Supporting Statement

for

Nondestructive Testing of Certain Cargo Tanks on Unmanned Barges

OMB No.:  1625-0052

COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS:  Instruction 

A.  Justification  

1.  Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.  

According to 46 U.S.C. 3703, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations
for the design, construction, alteration, repair, maintenance,
operation, equipping, personnel qualification, and manning of vessels
carrying liquid bulk dangerous cargoes, that may be necessary for
increased protection against hazards to life and property, for
navigation and vessel safety, and for enhanced protection of the marine
environment.  The Coast Guard requires an internal inspection interval
for pressure-vessel-type cargo tanks, which carry liquid bulk dangerous
cargoes.  Pressure-vessel-type cargo tanks on unmanned tank barges that
are 30 years old or older are required to conduct nondestructive testing
(NDT) at 10-year intervals.

The nondestructive testing requirement was selected as an alternative
regulatory strategy to shorten the internal inspection interval of a
tank barge as it ages.  Internal inspection and accompanying gas-freeing
costs are high.  The lay-time necessary in getting the barges to a gas
freeing facility is also costly.  Longer internal inspection intervals
result in lower costs to the owner.

This information collection supports the following strategic goals:

Department of Homeland Security

Prevention

Protection

Coast Guard

Maritime Safety

Protection of Natural Resources

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

Safety:  Eliminate deaths, injuries, and property damage associated with
commercial maritime operations.

Human and Natural Environment: Eliminate environmental damage associated
with maritime transportation and operations on and around the nation’s
waterways.

2.  Purpose of the information collection.  

According to 46 CFR 38.25-1, an unmanned tank barge with a
pressure-vessel-type cargo tank, carrying cargoes at temperatures of -67
degrees Fahrenheit (or -55 degrees Celsius) or warmer, must be subjected
to an internal inspection within 10 years after the last internal
inspection.  When such a vessel is 30 years old or older, determined
from the build date, the owner shall conduct nondestructive testing of
the tank, in accordance with Section 38.25-3, during each internal
inspection.

According to 46 CFR 38.25-3, before nondestructive testing may be
conducted to meet section 38.25-1, the owner shall submit a proposal to
the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) for acceptance that
includes:

1) The test methods and procedures to be used, all of which must meet
Section V of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (1986); 

2) Each location on the tank to be tested; and 

3) The test method and procedure to be conducted at each location on the
tank.  

If the OCMI rejects the proposal, OCMI informs the owner of the reasons
why the proposal is rejected.  If the OCMI accepts the proposal, the
owner shall ensure that:

1) The proposal is followed; and

2) Nondestructive testing is performed by qualified personnel.

Within 30 days after completing the nondestructive test, the owner shall
submit a written report of the results to OCMI.

The proposal enables the Coast Guard to determine if the proposed
nondestructive testing methods and scope are suitable for the purposes
of detecting defects.  The requirement to submit the results of the
nondestructive testing enables the Coast Guard to accurately assess the
condition of the tanks and to evaluate the suitability of the tank for
continued service.

3.  Consideration of the use of improved technology.  

Information is submitted in writing or electronically via e-mail or fax
to the OCMI.  Contact info for CG OCMIs can be found at—  HYPERLINK
"http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/"  http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/ .  We
estimate that 100% of the reporting requirements can be submitted
electronically.  At this time, we estimate that 50% are received
electronically.  

4.  Efforts to identify duplication.  

Given the specificity of pressure-vessel-type cargo tanks of unmanned
barges, there is no similar information available elsewhere for these
purposes.

5.  Methods 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.  

Without the submission of both the proposal and results of
nondestructive testing, the Coast Guard would not be able to assess the
condition of the tank nor the effectiveness of nondestructive testing,
and would find it necessary to increase the frequency of internal
inspection as a tank aged.  This would result in an increased cost to
the owners of the tank barges.  

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 payment or gift to respondents.  

The Coast Guard does not provide payment or 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 estimated annual number of respondents is 10.  

The estimated annual number of responses is 20.  

The estimated annual hour burden is 130.  

The estimated annual cost burden is $13,130.  

The burden to respondents is provided in Appendix A.  We estimate that
it takes 12 hours per NDT proposal submission and 1 hour per NDT test
result submission.  The submissions are done by a technical specialist. 
The position of a technical specialist is equivalent to a GS-14.  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 $1,560 (see Appendix B).
 We estimate that it will take 1 hour by a Lieutenant (LT, O-3) 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 the change in burden.  

The burden remains the same.  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.

1625-0052 

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