Recreational Boat Flotation Standards-Update of Outboard Engine Weight Test Requirements, 16512-16522 [2017-06733]

Download as PDF 16512 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES It is important to note that the distances set forth in MGN 371, MNG 543 and our MP Guidelines are not standards, regulations or requirements of any type, but rather are guidance for developers to consider at the outset of a proposal. For example, both MGN 371 and MGN 543 state ‘‘[t]his Guidance Note, as the name implies, is intended for the guidance of developers and others.’’ See p. 3 of both Notes. In similar language, the MP Guidelines states on p. 1 ‘‘[t]hese guidelines are provided to assist offshore developers and marine planners with their evaluation of the navigational impacts of any projects with multiple permanent fixed structures.’’ Furthermore, on p. 6 of the MP Guidelines, we state ‘‘[t]hese recommendations are based on generic deep draft vessel maneuvering characteristics and are consistent with existing European guidelines.’’ As discussed above, the Coast Guard will evaluate each proposed project based upon the actual risks identified in the Navigation Safety Risk Assessment, and not by rigidly applying recommended distances from the MP Guidelines or any other similar guidance. Because our guidelines are neither regulations nor standards that must be applied, and because we view MGN 543 as a simplification of its predecessor, MGN 371, we do not believe it is necessary or prudent to revise our MP Guidelines at this time. Navigation Corridors Various comments were received concerning navigation corridors. Some commenters said the navigation corridors were too large, or simply not necessary, whereas others said they were essential to preserve clear shipping lanes. Prior to the advent of offshore wind development, there was no need for a coordinated routing system along the entire Atlantic seaboard, and existing traffic separation schemes at the entrances to major ports were adequate to manage collision risks for commercial vessel traffic. As the potential for conflicting uses of the Atlantic Ocean has increased, the Coast Guard must evaluate options to reduce associated risks to navigation and the environment. The ACPARS identified the routes typically used by tug and barge traffic and deep draft ocean-going vessels. The identified navigation corridors in the final report simply reflect areas historically used by commercial vessels. The ACPARS report recommends that the navigation corridors should be considered during marine planning activities and incorporated into Regional Ocean Plans to ensure appropriate consideration is given to VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 shipping early in the project siting process. Some commenters have also suggested the Coast Guard apply the data and recommendations from the ACPARS to the marine planning process, and we agree with those comments. The ACPARS report also recommended that the Coast Guard use the identified navigation corridors to establish shipping safety fairways (areas where permanent structures are not permitted) or other appropriate ships’ routing measures. The Coast Guard is considering these recommendations, but has not yet determined if or how it may move forward on such routing measures. In the event the Coast Guard determines that shipping safety fairways or other routing measures must be further explored, it will engage all relevant stakeholders and ultimately commence a formal rulemaking process that will provide ample notice and opportunity for public and other stakeholder comment, and a thorough environmental review. Protection of Right Whales The Coast Guard received comments suggesting that offshore navigation corridors for deep draft traffic could endanger North Atlantic right whales if the corridors divert vessel traffic around wind farms into areas where these endangered whales tend to migrate. Although the offshore navigation corridors identified simply reflect existing vessel traffic patterns already in use, the Coast Guard would consult with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, interagency partners and other stakeholders through the NEPA and marine planning processes as a necessary part of any action to formally establish routing measures associated with the ACPARS or particular wind farm proposals. Continued Public Outreach Some commenters recommended that the Coast Guard continue outreach efforts with affected states and federal agencies, the marine shipping industry, the wind energy industry and the general public, which could include participation in stakeholder outreach activities, public meetings, workshops and industry meetings and conferences. The Coast Guard concurs with the recommendation and will continue its outreach program through the Regional Planning Bodies. Summary For the foregoing reasons, the Coast Guard considers the ACPARS report to be complete and will not make changes to it at this time. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 This notification is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1223(c) and 5 U.S.C. 552. Dated: March 31, 2017. Michael D. Emerson, Director, Marine Transportation Systems, U.S. Coast Guard. [FR Doc. 2017–06738 Filed 4–4–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 183 [Docket No. USCG–2016–1012] RIN 1625–AC37 Recreational Boat Flotation Standards—Update of Outboard Engine Weight Test Requirements Coast Guard, DHS. Interim rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard is issuing this interim rule to update the table of outboard engine weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required amounts of flotation material. The engine weight table was last updated in 1984, and the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 requires that we update the table to reflect a specific standard. DATES: This interim rule is effective on June 1, 2018. Comments and related material must be submitted to the online docket via https://www.regulations.gov, or reach the Docket Management Facility, on or before July 5, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– 2016–1012 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document call or email Mr. Jeffrey Ludwig, Coast Guard; telephone 202–372–1061, email Jeffrey.A.Ludwig@uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Table of Contents for Preamble I. Abbreviations II. Basis and Purpose III. Regulatory History IV. Background V. Discussion of Rule VI. Regulatory Analyses A. Regulatory Planning and Review E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations B. Small Entities C. Assistance for Small Entities D. Collection of Information E. Federalism F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act G. Taking of Private Property H. Civil Justice Reform I. Protection of Children J. Indian Tribal Governments K. Energy Effects L. Technical Standards M. Environment VII. Public Participation and Request for Comments amends regulations issued pursuant to section 4302 and the 180-day delay is appropriate. The delay provides manufacturers with time to adjust their operations to comply with the new standard. We have implemented that delay of effective date in this rule. I. Abbreviations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council ABYC S–30 American Boat and Yacht Council S–30—Outboard Engines and Related Equipment Weights CGAA Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114–120, 130 Stat. 27; Feb. 8, 2016) CFR Code of Federal Regulations DHS Department of Homeland Security E.O. Executive Order FR Federal Register IRFA Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis MIC Manufacturer Identification Code NAICS North American Industry Classification System NBSAC National Boating Safety Advisory Council NMMA National Marine Manufacturers Association OMB Office of Management and Budget Pub. L. Public Law RA Regulatory analysis § Section symbol SBA Small Business Administration U.S.C. United States Code II. Basis and Purpose Section 308 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114– 120, 130 Stat. 27) (CGAA) requires the Coast Guard to issue regulations, not later than 180 days after enactment, updating Table 4 of subpart H in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 183 to reflect the American Boat and Yacht Council S–30— Outboard Engines and Related Equipment Weights (ABYC S–30) standard. Additionally, 46 U.S.C. 4302(b), which provides authority for 33 CFR part 183, requires the effective date for rules issued under that provision be delayed at least 180 days after publication, but not more than 2 years for cases involving major product design, retooling, or changes in the manufacturing process. It also requires consultation with the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC).1 Although this rule is issued pursuant to CGAA and not 46 U.S.C. 4302, it 1 The NBSAC recommended to the Coast Guard in 2000 that the weight table be updated (Resolution number 2000–66–05), and discussed the replacement of Table 4 with the ABYC standard at their April 2016 meeting. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 III. Regulatory History We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking before this interim rule. The Coast Guard finds good cause to forgo prior notice and opportunity to comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because section 308 of CGAA provides the Coast Guard no discretion in adopting the specific industry standard for engine weights. The Coast Guard may not decline to update the engine weight standards, choose to adopt a different standard, or respond to public comments by modifying the substance of the rule. Because the Act does not allow for alternatives; the Coast Guard may not adopt a different standard or modify the substance of the rule in response to public comments. Therefore, it was unnecessary and impracticable to provide the public with notice and opportunity to comment before publishing this interim rule. This rule also relocates the relevant table within the CFR, and makes similar administrative changes that have no substantive effect on the public. Because these changes do not create or change any rights or responsibilities for the public, prior notice and opportunity to comment are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). However, the Coast Guard is interested in the public’s views on these changes. In addition, we are delaying the effective date of this rule until June 1, 2018, for two reasons: (1) To meet the intent of 46 U.S.C. 4302(b), as described earlier in this rule, and (2) to align with the recreational boat model year so that requirements do not change during a model year production run. The delay in effective date allows time for a postpublication comment period and for non-substantive changes if needed. Therefore, even though 5 U.S.C. 553 allows the Coast Guard to forgo notice and opportunity for comment prior to issuing this rule, we invite public comment on the interim rule. We will not have the authority to change the substance of the rule—for example, the specific weight standard used—in response to public comment, because that requirement is set in statute. However, we invite public comment on other aspects of the rule, such as changes we have made to crossreferences, and we may make changes after considering those comments. We believe this strikes the best balance PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 16513 between satisfying the statute, putting a rule in place soon so that manufacturers can plan ahead, and allowing public comment to the extent we are permitted by CGAA. IV. Background Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and associated equipment. In 1977, the Coast Guard established flotation requirements for boats less than 20 feet in length, and established a weight table (Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183) used to assist the boat manufacturer in determining the amount of flotation to be included in a boat’s design and construction. Table 4 was last updated in 1984, but the size and weight of outboard engines has evolved over the years to the point that Table 4 no longer accurately represents the weights of outboard engines available on the market. The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) is a non-profit organization that develops voluntary safety standards for the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of recreational boats. Among the voluntary safety standards that ABYC develops and updates on a regular basis is S–30— Outboard Engines and Related Equipment Weights (ABYC S–30). This standard reflects the current state of marine outboard engine weights. V. Discussion of Rule This rulemaking adopts the current ABYC S–30 to replace Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183. The current ABYC S–30 is dated July 2012, and was the standard in effect on the date of enactment of the Act. In the CFR, Table 4 applies to monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length, which includes recreational vessels as well as some commercial fishing vessels. It is also used indirectly for flotation requirements for survival craft covered by 46 CFR part 25 (uninspected vessels), 46 CFR part 117 (small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers), 46 CFR part 141 (towing vessels) and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons). Changing the figures in Table 4, as required by the Act, will require more flotation in each new boat, to support the weight of heavier engines. This rule removes Table 4 and replaces it with a new section in subpart E of part 183. That section contains the table of the ABYC S–30 standard and its corresponding footnotes. We made minor edits to the footnotes developed E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 16514 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations by ABYC to accommodate the location of the table in the CFR and to reflect the removal of Table 4. We also made conforming changes to several sections that referenced Table 4. VI. Regulatory Analyses We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and Executive Orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on these statutes or E.O.s. A. Regulatory Planning and Review Executive Orders 12866 (‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review’’) and 13563 (‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’) direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13771 (‘‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’) directs agencies to reduce regulation and control regulatory costs and provides that ‘‘for every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently managed and controlled through a budgeting process.’’ The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed it. As this rule is not a significant regulatory action, this rule is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771. See OMB’s Memorandum titled ‘‘Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017 titled ‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs’ ’’ (February 2, 2017). A regulatory analysis (RA) follows. This RA provides an evaluation of the economic impacts associated with this interim rule. The Coast Guard is issuing an interim rule to implement section 308 of the CGAA. The CGAA mandates that the Coast Guard issue regulations to amend Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183 to reflect the standards in ABYC S–30. Consequently, 100% of the costs of this rule are due to a Congressional mandate and the Coast Guard has no discretion to adopt a different standard that would lower the cost of this rule. Changes in the design and construction of modern outboard engines necessitate a change in the table of outboard engine weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required amounts of flotation material in the Safe Loading and Flotation Standards found in 33 CFR part 183, subparts G and H. Table 1 of this document provides a summary of the affected population, costs, and benefits of this rule. TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF THE IMPACTS OF THE INTERIM RULE Category Summary Applicability .......................... Affected Population .............. Costs to Industry ($, 7% discount rate). Unquantified Benefits ........... Update Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183 with ABYC S–30. 1,427 manufacturers of monohull outboard boats of less than 20 feet in length. 10-year: $6,624,488. Annualized: $943,178. Creates uniformity by aligning all boats to the same standard. Brings those boats not currently in compliance with ABYC S–30 to a higher level of safety than the standard currently in regulation. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Affected Population This interim rule will adopt the current ABYC S–30 to replace Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183. Table 4 applies to monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length, including recreational vessels and some commercial fishing vessels. Table 4 is also used indirectly for flotation requirements for survival craft covered by 46 CFR part 25 (uninspected vessels), 46 CFR part 117 (small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers), 46 CFR part 141 (towing vessels), and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons). Small passenger vessels are required to carry certain survival craft, depending on their route and construction, in order to have the capacity to evacuate a certain percentage of the number of people on board. These survival craft are generally life rafts or floats, which do not have engines and are not impacted by this interim rule. However, small passenger vessels could voluntarily carry a small VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 boat that can be used to carry some of the passengers, thereby reducing the number of other survival craft they are required to carry (46 CFR 117.200(b) and 46 CFR 180.200(b)). Because this is a voluntary option available for these vessels, we do not include them in our analysis. However, we do note that if the uninspected vessels, small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers, towing vessels, or small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons choose to carry a small boat on board that does not meet ABYC S–30 standard, they could be indirectly affected by this interim rule. Because this interim rule applies only to new boats manufactured after June 1, 2018, any small passenger vessels already carrying small boats subject to Table 4 of subpart H will not be affected. If they choose to replace their small boat with a boat built after June 1, 2018, they may be indirectly affected if the manufacturer passes the costs of this interim rule on to the consumers. We account for the direct costs to manufacturers in this analysis. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 The interim rule will affect manufacturers that produce monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length and that are not currently building boats to ABYC S–30 standard. The Coast Guard used the list of active Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) holders, as required by 33 CFR part 181, subpart C, to determine the affected population. This list represents all recreational boat MICs that are currently active. We then removed any MICs that will not be affected by this rule from the list of manufacturers. This includes: (1) Manufacturers with multiple MICs; (2) MICs belonging to manufacturers that only build boats greater than 20 feet in length; (3) MICs belonging to manufacturers that do not build monohull outboard boats; and (4) MICs belonging to manufacturers that only produce boats exempted from this regulation by 33 CFR 183.201(b), including sailboats, canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, submersibles, surface effect vessels, amphibious vessels, and raceboats. We found there are no more E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations than 1,519 affected manufacturers that produce monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length. Some of these 1,519 monohull manufacturers are currently in compliance with ABYC S–30 standard, and therefore will not incur additional costs because of this rule. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) requires its members to build boats to the ABYC standard.2 These NMMA builders produce about 85 percent of the recreational boats built each year.3 We found 92 monohull manufacturers that are currently NMMA members and therefore we assume they are in compliance. We assume the remaining 1,427 monohull manufacturers are not compliant with the current voluntary standard and will be affected by this rule. Costs to Industry This interim rule will adopt the current ABYC S–30, to replace Table 4 of subpart H. This change will increase costs to 1,427 monohull manufacturers that are assumed to be not in compliance. The increase in the weight table figures will require an additional 1 to 2 cubic feet of flotation to be added to each boat manufactured after the implementation date of June 1, 2018. We estimate the foam for the additional flotation will cost an average of $10 per boat.4 Some manufacturers may need to make minor adjustments such as enclosing an aft seat and adding foam under the seat to accommodate the additional foam in the boats. Therefore, Coast Guard uses an estimate of $50 per boat to account for the foam and any minor adjustments that may be necessary.5 Manufacturers could incur costs related to determining where to put the additional flotation on a vessel, but we believe redesign costs would not be needed as the additional flotation material is minimal and the placement of the material is fairly standard. The manufacturers are already required to add flotation to boats, so there will be no costs for new equipment, facilities, or retrofitting of facilities. 16515 To estimate the total cost to industry, we then estimated the total number of outboard boats less than 20 feet in length manufactured per year by the monohull manufacturers that are not in compliance. The Coast Guard used data from the NMMA’s 2015 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract 6 to estimate the total affected outboard boats. The NMMA breaks down outboard boat sales by two hull materials: Fiberglass and aluminum. The NMMA estimates that in 2015, 51,300 fiberglass outboard boats and 104,500 aluminum outboard boats were sold. Of these boats sold, 42.7 percent of the fiberglass outboard boats and 60.4 percent of the aluminum outboard boats were less than 20 feet in length. Multiplying the percentage market share of boats less than 20 feet by the total sales of boats by material, we found there were 21,905 fiberglass boats and 63,118 aluminum outboard boats less than 20 feet sold in 2015 (see Table 2). TABLE 2—TOTAL SALES AND MARKET SHARE OF OUTBOARD BOATS BY MATERIAL TYPE Percentage market share outboard boats less than 20 feet Estimated total sales Outboard boat by material Total outboard boats less than 20 feet sold in 2015 Fiberglass ........................................................................................................................ Aluminum ......................................................................................................................... 51,300 104,500 42.7 60.4 21,905 63,118 Total .......................................................................................................................... 155,800 ............................ 85,023 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES The total 85,023 outboard boats less than 20 feet that were sold in 2015 were produced by a mix of manufacturers that are already in compliance with the ABYC S–30 standard and manufacturers that are not in compliance and will be impacted by this rule. The NMMA estimates that around 85 percent of the boats sold in the United States are already in compliance with the ABYC S–30 standard. Therefore, the Coast Guard estimates 15 percent of the total outboard boats less than 20 feet sold were produced by manufacturers not in compliance with the ABYC standard. These 12,753 boats (15 percent of the 85,023 outboard boats less than 20 feet, rounded) will require $50 of additional flotation materials to align with the new standard. To estimate the affected outboard boats over our 10-year period of analysis, we used NMMA data to forecast future boat building production.7 The NMMA anticipates annual production will rise through at least 2018 before leveling off into at least early 2019. The NMMA does not have estimates for production past 2019. Since the NMMA anticipates production will plateau once it reaches the levels of production estimated in 2019, the Coast Guard assumes production will hold at 2019 levels. Production could decrease or increase, resulting in higher or lower industry costs, but for the purposes of this analysis we assume production remains constant past 2019. Table 3 shows our baseline affected population, the forecasted percentage increases over the previous year estimated by NMMA, and the resulting number of affected outboard boats.8 2 See Michael Vatalaro, What ‘‘NMMA-Certified’’ Really Means, BoatUS, Feb. 2014, https:// www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/february/whatnnma-certified-means.asp. 3 Id. 4 The $10 estimate is based on 2 LB Density Urethane Foam estimates from US Composites (https://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html) and conversations with manufacturers. Foam prices vary based on the size of the kits. The cost of kits range from a 2 cubic foot kit cost of $22.50 ($11.25 per cubic foot) to $264 for a 40 cubic foot kit ($6.60 per cubic foot). Conversations with manufacturers confirmed $10 is a reasonable average estimate for adding 1 to 2 cubic feet of additional flotation, that takes into account the varying costs based on the size of kits purchased and that manufacturers may pay less than the listed prices based on their purchasing agreements with the suppliers. 5 Based on discussions with manufacturers, the additional $40 estimate is to cover the cost of enclosing a rear seat to add flotation foam under it or to add small chambers, especially on open aluminum boats, to accommodate the additional flotation foam. 6 A summary of the NMMA abstract is available at https://www.nmma.org/statistics/publications/ statistical-abstract. The full report is available for purchase through NMMA. The Coast Guard used data from Powerboat Sales Trends, Table 1: Outboard boats: Estimated sales by hull market; Table 2: Fiberglass outboard boats: Estimated market share by length; and Table 3: Aluminum outboard boats: Estimated market share by length. 7 Production forecasts are internal NMMA estimates that were provided to the Coast Guard on 9/7/2016. 