
for Offshore Supply Vessels (46 CFR Subchapter L) in 131.945; for
Nautical School Vessels (46 CFR Subchapter R) in 169.853;and for
Oceanographic Research Vessels (46 CFR Subchapter U) in 196.36-1.  

OMB 2115-0135		  DATE \@ "MM/dd/yy"  10/01/15 

1625-0033 

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