[Federal Register: March 5, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 43)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 9939-9945]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr02-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
46 CFR Parts 28, 109, 122, 131, 169, 185, and 199
[USCG-2001-11118]
RIN 2115-AG28
Liferaft Servicing Intervals
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend its commercial vessel
regulations to provide consistency in the requirements for servicing of
inflatable liferafts and inflatable buoyant apparatus (IBA). We are
proposing this rule to eliminate an unnecessary burden on vessel
operators and to eliminate confusion among the public and Coast Guard
field personnel. The proposed rule would defer the first servicing of a
new liferaft or IBA to two years after initial packing on all
commercial vessels not certificated under the International Convention
for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management
Facility on or before May 6, 2002.
ADDRESSES: To make sure that your comments and related material are not
entered more than once in the docket, please submit them by only one of
the following means:
(1) By mail to the Docket Management Facility (USCG-2001-11118),
U.S. Department of Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(2) By delivery to room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif
Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-366-9329.
(3) By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202-493-2251.
(4) Electronically through the Web Site for the Docket Management
System at http://dms.dot.gov.
The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this
[[Page 9940]]
rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket,
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at room PL-401 on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this docket
on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed
rule, contact Kurt Heinz, Coast Guard, telephone 202-267-1444; e-mail
kheinz@comdt.uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Dorothy Beard, Chief, Dockets, Department
of Transportation, telephone 202-366-5149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2001-
11118), indicate the specific section of this document to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. You may submit
your comments and material by mail, hand delivery, fax, or electronic
means to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES;
but please submit your comments and material by only one means. If you
submit them by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format,
no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic
filing. If you submit them by mail and would like to know that they
reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard
or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during
the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for one to the Docket Management Facility at the address under
ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that
one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place
announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
In 1991, we published a final rule in the Federal Register that
marked a change--albeit limited to certain vessels--in the timing of
initial servicing of liferafts. (56 FR 40364, August 14, 1991). In
addition to including first-time requirements that certain uninspected
commercial fishing industry vessels must carry inflatable survival
craft (inflatable liferafts, or inflatable buoyant apparatus (IBAs)),
those safety regulations, at 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter C, part 28,
allowed the first servicing of new liferafts or IBAs on these vessels
to be deferred to two years from date of manufacture.
Historically, liferafts and IBAs have been required to be serviced
annually by an approved servicing facility in order to ensure that they
remain in operational condition. This 1991 final rule allowed the first
servicing of new liferafts or IBAs on uninspected commercial fishing
industry vessels to be deferred to two years, instead of one, to lessen
the new rule's initial financial impact on the industry. This was
responsive to comments on the NPRM concerning the cost of annually
servicing inflatable survival craft as is required for inspected
vessels.
The Coast Guard considered this allowance to be low risk for two
reasons: The stringent production testing and inspections of new
liferafts, and a lack of past operational problems associated with new
liferafts. In fact, in the more than 10 years since the final rule was
published, the Coast Guard is not aware of any operational problems
with liferafts or IBAs related to the deferral of first servicing as
permitted by the rule.
Three years after publishing the commercial fishing industry vessel
final rule, we published an NPRM (59 FR 52590, October 18, 1994) that
proposed a complete revision of the inflatable liferaft regulations in
46 CFR subchapter Q. Unlike subchapter C, these proposed regulations
were not tied to a specific type of commercial vessel.
Based on the success of the same allowance in the fishing industry
vessel final rule, the 1994 NPRM proposed to allow the first servicing
of a new inflatable liferaft to be deferred to two years from the date
of manufacture on any ship not certificated under the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS). (International
convention requires that inflatable liferafts on ships certificated
under SOLAS be serviced annually.) Because IBAs would be subject to the
same servicing requirements as inflatable liferafts, by reference to
proposed 46 CFR subpart 160.151 in proposed 46 CFR 160.010-3(c), the
proposal would apply to IBAs as well.
In 1997, we published a subchapter Q final rule containing a
complete revision of the inflatable liferaft regulations, in a new 46
CFR subpart 160.151. (62 FR 25525, May 9, 1997). These new regulations
included the allowance for the first servicing of a new liferaft on a
non-SOLAS ship to be deferred to two years from the date of manufacture
under certain specified conditions. As stated in the preamble to the
final rule at 62 FR 25535, ``The Coast Guard considers this extension
to be low-risk in view of the stringent production testing to which new
liferafts are subjected, and so these final rules extend its
application to new liferafts on all vessels not SOLAS-certificated.''