8 Forecasted percentages for 2016 and 2019 were given in NMMA data. Forecasted percentages for years 2017 and 2018 were calculated from NMMA’s forecasted annual production index. For 2017, the affected outboard boats manufactured annually are Continued VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 16516 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 3—FORECASTED AFFECTED OUTBOARD BOATS Year Forecasted percentage increase over previous year 2015 ................................................................................................................................................................. 2016 ................................................................................................................................................................. 2017 ................................................................................................................................................................. 2018 ................................................................................................................................................................. 2019 ................................................................................................................................................................. 2020+ ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................ 11.6 15.2 9.2 6.1 0.0 As this interim rule will be effective June 1, 2018, any outboard boats manufactured after this date will need to be in compliance with ABYC S–30 standard. The Coast Guard anticipates most manufacturers will begin making the necessary changes at the beginning of 2018. All manufacturers will be in compliance by June 1, 2018 of Year 1, which corresponds with the 2018 estimated affected outboard boats in Table 3. We estimate there will be 17,916 affected outboard boats in Year 1 and 19,009 affected outboard boats in Years 2 through 10. Table 4 summarizes the estimated affected population of outboard boats that we used to estimate the 10-year costs of this interim rule. Affected outboard boats manufactured annually TABLE 4—TEN-YEAR PROJECTION OF AFFECTED OUTBOARD BOATS—Continued TABLE 4—TEN-YEAR PROJECTION OF AFFECTED OUTBOARD BOATS Affected outboard boats Year Affected outboard boats Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. 12,753 14,232 16,402 17,916 19,009 19,009 10 ................................................ 17,916 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 19,009 We then multiplied the projected number of affected outboard boats each year in Table 4 by the estimated cost per boat of $50. Table 5 shows the total costs of this interim rule on an undiscounted basis, and discounted at 7 and 3 percent. TABLE 5—TOTAL COSTS OF INTERIM RULE Total undiscounted costs Year Total, discounted 7% 3% 1 ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................... 3 ................................................................................................................................................... 4 ................................................................................................................................................... 5 ................................................................................................................................................... 6 ................................................................................................................................................... 7 ................................................................................................................................................... 8 ................................................................................................................................................... 9 ................................................................................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................................................................................. $895,800 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 950,450 $837,196 830,160 775,850 725,094 677,658 633,325 591,892 553,171 516,982 483,161 $869,709 895,840 869,796 844,463 819,867 795,987 772,803 750,294 728,441 707,224 Total ...................................................................................................................................... Annualized ................................................................................................................................... 9,449,850 ........................ 6,624,488 943,178 8,054,473 944,230 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Note: Totals may not sum due to independent rounding. The total 10-year undiscounted cost of this interim rule is $9,449,850. The total 10-year discounted cost of this interim rule is $6,624,488 and the annualized cost is $943,178, both discounted at 7 percent. The manufacturers of outboard boats less than 20 feet in length not in compliance with ABYC S–30 standard will bear these costs. However, it is possible that manufacturers may pass these costs onto the recreational boat owners by incorporating the additional costs of this interim rule into the sales price. The sale price of the affected boats can range from $3,000 through $50,000. If we use an average of $26,500 per boat, the $50 average cost per boat represents 0.2 percent of the sales price. However, 85 percent of the boats sold in the United States are already in compliance and include this cost of floatation in the sales prices. calculated as [1 + ((170.1¥147.6)/147.6)] * 14,232 = 16,402, rounded. For 2018, the affected outboard boats manufactured annually are calculated as [1 + (185.8¥170.1)/170.1] * 16,402, rounded. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Benefits This rule does not provide any quantitative benefits. However, it does have qualitative benefits. This rule will create uniformity by aligning all boats to the same standard. The ABYC S–30 provides a higher level of safety than that provided by the standard currently in the regulation. Requiring all boats less than 20 feet in length that currently do not meet ABYC S–30 standard weights to comply with that standard E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES will improve the buoyancy of these boats, and therefore, improve their safety. B. Small Entities In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612), the Coast Guard prepared this Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) that examines the impacts of the interim rule on small entities (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We recognize that an IRFA is not required for an interim rule that was not preceded by a general notice of proposed rulemaking. We are including an analysis of the interim rule requirements on small entities for informational purposes. A small entity may be: a small independent business, defined as independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field per the Small Business Act (5 U.S.C. 632); a small notfor-profit organization (any not-forprofit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field); or a small governmental jurisdiction (locality with fewer than 50,000 people) per the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–612. An IRFA addresses the following: (1) A description of the reasons why action by the agency is being considered; (2) A succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal basis for, the rule; (3) A description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply; (4) A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities that will be subject to the requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record; (5) An identification, to the extent practicable, of all relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the rule; and (6) A description of any significant alternatives to the rule that accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and that minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities. 1. A description of the reasons why action by the agency is being considered. Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and associated equipment. In 1977, the Coast Guard VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 established flotation requirements for boats less than 20 feet in length, and established a weight table (Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183) used to assist the boat manufacturer in determining the amount of flotation to be included in a boat’s design and construction. Table 4 was last updated in 1984, but the size and weight of outboard engines has evolved over the years to the point where Table 4 no longer accurately represents the weights of outboard engines available on the market. Changes in the design and construction of modern outboard engines necessitate a change in the table of outboard engine weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required amounts of flotation material in the Safe Loading and Flotation Standards found in 33 CFR part 183, subparts G and H. 2. A succinct statement of the objective of, and legal basis for, the rule. Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and associated equipment. Section 308 of the CGAA requires the Coast Guard to issue regulations updating Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183 with ABYC S–30 not later than 180 days after enactment. This rulemaking will adopt the current ABYC S–30 to replace Table 4. The current ABYC S–30 is dated July 2012. Table 4 of subpart H applies to monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length, which includes recreational vessels as well as some commercial fishing vessels. It is also used indirectly for flotation requirements for survival craft covered by 46 CFR part 25 (uninspected vessels), 46 CFR part 117 (small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers), 46 CFR part 141 (towing vessels), and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons). 3. A description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will apply. This interim rule will affect manufacturers that produce monohull outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length that are not currently building boats to ABYC S–30 standard. Based on Coast Guard’s list of active MIC holders, we estimate this interim rule will affect 1,427 U.S. companies. We researched the number of employees and revenue of these companies using proprietary and public business databases.9 We then measured company 9 Data sources: ReferenceUSA (www.referenceusagov.com) and Manta (www.manta.com). PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 16517 size data using the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) business size standards to assess how many companies in this industry may be small entities.10 The SBA provides business size standards for all sectors of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).11 Using a random sample of companies out of the total population of 1,427 affected U.S. companies, we researched 749 companies and found companyspecific revenue and employment information and data on 388 of them.12 We assumed that the remaining 361 companies (for which the revenue and employment information was unavailable) are small entities for the purpose of this analysis. Of the 388 companies for which revenue and employment information was available, we found three entities that exceeded the small entity thresholds for their relevant NAICS code. The remaining 385 companies are small entities as defined by the SBA thresholds. Adding these small entities to the companies without revenue and employment information, we estimate a total of 746 of the companies are small entities. Using the results of this random sample, we calculated the fraction of small entities by dividing the total small entities by the sample size. Therefore, we estimate that 99.6 percent of all monohull companies not currently building to ABYC S–30 standard fall below the threshold for small businesses. Table 6 summarizes the findings of our small entity threshold analysis. TABLE 6—NUMBER OF COMPANIES AND SMALL ENTITIES RESEARCHED Category (a) Sample Size .......................... (b) Without Revenue or Employment Data ............................... (c ) With Revenue or Employee Data ......................................... Number of companies 749 361 388 10 ‘‘Small entities’’ include small businesses that meet the Small Business Administration size standard for small business concerns at 13 CFR 121.201, small governmental jurisdictions with a population of less than 50,000, and small organizations that are independently owned not-forprofit enterprises and which are not dominant in their field. See 5 U.S.C. 601(3)–(5). 11 SBA size standards are matched to NAICS, effective February 26, 2016. See Contracting: Table of Small Business Size Standards, Small Business Administration, https://www.sba.gov/content/ small-business-size-standards. 12 Using a 95 percent confidence level, a sample size of 385 companies is sufficient. Our research started with a random sample of 749 companies that yielded 388 entities for which requisite information was found. E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 16518 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 6—NUMBER OF COMPANIES AND SMALL ENTITIES RESEARCHED—Continued Number of companies Category (d) Exceeded Small Entity Threshold ................................ (e) Below the Small Business Threshold ................................ 3 385 Our analysis of the available company TABLE 6—NUMBER OF COMPANIES AND SMALL ENTITIES RE- information revealed 64 primary NAICS codes. Table 7 displays the NAICS SEARCHED—Continued codes of the small entities found in our sample. Number of companies Category Total Small Entities, (b) + (e) ..................................... Total, (a) .............................. Fraction Small Entities ........ 746 749 99.6% TABLE 7—NAICS CODES OF IDENTIFIED SMALL ENTITIES sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Title NAICS Code Boat Building ................................................................................................. Boat Dealers ................................................................................................. Other Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance ................ Marinas ......................................................................................................... All Other Support Services ........................................................................... Mineral Wool Manufacturing ......................................................................... Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance. All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing ........................................................ Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing ................................................... New Single-family Housing Construction (Except For-Sale Builders) .......... All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing ..................................................... Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers ..... Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers ...................... Other Building Material Dealers .................................................................... Engineering Services .................................................................................... All Other Business Support Services ........................................................... Site Preparation Contractors ........................................................................ Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing ................................................................. Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig and Fixture Manufacturing .................... Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing .................................................... Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers .......................................................... All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores) .............. Museums ...................................................................................................... Hunting and Trapping ................................................................................... Water Supply and Irrigation Systems ........................................................... Commercial and Institutional Building Construction ..................................... Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction ......................................... Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors .................................. All Other Specialty Trade Contractors .......................................................... Fabric Coating Mills ...................................................................................... Other Millwork (including Flooring) ............................................................... Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing .................................................. Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing .......................................................... All Other Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing ......... Alumina Refining and Primary Aluminum Production .................................. Aluminum Sheet, Plate and Foil Manufacturing ........................................... Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding ........................................ Plate Work Manufacturing ............................................................................ Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing .......................................... Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist and Monorail System Manufacturing ...... All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing .......... Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing ....................................... Truck Trailer Manufacturing .......................................................................... Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing. Ship Building and Repairing ......................................................................... All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing ..................................... Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing ................................................. Hobby, Toy and Game Stores ...................................................................... Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water ............................................ Navigational Services to Shipping ................................................................ Miscellaneous Intermediation ....................................................................... Recreational Goods Rental ........................................................................... Landscape Architectural Services ................................................................ Industrial Design Services ............................................................................ Graphic Design Services .............................................................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Count of companies SBA size standard type SBA size threshold 336612 441222 811490 713930 561990 327993 811310 151 56 32 28 14 11 8 Employees ........ Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Employees ........ Revenue ........... 1,000 $32,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $11,000,000 1,500 $7,500,000 339999 332312 236115 326199 423910 423990 444190 541330 561499 238910 332322 333514 336214 425120 453998 712110 114210 221310 236220 237990 238220 238990 313320 321918 325211 325314 327999 331313 331315 331318 332313 333111 333923 333999 334290 336212 336330 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Employees ........ Employees ........ Revenue ........... Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ 500 500 $36,500,000 750 100 100 $20,500,000 $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $15,000,000 500 500 1,000 100 $7,500,000 $27,500,000 $5,500,000 $27,500,000 $36,500,000 $36,500,000 $15,000,000 $15,000,000 1,000 500 1,250 500 500 1,000 1,250 750 750 1,250 1,250 500 750 1,000 1,000 336611 336999 339920 451120 487210 488330 523910 532292 541320 541420 541430 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Employees ........ Employees ........ Employees ........ Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... Revenue ........... 1,250 1,000 750 $27,500,000 $7,500,000 $38,500,000 $38,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 16519 TABLE 7—NAICS CODES OF IDENTIFIED SMALL ENTITIES—Continued Title NAICS Code Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Other Management Consulting Services ...................................................... All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services ............................ Landscaping Services ................................................................................... All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction ......................................... Emergency and Other Relief Services ......................................................... Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers ..................................................... RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds ................................... Civic and Social Organizations ..................................................................... Revenue Impacts of the Interim Rule. To determine the impacts of the interim rule on small monohull manufacturers, we used information on revenues or employee size as available on business directory Web sites.13 As discussed in the ‘‘Cost to Industry’’ section of the RA, we estimate that there are 17,916 outboard boats less than 20 feet produced by manufacturers annually that will require additional flotation materials to align with this Count of companies SBA size standard type SBA size threshold 541611 1 Revenue ........... $15,000,000 541618 541990 561730 611699 624230 713940 721211 813410 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue Revenue $15,000,000 $15,000,000 $7,500,000 $11,000,000 $32,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 interim rule in Year 1. Coast Guard does not have information on the market share of the small entity manufacturers and the number of boats they produce each year. Therefore, we assume each manufacturer consistently produces the same number of boats each year and that each manufacturer has the same market share. With 1,427 affected U.S. companies, this is an average of about 13 outboard boats per manufacturer (rounded). In Years 2 through 10, the ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... Coast Guard estimates there are 19,009 outboard boats affected, at an average of about 13 outboard boats per manufacturer (19,009 boats divided by 1,427 manufacturers, rounded). At an estimated cost of $50 per outboard boat, the average total cost per manufacturer is $650 in Years 1 through 10. Table 8 summarizes the average costs per manufacturer of the interim rule by year. TABLE 8—INTERIM RULE AVERAGE COSTS PER MANUFACTURER Affected outboard boats Year(s) 1 ........................................................................................... 2–10 ..................................................................................... Next, we compared the average cost per manufacturer to the revenue of the manufacturers in our sample. As shown in Table 6, we found revenue or company data for 385 small entities. We found revenue information for 371 of these small entities, and we were only Manufacturers not in compliance 17,916 19,009 Average outboard boats produced by manufacturer 1,427 1,427 able to find employee data for 14 entities. Therefore, we could not compare the cost per manufacturer to the revenues for the 14 entities with only employee data. Table 9 summarizes the results. In Years 1 through 10, 94.6 percent of the affected Cost per outboard boats 13 13 $50 50 Average cost per manufacturer $650 650 manufacturers will incur a cost of 1 percent or less of revenue in any given year, while 0.3 percent will incur a cost impact of greater than 10 percent of revenue. TABLE 9—INTERIM RULE REVENUE IMPACTS Number of affected manufacturers Impact range Percent of affected manufacturers 352 17 1 0 1 94.9 4.6 0.3 0 0.3 Total .............................................................................................................................................................. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES 0% < Impact ≤ 1% ............................................................................................................................................... 1% < Impact ≤ 3% ............................................................................................................................................... 3% < Impact ≤ 5% ............................................................................................................................................... 5% < Impact ≤ 10% ............................................................................................................................................. ≥10% .................................................................................................................................................................... 371 100% 4. A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirements and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record. 13 As indicated by either the revenue or employee data for businesses, we use ReferenceUSA (www.referenceusagov.com) and Manta (www.manta.com). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520. E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 16520 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 5. An identification, to the extent practicable, of all relevant Federal rules which may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the rule. There are no relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this interim rule. 6. A description of any significant alternatives to the rule which accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and which minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities. This interim rule implements section 308 of CGAA. The CGAA mandates the update of Table 4 in 33 CFR part 183. As such, the Coast Guard has no discretion to offer alternatives that minimize the impact on small entities while accomplishing the stated objective of the statute. To ease implementation of this requirement, the Coast Guard is delaying the effective date until June 1, 2018, so that the new requirements will apply only to boat manufacturers who build boats after that date. 7. Conclusion. We are interested in the potential impacts from this interim rule on small businesses and we request public comment on these potential impacts. If you think that this interim rule will have a significant economic impact on you, your business, or your organization, please submit a comment to the docket at the address under ADDRESSES in the interim rule. In your comment, explain why, how, and to what degree you think this interim rule will have an economic impact on you. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES C. Assistance for Small Entities Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104– 121, we offered to assist small entities in understanding this rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard. 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). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 D. Collection of Information This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520. E. Federalism A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132 (‘‘Federalism’’), if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 13132 and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and requirements described in Executive Order 13132. Our analysis is explained below. Congress directed the Coast Guard to ‘‘establish minimum safety standards for recreational vessels’’ (46 U.S.C. 4302). This regulation is issued pursuant to that statute and is preemptive of State law as specified in 46 U.S.C. 4306. Under 46 U.S.C. 4306, ‘‘a State or political subdivision of a State may not establish, continue in effect, or enforce a law or regulation establishing a recreational vessel or associated or equipment performance or other safety standard . . . that is not identical to a regulation prescribed under’’ 46 U.S.C. 4302. As a result, States or local governments are expressly prohibited from regulating within this category. Therefore, the rule is consistent with the principles of federalism and preemption requirements in Executive Order 13132. While it is well settled that States may not regulate in categories in which Congress intended the Coast Guard to be the sole source of a vessel’s obligations, the Coast Guard recognizes the key role that State and local governments may have in making regulatory determinations. Additionally, for rules with implications and preemptive effect, Executive Order 13132 specifically directs agencies to consult with State and local governments during the rulemaking process. If you believe this rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble. F. 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 discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble. G. Taking of Private Property This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630 (‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights’’). H. Civil Justice Reform This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, (‘‘Civil Justice Reform’’), to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. I. Protection of Children We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 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. J. Indian Tribal Governments This rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 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. K. Energy Effects We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 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 E.O. 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. L. Technical Standards The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, codified as a note to 15 U.S.C. 272, directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This rule uses a voluntary consensus standard: the current ABYC S–30. M. Environment We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f, and have concluded that this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination supporting this determination are available in the docket where indicated under the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ section of this preamble. This rule involves the safe loading capacity and required amount of flotation material for certain recreational boats, which concerns equipping of vessels, equipment and vessel operation safety standards. As such, this action is categorically excluded under section 2.B.2 and figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(d) and (e) of the Instruction and under section 6(a) of the ‘‘Appendix to National Environmental Policy Act: Coast Guard Procedures for Categorical Exclusions, Notice of Final Agency Policy’’ (67 FR 48243, July 23, 2002). VII. Public Participation and Request for Comments 16521 List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 183 We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using https:// www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions. Documents mentioned in this interim rule, and all public comments, are in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site’s instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published. We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 FR 15086). Marine safety. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 183 as follows: PART 183—BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT 1. The authority citation for part 183 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; Pub. L. 103– 206, 107 Stat. 2439; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II, (92)(b). Subpart E is also authorized by Pub. L. 114–120, 130 Stat. 27. § 183.41 [Amended] 2. Amend § 183.41 as follows: ■ a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the text ‘‘from table 4 of subpart H of this part’’ and add, in its place, the text ‘‘required by § 183.75’’; and ■ b. In paragraph (a)(2)(ii), remove the text ‘‘shown in table 4 of subpart H of this part’’ and add, in its place, the text ‘‘required by § 183.75’’. ■ 3. Add subpart E to read as follows: ■ Subpart E—Flotation and Safe Loading Requirements–Outboard Motor and Related Equipment Test Weights § 183.75 Applicability. Manufacturers of vessels to which this subpart applies must use test weights that are not less than the recommended weights set forth in Table 183.75. Table 183.75 details the weight (in pounds) of gasoline outboard engines and related equipment for various rated power (horsepower) ranges. TABLE 183.75—WEIGHTS (IN POUNDS) OF GASOLINE OUTBOARD ENGINES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS RATED POWER (HORSEPOWER) RANGES Single engine installations Column number 1 2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Engine power range (Horsepower) Dry weight 1 2 0.1–2.0 ............................. 2.1–3.9 ............................. 4.0–6.9 ............................. 7.0–10.9 ........................... 11.0–22.9 ......................... 23.0–34.9 ......................... 35.0–64.9 ......................... 65.0–94.9 ......................... 95.0–104.9 ....................... 105.0–144.9 ..................... 145.0–194.9 ..................... 195.0–209.9 ..................... 210.0–300.0 ..................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 3 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Running weight 3 30 42 66 105 127 187 286 439 458 526 561 652 699 Jkt 241001 4 Swamped weight 4 32 44 69 110 133 196 300 461 481 552 589 685 734 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Controls & rigging 5 27 37 59 94 113 167 255 392 409 469 501 582 624 Fmt 4700 0 0 0 5 6 9 14 22 23 26 28 33 35 Sfmt 4700 7 8 9 6 5 Battery weight, dry Battery weight submerged Full portable fuel tank 6 Total weight Sum of columns 3,5,6,8) 0 0 0 20 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 0 0 0 11 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 05APR1 0 0 25 50 50 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 32 44 94 185 234 350 459 628 649 723 762 863 914 16522 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 5, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 183.75—WEIGHTS (IN POUNDS) OF GASOLINE OUTBOARD ENGINES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS RATED POWER (HORSEPOWER) RANGES—Continued Single engine installations Column number 1 2 Engine power range (Horsepower) 3 Running weight 3 Dry weight 1 2 300.1–350.0 ..................... 4 884 Swamped weight 4 928 7 8 9 6 Battery weight, dry Battery weight submerged Full portable fuel tank 6 Total weight Sum of columns 3,5,6,8) 5 Controls & rigging 5 789 44 45 25 100 1,117 Notes: 1 Dry weight is the manufacturer’s published weight for the shortest midsection increased by 10 percent to account for longer midsections and additional required hardware usually not included in published weights. This weight is intended to represent the heaviest model in each power category. For boats designed with a transom height of 20 inches or less, the weight in Column 2 may be reduced by 10 percent. Recalculate Columns 3, 4, and 9 as appropriate. 2 For diesel outboards, replace the value in Column 2 with the manufacturer’s published dry weight + 10 percent. 3 Running weight is the dry weight plus fluids (including 2-stroke oil) and the heaviest recommended propeller. Calculated as 5 percent of dry weight. 4 Swamped weight is 85 percent of running weight. 5 Rigging and controls include engine related hardware required to complete the installation (e.g., controls, cables, hydraulic hoses, steering pumps and cylinders). Calculated as 5 percent of dry weight. 6 If the boat is equipped with a permanent fuel system and is not intended to use a portable tank, the portable fuel tank weight may be omitted. § 183.220 [Amended] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 4. Amend § 183.220 as follows: a. In paragraph (b)(2), remove the text ‘‘shown in Column 6 of Table 4’’ and add, in its place, the text ‘‘shown in Column 9 of Table 183.75’’; and ■ b. In paragraph (d), remove the text ‘‘specified in Columns 2 and 4 of Table 4 for the swamped weight of the motor and controls and for the submerged weight or’’ and add, in its place, the text ‘‘specified in Columns 4 and 7 of Table 183.75 for the swamped weight of the motor and controls and for the submerged weight of’’. ■ Fish and Wildlife Service ■ § 183.320 [Amended] 5. Amend § 183.320 as follows: a. In paragraph (b)(2), remove the text ‘‘shown in column 6 of Table 4’’ and add, in its place, the text, ‘‘shown in Column 9 of Table 183.75’’; and ■ b. In paragraph (d), remove the text ‘‘specified in Column 2 of Table 4’’ and add, in its place, the text ‘‘specified in Column 4 of Table 183.75’’. ■ ■ Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 183 [Removed] 6. Remove Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 183. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES ■ Dated: March 29, 2017. V.B. Gifford, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2017–06733 Filed 4–4–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:35 Apr 04, 2017 Jkt 241001 50 CFR Parts 15 and 17 [Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2015–0176; 4500030113] RIN 1018–BB29 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of the ScarletChested Parrot and the Turquoise Parrot From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the scarlet-chested parrot (Neophema splendida) and the turquoise parrot (Neophema pulchella) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Our review of the status of these parrots shows that the threats have been eliminated or reduced and populations of both species are stable, with potential increases noted for the turquoise parrot in some areas. These species are not currently in danger of extinction, and are not likely to again become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future in all or significant portions of their ranges. After the effective date of this final rule, the scarlet-chested and the turquoise parrots will remain protected under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Flora (CITES). To date, the scarletchested and turquoise parrots remain on the Approved List of Captive-bred Species under the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA). DATES: This rule becomes effective May 5, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments and materials we received, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this rule, are available for public inspection at https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2015–0176. Comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this rulemaking will be available by appointment during normal business hours at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; telephone, 703–358–2171; facsimile, 703–358–1735. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janine Van Norman, Chief, Branch of Foreign Species, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; telephone, 703–358–2171; facsimile, 703–358–1735. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Summary This document contains a final rule to remove the scarlet-chested parrot and the turquoise parrot from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. E:\FR\FM\05APR1.SGM 05APR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16512-16522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06733]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 183

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1012]
RIN 1625-AC37


Recreational Boat Flotation Standards--Update of Outboard Engine 
Weight Test Requirements

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing this interim rule to update the 
table of outboard engine weights used in calculating safe loading 
capacities and required amounts of flotation material. The engine 
weight table was last updated in 1984, and the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2015 requires that we update the table to reflect 
a specific standard.

DATES: This interim rule is effective on June 1, 2018. Comments and 
related material must be submitted to the online docket via https://www.regulations.gov, or reach the Docket Management Facility, on or 
before July 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2016-1012 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email Mr. Jeffrey Ludwig, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1061, 
email Jeffrey.A.Ludwig@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Abbreviations
II. Basis and Purpose
III. Regulatory History
IV. Background
V. Discussion of Rule
VI. Regulatory Analyses
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review

[[Page 16513]]

    B. Small Entities
    C. Assistance for Small Entities
    D. Collection of Information
    E. Federalism
    F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    G. Taking of Private Property
    H. Civil Justice Reform
    I. Protection of Children
    J. Indian Tribal Governments
    K. Energy Effects
    L. Technical Standards
    M. Environment
VII. Public Participation and Request for Comments

I. Abbreviations

ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council
ABYC S-30 American Boat and Yacht Council S-30--Outboard Engines and 
Related Equipment Weights
CGAA Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-120, 130 
Stat. 27; Feb. 8, 2016)
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive Order
FR Federal Register
IRFA Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
MIC Manufacturer Identification Code
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NBSAC National Boating Safety Advisory Council
NMMA National Marine Manufacturers Association
OMB Office of Management and Budget
Pub. L. Public Law
RA Regulatory analysis
Sec.  Section symbol
SBA Small Business Administration
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Basis and Purpose

    Section 308 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 
114-120, 130 Stat. 27) (CGAA) requires the Coast Guard to issue 
regulations, not later than 180 days after enactment, updating Table 4 
of subpart H in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 
183 to reflect the American Boat and Yacht Council S-30--Outboard 
Engines and Related Equipment Weights (ABYC S-30) standard.
    Additionally, 46 U.S.C. 4302(b), which provides authority for 33 
CFR part 183, requires the effective date for rules issued under that 
provision be delayed at least 180 days after publication, but not more 
than 2 years for cases involving major product design, retooling, or 
changes in the manufacturing process. It also requires consultation 
with the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC).\1\ Although 
this rule is issued pursuant to CGAA and not 46 U.S.C. 4302, it amends 
regulations issued pursuant to section 4302 and the 180-day delay is 
appropriate. The delay provides manufacturers with time to adjust their 
operations to comply with the new standard. We have implemented that 
delay of effective date in this rule.
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    \1\ The NBSAC recommended to the Coast Guard in 2000 that the 
weight table be updated (Resolution number 2000-66-05), and 
discussed the replacement of Table 4 with the ABYC standard at their 
April 2016 meeting.
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III. Regulatory History

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking before this 
interim rule. The Coast Guard finds good cause to forgo prior notice 
and opportunity to comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because section 
308 of CGAA provides the Coast Guard no discretion in adopting the 
specific industry standard for engine weights. The Coast Guard may not 
decline to update the engine weight standards, choose to adopt a 
different standard, or respond to public comments by modifying the 
substance of the rule. Because the Act does not allow for alternatives; 
the Coast Guard may not adopt a different standard or modify the 
substance of the rule in response to public comments. Therefore, it was 
unnecessary and impracticable to provide the public with notice and 
opportunity to comment before publishing this interim rule.
    This rule also relocates the relevant table within the CFR, and 
makes similar administrative changes that have no substantive effect on 
the public. Because these changes do not create or change any rights or 
responsibilities for the public, prior notice and opportunity to 
comment are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). However, the Coast 
Guard is interested in the public's views on these changes.
    In addition, we are delaying the effective date of this rule until 
June 1, 2018, for two reasons: (1) To meet the intent of 46 U.S.C. 
4302(b), as described earlier in this rule, and (2) to align with the 
recreational boat model year so that requirements do not change during 
a model year production run. The delay in effective date allows time 
for a post-publication comment period and for non-substantive changes 
if needed.
    Therefore, even though 5 U.S.C. 553 allows the Coast Guard to forgo 
notice and opportunity for comment prior to issuing this rule, we 
invite public comment on the interim rule. We will not have the 
authority to change the substance of the rule--for example, the 
specific weight standard used--in response to public comment, because 
that requirement is set in statute. However, we invite public comment 
on other aspects of the rule, such as changes we have made to cross-
references, and we may make changes after considering those comments. 
We believe this strikes the best balance between satisfying the 
statute, putting a rule in place soon so that manufacturers can plan 
ahead, and allowing public comment to the extent we are permitted by 
CGAA.

IV. Background

    Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations 
establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and 
associated equipment. In 1977, the Coast Guard established flotation 
requirements for boats less than 20 feet in length, and established a 
weight table (Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183) used to assist 
the boat manufacturer in determining the amount of flotation to be 
included in a boat's design and construction.
    Table 4 was last updated in 1984, but the size and weight of 
outboard engines has evolved over the years to the point that Table 4 
no longer accurately represents the weights of outboard engines 
available on the market.
    The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) is a non-profit 
organization that develops voluntary safety standards for the design, 
construction, maintenance, and repair of recreational boats. Among the 
voluntary safety standards that ABYC develops and updates on a regular 
basis is S-30--Outboard Engines and Related Equipment Weights (ABYC S-
30). This standard reflects the current state of marine outboard engine 
weights.

V. Discussion of Rule

    This rulemaking adopts the current ABYC S-30 to replace Table 4 of 
subpart H in 33 CFR part 183. The current ABYC S-30 is dated July 2012, 
and was the standard in effect on the date of enactment of the Act.
    In the CFR, Table 4 applies to monohull outboard boats that are 
less than 20 feet in length, which includes recreational vessels as 
well as some commercial fishing vessels. It is also used indirectly for 
flotation requirements for survival craft covered by 46 CFR part 25 
(uninspected vessels), 46 CFR part 117 (small passenger vessels 
carrying more than 150 passengers), 46 CFR part 141 (towing vessels) 
and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons). 
Changing the figures in Table 4, as required by the Act, will require 
more flotation in each new boat, to support the weight of heavier 
engines.
    This rule removes Table 4 and replaces it with a new section in 
subpart E of part 183. That section contains the table of the ABYC S-30 
standard and its corresponding footnotes. We made minor edits to the 
footnotes developed

[[Page 16514]]

by ABYC to accommodate the location of the table in the CFR and to 
reflect the removal of Table 4. We also made conforming changes to 
several sections that referenced Table 4.

VI. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive Orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on these statutes or E.O.s.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and 
13563 (``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') direct agencies 
to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives 
and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, 
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of 
promoting flexibility. Executive Order 13771 (``Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs'') directs agencies to reduce regulation 
and control regulatory costs and provides that ``for every one new 
regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for 
elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently 
managed and controlled through a budgeting process.''
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this 
rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866. Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
not reviewed it. As this rule is not a significant regulatory action, 
this rule is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771. See 
OMB's Memorandum titled ``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of 
the Executive Order of January 30, 2017 titled `Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' (February 2, 2017). A regulatory 
analysis (RA) follows.
    This RA provides an evaluation of the economic impacts associated 
with this interim rule. The Coast Guard is issuing an interim rule to 
implement section 308 of the CGAA. The CGAA mandates that the Coast 
Guard issue regulations to amend Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 
183 to reflect the standards in ABYC S-30. Consequently, 100% of the 
costs of this rule are due to a Congressional mandate and the Coast 
Guard has no discretion to adopt a different standard that would lower 
the cost of this rule. Changes in the design and construction of modern 
outboard engines necessitate a change in the table of outboard engine 
weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required 
amounts of flotation material in the Safe Loading and Flotation 
Standards found in 33 CFR part 183, subparts G and H.
    Table 1 of this document provides a summary of the affected 
population, costs, and benefits of this rule.