Unfortunately, the timing of several unrelated and independent
rulemaking projects did not permit this clearly stated intent to be
reflected in all of the various vessel subparts in 46 CFR. Although the
liferaft final rule did include a conforming amendment to the then-
recently published interim rule on lifesaving equipment in 46 CFR
subchapter W (61 FR 25272, May 20, 1996)--updating 46 CFR
199.190(g)(3)(i) to correctly reference the servicing procedures in the
new liferaft regulations--it left intact 46 CFR 199.190(g)(1)(i), which
still specifies servicing every 12 months for ``inflatable lifesaving
appliances.'' Substantially similar language may be found in subchapter
I-A at 46 CFR 109.301(g), subchapter K at 46 CFR 122.730(a), and
subchapter T at 46 CFR 185.730(a). The relevant portions of all of
these subchapters were in the late stages of various rulemaking
projects at the time the new inflatable liferaft regulations were
published, and it was not considered feasible to add substantive
changes, which had not been included at the NPRM stage.
In addition, although the subchapter W rulemaking replaced all of
the lifesaving requirements for public nautical school ships and
civilian nautical school vessels in parts 167 and 168 of subchapter R,
it did not affect the lifesaving requirements for sailing school
vessels in part 169 of that subchapter. Section 169.837(b)(4) in
subchapter R still requires that liferafts on sailing school vessels be
serviced every 12 months.
Soon after the subchapter Q final rule was published, we were able
to amend the liferaft servicing requirement in subchapter L, for
offshore supply vessels (62 FR 49308, 49345, September 19, 1997). The
following table lists the eight subchapters we have been discussing,
along with the current and proposed standards.
[[Page 9941]]
Current and Proposed Intervals for Initial Servicing of Liferafts on
Commercial, Non-SOLAS Vessels
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Current first Proposed first
46 CFR, Chapter I, subchapter (and servicing (in servicing (in
section) months) months)
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Subchapter C: Uninspected Commercial 24
Fishing Industry Vessels (46 CFR
28.140)................................
Subchapter I-A: Mobile offshore drilling 12 *24
units (MODUs) (46 CFR 109.301).........
Subchapter K: Small passenger vessels 12 months *24
carrying more than 150 passengers or
with overnight accommodations for more
than 49 passengers (46 CFR 122.730)....
Subchapter L: Offshore Supply Vessels 24 *24
(46 CFR 131.580).......................
Subchapter Q: Equipment, Construction, 24 24
and Materials: Specifications and
Approval (46 CFR 160.151-57)...........
Subchapter R: Part 169, Sailing school 12 *24
vessels (46 CFR 169.837)...............
Subchapter T: Small passenger vessels 12 months *24
(under 100 gross tons) (46 CFR 185.730)
Subchapter W: Lifesaving appliances and * 12 *24
arrangements for all inspected U.S.
vessels except for (1) offshore supply
vessels, (2) MODUs, (3) sailing school
vessels, and (4) small passenger
vessels (46 CFR 199.190)...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Servicing may be delayed up to an additional five months until the
next scheduled vessel inspection.
Discussion of Proposed Rule
The inconsistency between the servicing interval specified in the
liferaft regulations in subchapter Q and those specified in the various
vessel subchapters has been the cause of some confusion, and resulted
in some cases in new liferafts being serviced unnecessarily. This NPRM
proposes to resolve the inconsistencies by harmonizing the servicing
intervals specified in subchapters I-A, K, R, T, and W with the general
requirement in the liferaft regulations at 46 CFR 160.151-57 in
subchapter Q, consistent with the stated intent of that regulation.
This would eliminate the confusion caused by ambiguous or conflicting
provisions in the various commercial vessel regulations, and reduce the
burden on the public by avoiding potential unnecessary servicing of new
inflatable liferafts.
In addition, to maintain internal consistency, changes are proposed
to sections 169.513(b) and 169.531 in 46 CFR subchapter R to update or
remove references to obsolete liferaft regulations. The currently cited
regulations no longer exist, and the specified liferafts are no longer
approved for manufacture. The proposed changes would require the
analogous types of liferafts, that are approved and manufactured under
current regulations, but would allow existing liferafts on the vessel
to remain in use as long as they are in good and serviceable condition.
Also, conforming editorial changes are proposed to the commercial
fishing industry vessel regulations in 46 CFR subchapter C, and to
subchapter L, to harmonize the specific wording between the various
individual vessel subchapters to the extent possible.