           Table 1--Summary of the Impacts of the Interim Rule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Category                             Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicability................  Update Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR
                                part 183 with ABYC S-30.
Affected Population..........  1,427 manufacturers of monohull outboard
                                boats of less than 20 feet in length.
Costs to Industry ($, 7%       10-year: $6,624,488.
 discount rate).               Annualized: $943,178.
Unquantified Benefits........  Creates uniformity by aligning all boats
                                to the same standard.
                               Brings those boats not currently in
                                compliance with ABYC S-30 to a higher
                                level of safety than the standard
                                currently in regulation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Affected Population
    This interim rule will adopt the current ABYC S-30 to replace Table 
4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183. Table 4 applies to monohull outboard 
boats that are less than 20 feet in length, including recreational 
vessels and some commercial fishing vessels.
    Table 4 is also used indirectly for flotation requirements for 
survival craft covered by 46 CFR part 25 (uninspected vessels), 46 CFR 
part 117 (small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers), 
46 CFR part 141 (towing vessels), and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger 
vessels under 100 gross tons). Small passenger vessels are required to 
carry certain survival craft, depending on their route and 
construction, in order to have the capacity to evacuate a certain 
percentage of the number of people on board. These survival craft are 
generally life rafts or floats, which do not have engines and are not 
impacted by this interim rule. However, small passenger vessels could 
voluntarily carry a small boat that can be used to carry some of the 
passengers, thereby reducing the number of other survival craft they 
are required to carry (46 CFR 117.200(b) and 46 CFR 180.200(b)). 
Because this is a voluntary option available for these vessels, we do 
not include them in our analysis. However, we do note that if the 
uninspected vessels, small passenger vessels carrying more than 150 
passengers, towing vessels, or small passenger vessels under 100 gross 
tons choose to carry a small boat on board that does not meet ABYC S-30 
standard, they could be indirectly affected by this interim rule. 
Because this interim rule applies only to new boats manufactured after 
June 1, 2018, any small passenger vessels already carrying small boats 
subject to Table 4 of subpart H will not be affected. If they choose to 
replace their small boat with a boat built after June 1, 2018, they may 
be indirectly affected if the manufacturer passes the costs of this 
interim rule on to the consumers. We account for the direct costs to 
manufacturers in this analysis.
    The interim rule will affect manufacturers that produce monohull 
outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length and that are not 
currently building boats to ABYC S-30 standard. The Coast Guard used 
the list of active Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) holders, as 
required by 33 CFR part 181, subpart C, to determine the affected 
population. This list represents all recreational boat MICs that are 
currently active. We then removed any MICs that will not be affected by 
this rule from the list of manufacturers. This includes: (1) 
Manufacturers with multiple MICs; (2) MICs belonging to manufacturers 
that only build boats greater than 20 feet in length; (3) MICs 
belonging to manufacturers that do not build monohull outboard boats; 
and (4) MICs belonging to manufacturers that only produce boats 
exempted from this regulation by 33 CFR 183.201(b), including 
sailboats, canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, submersibles, surface 
effect vessels, amphibious vessels, and raceboats. We found there are 
no more

[[Page 16515]]

than 1,519 affected manufacturers that produce monohull outboard boats 
that are less than 20 feet in length.
    Some of these 1,519 monohull manufacturers are currently in 
compliance with ABYC S-30 standard, and therefore will not incur 
additional costs because of this rule. The National Marine 
Manufacturers Association (NMMA) requires its members to build boats to 
the ABYC standard.\2\ These NMMA builders produce about 85 percent of 
the recreational boats built each year.\3\ We found 92 monohull 
manufacturers that are currently NMMA members and therefore we assume 
they are in compliance. We assume the remaining 1,427 monohull 
manufacturers are not compliant with the current voluntary standard and 
will be affected by this rule.
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    \2\ See Michael Vatalaro, What ``NMMA-Certified'' Really Means, 
BoatUS, Feb. 2014, https://www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/february/what-nnma-certified-means.asp.
    \3\ Id.
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Costs to Industry
    This interim rule will adopt the current ABYC S-30, to replace 
Table 4 of subpart H. This change will increase costs to 1,427 monohull 
manufacturers that are assumed to be not in compliance. The increase in 
the weight table figures will require an additional 1 to 2 cubic feet 
of flotation to be added to each boat manufactured after the 
implementation date of June 1, 2018. We estimate the foam for the 
additional flotation will cost an average of $10 per boat.\4\ Some 
manufacturers may need to make minor adjustments such as enclosing an 
aft seat and adding foam under the seat to accommodate the additional 
foam in the boats. Therefore, Coast Guard uses an estimate of $50 per 
boat to account for the foam and any minor adjustments that may be 
necessary.\5\ Manufacturers could incur costs related to determining 
where to put the additional flotation on a vessel, but we believe 
redesign costs would not be needed as the additional flotation material 
is minimal and the placement of the material is fairly standard. The 
manufacturers are already required to add flotation to boats, so there 
will be no costs for new equipment, facilities, or retrofitting of 
facilities.
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    \4\ The $10 estimate is based on 2 LB Density Urethane Foam 
estimates from US Composites (https://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html) 
and conversations with manufacturers. Foam prices vary based on the 
size of the kits. The cost of kits range from a 2 cubic foot kit 
cost of $22.50 ($11.25 per cubic foot) to $264 for a 40 cubic foot 
kit ($6.60 per cubic foot). Conversations with manufacturers 
confirmed $10 is a reasonable average estimate for adding 1 to 2 
cubic feet of additional flotation, that takes into account the 
varying costs based on the size of kits purchased and that 
manufacturers may pay less than the listed prices based on their 
purchasing agreements with the suppliers.
    \5\ Based on discussions with manufacturers, the additional $40 
estimate is to cover the cost of enclosing a rear seat to add 
flotation foam under it or to add small chambers, especially on open 
aluminum boats, to accommodate the additional flotation foam.
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    To estimate the total cost to industry, we then estimated the total 
number of outboard boats less than 20 feet in length manufactured per 
year by the monohull manufacturers that are not in compliance. The 
Coast Guard used data from the NMMA's 2015 Recreational Boating 
Statistical Abstract \6\ to estimate the total affected outboard boats. 
The NMMA breaks down outboard boat sales by two hull materials: 
Fiberglass and aluminum. The NMMA estimates that in 2015, 51,300 
fiberglass outboard boats and 104,500 aluminum outboard boats were 
sold. Of these boats sold, 42.7 percent of the fiberglass outboard 
boats and 60.4 percent of the aluminum outboard boats were less than 20 
feet in length. Multiplying the percentage market share of boats less 
than 20 feet by the total sales of boats by material, we found there 
were 21,905 fiberglass boats and 63,118 aluminum outboard boats less 
than 20 feet sold in 2015 (see Table 2).
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    \6\ A summary of the NMMA abstract is available at https://www.nmma.org/statistics/publications/statistical-abstract. The full 
report is available for purchase through NMMA. The Coast Guard used 
data from Powerboat Sales Trends, Table 1: Outboard boats: Estimated 
sales by hull market; Table 2: Fiberglass outboard boats: Estimated 
market share by length; and Table 3: Aluminum outboard boats: 
Estimated market share by length.

                    Table 2--Total Sales and Market Share of Outboard Boats by Material Type
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                                                                                 Percentage
                                                                                market share     Total outboard
                 Outboard boat by material                   Estimated total   outboard boats    boats less than
                                                                  sales         less than 20     20 feet sold in
                                                                                    feet              2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiberglass................................................            51,300              42.7            21,905
Aluminum..................................................           104,500              60.4            63,118
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Total.................................................           155,800  ................            85,023
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    The total 85,023 outboard boats less than 20 feet that were sold in 
2015 were produced by a mix of manufacturers that are already in 
compliance with the ABYC S-30 standard and manufacturers that are not 
in compliance and will be impacted by this rule. The NMMA estimates 
that around 85 percent of the boats sold in the United States are 
already in compliance with the ABYC S-30 standard. Therefore, the Coast 
Guard estimates 15 percent of the total outboard boats less than 20 
feet sold were produced by manufacturers not in compliance with the 
ABYC standard. These 12,753 boats (15 percent of the 85,023 outboard 
boats less than 20 feet, rounded) will require $50 of additional 
flotation materials to align with the new standard.
    To estimate the affected outboard boats over our 10-year period of 
analysis, we used NMMA data to forecast future boat building 
production.\7\ The NMMA anticipates annual production will rise through 
at least 2018 before leveling off into at least early 2019. The NMMA 
does not have estimates for production past 2019. Since the NMMA 
anticipates production will plateau once it reaches the levels of 
production estimated in 2019, the Coast Guard assumes production will 
hold at 2019 levels. Production could decrease or increase, resulting 
in higher or lower industry costs, but for the purposes of this 
analysis we assume production remains constant past 2019. Table 3 shows 
our baseline affected population, the forecasted percentage increases 
over the previous year estimated by NMMA, and the resulting number of 
affected outboard boats.\8\
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    \7\ Production forecasts are internal NMMA estimates that were 
provided to the Coast Guard on 9/7/2016.
    \8\ Forecasted percentages for 2016 and 2019 were given in NMMA 
data. Forecasted percentages for years 2017 and 2018 were calculated 
from NMMA's forecasted annual production index. For 2017, the 
affected outboard boats manufactured annually are calculated as [1 + 
((170.1-147.6)/147.6)] * 14,232 = 16,402, rounded. For 2018, the 
affected outboard boats manufactured annually are calculated as [1 + 
(185.8-170.1)/170.1] * 16,402, rounded.