Because of its unique structure, subchapter W, which contains
liferaft-servicing requirements referenced by various subchapters,
necessitates a slightly different approach than the other vessel
subchapters. Amendments are being proposed for two sections in
subchapter W, 46 CFR 199.190 and 199.620. Included in these changes is
a proposed correction to an existing error in table 199.620(a) in
section 199.620--changing ``199.621'' to ``199.261'' in the last table
entry.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposed rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review,
and does not require an assessment of potential benefits and costs
under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not
``significant'' under the regulatory policies and procedures of the
Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). A
detailed, draft analysis supporting this conclusion is available in the
docket as indicated under ADDRESSES. A summary of that analysis
follows:
Assessment: We analyzed benefits and costs of deferring the first
liferaft servicing to 2 years (instead of 1 year) after initial packing
for any non-SOLAS vessel subject to the liferaft servicing requirements
in subchapters I-A, K, R, T, or W. There are 5,965 vessels that would
be affected, for which we assume a zero population growth rate.
Furthermore, we assume that vessels would carry 25-person liferafts
with an average lifespan of 12 years. Because the vessels have various
crew and passenger capacities, the number of liferafts carried by each
vessel differs. We assume that vessels subject to the liferaft
servicing requirements in subchapters I-A, K, R, T, and W carry one,
eight, two, three, and two 25-person liferafts, respectively.
Benefits: The total present value benefit for the proposed rule for
the 10-year period would be $7,700,824 (7 percent discount rate).
Owners and operators of affected vessels would accrue benefits as
reduced operating costs. These benefits are a function of (1) the
number of liferafts that would no longer be serviced the first year
after manufacture and (2) the fees imposed by the servicing companies.
In addition, we recognize that other benefits of the proposed rule
exist but cannot be quantified, particularly the easing of confusion of
both the public and Coast Guard personnel caused by vague and
conflicting provisions. Furthermore, vessel owners would benefit by
eliminating the opportunity cost of time associated with liferaft
servicing during the first year after manufacture. Therefore, the total
benefits may be higher if the qualitative benefits were represented in
monetary terms.
Costs: The proposed rule would not impose costs on vessel owners
and operators. No increase in the number of accidents is expected to
occur. The revised liferaft servicing allowance is considered low risk
in view of the stringent production testing and inspections to which
new liferafts are subjected, and there being no history of operational
problems associated with new liferafts where servicing has been
deferred on commercial fishing industry vessels.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000.
The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed
rule
[[Page 9942]]
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities because there are no costs to vessel owners/operators
associated with the proposed rule.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the
Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. In your
comment, explain why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree
this rule would economically affect it.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the
rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please consult Kurt Heinz at 202-267-1444.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
(1-888-734-3247).
Collection of Information
This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, and have determined that it does not have implications for
federalism under that Order.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory
actions not specifically required by law. In particular, the Act
addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local,
or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of
$100,000,000 or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would
not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this
rule elsewhere in this preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
To help the Coast Guard establish regular and meaningful
consultation and collaboration with Indian and Alaskan Native tribes,
we published a notice in the Federal Register (66 FR 36361, July 11,
2001) requesting comments on how to best carry out the Order. We invite
your comments on how this proposed rule might impact tribal
governments, even if that impact may not constitute a ``tribal
implication'' under the Order.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211,
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
Environment
We have considered the environmental impact of this proposed rule
and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(d), of Commandant
Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. This proposed rule would resolve the
inconsistencies in inspection intervals for liferaft servicing and
therefore would not have any impact on the environment. A ``Categorical
Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket where indicated
under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects
46 CFR Part 28
Fire prevention, Fishing vessels, Marine safety, Occupational
safety and health, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.
46 CFR Part 109
Marine safety, Occupational safety and health, Oil and gas
exploration, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels.
46 CFR Part 122
Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Drugs, Hazardous materials, Marine
safety, Navigation (water), Passenger vessels, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
46 CFR Part 131
Hazardous materials transportation, Marine safety, Navigation
(water), Offshore supply vessels, Oil and gas exploration, Operations,
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels.
46 CFR Part 169
Fire prevention, Marine safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Schools, Vessels.
46 CFR Part 185
Marine safety, Passenger vessels, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
46 CFR Part 199
Cargo vessels, Incorporation by reference, Marine safety, Oil and
gas exploration, Passenger vessels, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Vessels.
[[Page 9943]]
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 46 CFR parts 28, 109, 122, 131, 169, 185, and 199 as follows:
PART 28--REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS
1. The authority citation for part 28 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3316, 4502, 4505, 4506, 6104, 10603; 49 CFR
1.46.
2. In Sec. 28.140, revise paragraphs (b) and (c), and table 28.140
to read as follows:
Sec. 28.140 Operational readiness, maintenance, and inspection of
lifesaving equipment.
* * * * *
(b) Each item of lifesaving equipment, including unapproved
equipment, must be maintained and inspected in accordance with:
(1) Table 28.140 in this section;
(2) The servicing procedure under the subpart of this chapter
applicable to the item's approval; and
(3) The manufacturer's guidelines.
(c) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be
serviced no later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), and whenever the container is
damaged or the container straps or seals are broken. It must be
serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the
particular brand.
* * * * *
Table 28.140.--Scheduled Maintenance and Inspection of Lifesaving Equipment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interval
Item -------------------------------------------------- Regulation
Monthly Annually
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inflatable wearable personal ............................ Servicing......... 28.140.
flotation device (Type V
commercial hybrid).
(2) Personal flotation devices, ............................ Inspect, clean and 28.140.
exposure suits and immersion repair as
suits. necessary.
(3) Buoyant apparatus and life ............................ Inspect, clean and 28.140.
floats. repair as
necessary.
(4) Inflatable liferaft......... ............................ Servicing \1\..... 28.140.
(5) Inflatable buoyant apparatus ............................ Servicing \1\..... 28.140.
(6) Hydrostatic release......... ............................ Servicing......... 28.140.
(7) Disposable hydrostatic ............................ Replace on or 28.140.
release. before expiration
date.
(8) Undated batteries........... ............................ Replace........... 28.140.
(9) Dated batteries \2\ and ............................ Replace on or 25.26-5, 28.140.
other items. before expiration
date.
(10) EPIRB...................... Test........................ .................. 25.26-5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For a new liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus, the first annual servicing may be deferred to two years
from the date of first packing if so indicated on the servicing sticker.
\2\ Water activated batteries must be replaced whenever they are used.
PART 109--OPERATIONS
3. The authority citation for part 109 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; 49 CFR
1.46.
4. In Sec. 109.301, revise paragraph (g)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 109.301 Operational readiness, maintenance, and inspection of
lifesaving equipment.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(3) An inflatable liferaft must be serviced at a facility
specifically approved by the Commandant for the particular brand, and
in accordance with servicing procedures meeting the requirements of
part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter--
(i) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the unit, provided that
the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(ii) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
* * * * *
PART 122--OPERATIONS
5. The authority citation for part 122 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 6101; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801,
3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; 49 CFR 1.46.
6. In Sec. 122.730, revise paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 122.730 Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable buoyant
apparatus, inflatable life jackets and inflated rescue boats.
(a) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be
serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the
particular brand, and in accordance with servicing procedures meeting
the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter--
(1) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided
that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(2) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
(b) Each inflatable lifejacket and hybrid inflatable lifejacket or
work vest must be serviced:
(1) Within 12 months of its initial packing; and
(2) Within 12 months of each subsequent servicing, except that
servicing may be delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the
vessel, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months.
* * * * *
PART 131--OPERATIONS
7. The authority citation for part 131 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O.
12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p.
351; 49 CFR 1.46.
[[Page 9944]]
8. In Sec. 131.580, revise paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 131.580 Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable
lifejackets, inflatable buoyant apparatus, and inflated rescue boats.
(a) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be
serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the
particular brand, and in accordance with servicing procedures meeting
the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter--
(1) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided
that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(2) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
(b) Each inflatable lifejacket and hybrid inflatable lifejacket or
work vest must be serviced:
(1) Within 12 months of its initial packing; and
(2) Within 12 months of each subsequent servicing, except that
servicing may be delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the
OSV, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months.
* * * * *
PART 169--SAILING SCHOOL VESSELS
9. The authority citation for part 169 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3307, 6101; E.O.
11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; 49 CFR 1.45,
1.46; Sec. 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C.
3507.
10. In Sec. 169.513, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 169.513 Types of primary equipment.
* * * * *
(b) Inflatable liferafts. (1) Each inflatable liferaft must be a
SOLAS A inflatable liferaft approved under part 160, subpart 160.151,
of this chapter, except that inflatable liferafts on vessels operating
on protected or partially protected waters may be SOLAS B inflatable
liferafts approved under part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter.
(2) Each approved inflatable liferaft on the vessel on [EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] may be used to meet the requirements of this
part as long as it is continued in use on the vessel, and is in good
and serviceable condition.''
* * * * *
Sec. 169.531 [Removed]
11. Remove Sec. 169.531.
12. In Sec. 169.837, revise paragraph (b)(4) to read as follows:
Sec. 169.837 Lifeboats, liferafts, and lifefloats.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(4) Each inflatable liferaft has been serviced at a facility
specifically approved by the Commandant for the particular brand, and
in accordance with servicing procedures meeting the requirements of
part 160, part 160.151, of this chapter--
(i) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided
that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(ii) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
PART 185--OPERATIONS
13. The authority citation for part 185 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 6101; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801,
3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; 49 CFR 1.46.
14. In Sec. 185.730, revise paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 185.730 Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable buoyant
apparatus, inflatable life jackets, and inflated rescue boats.
(a) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be
serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the
particular brand, and in accordance with servicing procedures meeting
the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter--
(1) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided
that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(2) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
(b) Each inflatable lifejacket and hybrid inflatable lifejacket or
work vest must be serviced:
(1) Within 12 months of its initial packing; and
(2) Within 12 months of each subsequent servicing, except that
servicing may be delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the
vessel, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months.
* * * * *
PART 199--LIFESAVING SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN INSPECTED VESSELS
15. The authority citation for part 199 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3307, 3703; 49 CFR 1.46.
16. In Sec. 199.190, revise paragraph (g)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 199.190 Operational readiness, maintenance, and inspection of
lifesaving equipment.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(3) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be
serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the
particular brand, and in accordance with servicing procedures meeting
the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.151, of this chapter--
(i) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker
affixed under 46 CFR 160.151-57(n), except that servicing may be
delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided
that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
(ii) Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or
seals are broken.
* * * * *
17. In Sec. 199.620, in paragraph (a), revise table 199.620(a) and
add a new paragraph (q) as follows: Sec. 199.620 Alternatives for all
vessels in a specified service.
* * * * *
Table 199.620(a).--Alternative Requirements for All Vessels in a Specified Service
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Service and reference to alternative requirement section or paragraph
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section or paragraph in this part: Lakes, Bays and
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes Sounds Rivers
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199.70(a): Lifebuoy approval series 199.620(b)\1\......... 199.620(b)\1\......... 199.620(b)........... 199.620(b)........... 199.620(b).
[[Page 9945]]
199.70(b): Lifejacket approval 199.620(c)\2\......... 199.620(c)\2\......... 199.620(c)........... 199.620(c)........... 199.620(c).
series.
199.70(b)(1): Number of lifejackets No Alternative........ 199.620(d)............ 199.620(d)........... 199.620(d)........... 199.620(d).
carried.
199.70(b) (4)(i): Lifejacket light No Alternative........ 199.620(e)............ 199.620(e)........... Not Applicable....... Not Applicable.
approval series.
199.100(b): Manning of survival No Alternative........ No Alternative........ No Alternative....... No Alternative....... 199.620(o).
craft.
199.110(f): Embarkation ladder..... 199.620(f)............ 199.620(f)............ 199.620(f)........... 199.620(f)........... 199.620(f).
199.130(b): Survival craft stowage No Alternative........ No Alternative........ 199.620(g)........... 199.620(g)........... 199.620(g).
position.
199.170: Line-throwing appliance 199.620(h)\2\......... 199.620(h)\3\......... Not Applicable....... Not Applicable....... Not Applicable.
approval series.
199.175: Lifeboat, rescue boat, and 199.620(i)\4\......... 199.620(i)............ 199.620(j)........... 199.620(j)........... 199.620(j).
rigid liferaft equipment.
199.180 Training and drills........ 199.620(p)............ 199.620(p)............ 199.620(p)........... 199.620(p)........... 199.620(p).
199.190: Spares and repair 199.620(n)............ 199.620(n)............ 199.620(n)........... 199.620(n)........... 199.620(n).
equipment.
199.190 (g)(3): Service Intervals 199.620(q)............ 199.620(q)............ 199.620(q)........... 199.620(q)........... 199.620(q).
for inflatable liferaft or
inflatable buoyant apparatus.
199.201(a)(2) or 199.261: 199.620(l)\4\......... 199.620(l)............ 199.620(l)........... 199.620(l)........... 199.620(l).
Inflatable liferaft equipment.
199.201(a)(2) or 199.261: Liferaft No Alternative........ 199.620(k)............ 199.620(k)........... 199.620(k)........... 199.620(k).
approval series.
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\1\ Alternative applies if lifebuoy is orange.
\2\ Alternative applies only to cargo vessels that are less than 500 tons gross tonnage.
\3\ Alternative applies to cargo vessels that are less than 500 tons gross tonnage and to all passenger vessels.
\4\ Alternative applies to passenger vessels limited to operating no more than 50 nautical miles from shore.
* * * * *
(q) For a new liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus, the first
annual servicing may be deferred to two years after initial packing if
so indicated on the servicing sticker.
Dated: February 21, 2002.
Paul J. Pluta,
Rear Admiral, Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and
Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 02-5211 Filed 3-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-U