[[Page 16516]]



               Table 3--Forecasted Affected Outboard Boats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Forecasted         Affected
                                         percentage      outboard boats
                Year                   increase  over     manufactured
                                        previous year       annually
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015................................  ................            12,753
2016................................              11.6            14,232
2017................................              15.2            16,402
2018................................               9.2            17,916
2019................................               6.1            19,009
2020+...............................               0.0            19,009
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As this interim rule will be effective June 1, 2018, any outboard 
boats manufactured after this date will need to be in compliance with 
ABYC S-30 standard. The Coast Guard anticipates most manufacturers will 
begin making the necessary changes at the beginning of 2018. All 
manufacturers will be in compliance by June 1, 2018 of Year 1, which 
corresponds with the 2018 estimated affected outboard boats in Table 3. 
We estimate there will be 17,916 affected outboard boats in Year 1 and 
19,009 affected outboard boats in Years 2 through 10. Table 4 
summarizes the estimated affected population of outboard boats that we 
used to estimate the 10-year costs of this interim rule.

         Table 4--Ten-Year Projection of Affected Outboard Boats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Affected
                            Year                               outboard
                                                                 boats
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................      17,916
2...........................................................      19,009
3...........................................................      19,009
4...........................................................      19,009
5...........................................................      19,009
6...........................................................      19,009
7...........................................................      19,009
8...........................................................      19,009
9...........................................................      19,009
10..........................................................      19,009
------------------------------------------------------------------------

We then multiplied the projected number of affected outboard boats each 
year in Table 4 by the estimated cost per boat of $50. Table 5 shows 
the total costs of this interim rule on an undiscounted basis, and 
discounted at 7 and 3 percent.

                                      Table 5--Total Costs of Interim Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Total             Total, discounted
                              Year                                 undiscounted  -------------------------------
                                                                       costs            7%              3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................................        $895,800        $837,196        $869,709
2...............................................................         950,450         830,160         895,840
3...............................................................         950,450         775,850         869,796
4...............................................................         950,450         725,094         844,463
5...............................................................         950,450         677,658         819,867
6...............................................................         950,450         633,325         795,987
7...............................................................         950,450         591,892         772,803
8...............................................................         950,450         553,171         750,294
9...............................................................         950,450         516,982         728,441
10..............................................................         950,450         483,161         707,224
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................       9,449,850       6,624,488       8,054,473
Annualized......................................................  ..............         943,178         944,230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Totals may not sum due to independent rounding.

The total 10-year undiscounted cost of this interim rule is $9,449,850. 
The total 10-year discounted cost of this interim rule is $6,624,488 
and the annualized cost is $943,178, both discounted at 7 percent. The 
manufacturers of outboard boats less than 20 feet in length not in 
compliance with ABYC S-30 standard will bear these costs. However, it 
is possible that manufacturers may pass these costs onto the 
recreational boat owners by incorporating the additional costs of this 
interim rule into the sales price. The sale price of the affected boats 
can range from $3,000 through $50,000. If we use an average of $26,500 
per boat, the $50 average cost per boat represents 0.2 percent of the 
sales price. However, 85 percent of the boats sold in the United States 
are already in compliance and include this cost of floatation in the 
sales prices.
Benefits
    This rule does not provide any quantitative benefits. However, it 
does have qualitative benefits. This rule will create uniformity by 
aligning all boats to the same standard. The ABYC S-30 provides a 
higher level of safety than that provided by the standard currently in 
the regulation. Requiring all boats less than 20 feet in length that 
currently do not meet ABYC S-30 standard weights to comply with that 
standard

[[Page 16517]]

will improve the buoyancy of these boats, and therefore, improve their 
safety.

B. Small Entities

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-
612), the Coast Guard prepared this Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA) that examines the impacts of the interim rule on small 
entities (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We recognize that an IRFA is not 
required for an interim rule that was not preceded by a general notice 
of proposed rulemaking. We are including an analysis of the interim 
rule requirements on small entities for informational purposes.
    A small entity may be: a small independent business, defined as 
independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not 
dominant in its field per the Small Business Act (5 U.S.C. 632); a 
small not-for-profit organization (any not-for-profit enterprise which 
is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field); 
or a small governmental jurisdiction (locality with fewer than 50,000 
people) per the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
    An IRFA addresses the following:
    (1) A description of the reasons why action by the agency is being 
considered;
    (2) A succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal basis for, 
the rule;
    (3) A description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number 
of small entities to which the rule will apply;
    (4) A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping and 
other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the 
classes of small entities that will be subject to the requirement and 
the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report 
or record;
    (5) An identification, to the extent practicable, of all relevant 
Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the rule; 
and
    (6) A description of any significant alternatives to the rule that 
accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and that 
minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities.
    1. A description of the reasons why action by the agency is being 
considered.
    Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations 
establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and 
associated equipment. In 1977, the Coast Guard established flotation 
requirements for boats less than 20 feet in length, and established a 
weight table (Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183) used to assist 
the boat manufacturer in determining the amount of flotation to be 
included in a boat's design and construction.
    Table 4 was last updated in 1984, but the size and weight of 
outboard engines has evolved over the years to the point where Table 4 
no longer accurately represents the weights of outboard engines 
available on the market. Changes in the design and construction of 
modern outboard engines necessitate a change in the table of outboard 
engine weights used in calculating safe loading capacities and required 
amounts of flotation material in the Safe Loading and Flotation 
Standards found in 33 CFR part 183, subparts G and H.
    2. A succinct statement of the objective of, and legal basis for, 
the rule.
    Congress has authorized the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations 
establishing minimum safety standards for recreational vessels and 
associated equipment. Section 308 of the CGAA requires the Coast Guard 
to issue regulations updating Table 4 of subpart H in 33 CFR part 183 
with ABYC S-30 not later than 180 days after enactment. This rulemaking 
will adopt the current ABYC S-30 to replace Table 4. The current ABYC 
S-30 is dated July 2012. Table 4 of subpart H applies to monohull 
outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length, which includes 
recreational vessels as well as some commercial fishing vessels. It is 
also used indirectly for flotation requirements for survival craft 
covered by 46 CFR part 25 (uninspected vessels), 46 CFR part 117 (small 
passenger vessels carrying more than 150 passengers), 46 CFR part 141 
(towing vessels), and 46 CFR part 180 (small passenger vessels under 
100 gross tons).
    3. A description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number 
of small entities to which the rule will apply.
    This interim rule will affect manufacturers that produce monohull 
outboard boats that are less than 20 feet in length that are not 
currently building boats to ABYC S-30 standard.
    Based on Coast Guard's list of active MIC holders, we estimate this 
interim rule will affect 1,427 U.S. companies. We researched the number 
of employees and revenue of these companies using proprietary and 
public business databases.\9\ We then measured company size data using 
the Small Business Administration's (SBA) business size standards to 
assess how many companies in this industry may be small entities.\10\ 
The SBA provides business size standards for all sectors of the North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS).\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Data sources: ReferenceUSA (www.referenceusagov.com) and 
Manta (www.manta.com).
    \10\ ``Small entities'' include small businesses that meet the 
Small Business Administration size standard for small business 
concerns at 13 CFR 121.201, small governmental jurisdictions with a 
population of less than 50,000, and small organizations that are 
independently owned not-for-profit enterprises and which are not 
dominant in their field. See 5 U.S.C. 601(3)-(5).
    \11\ SBA size standards are matched to NAICS, effective February 
26, 2016. See Contracting: Table of Small Business Size Standards, 
Small Business Administration, https://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-size-standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using a random sample of companies out of the total population of 
1,427 affected U.S. companies, we researched 749 companies and found 
company-specific revenue and employment information and data on 388 of 
them.\12\ We assumed that the remaining 361 companies (for which the 
revenue and employment information was unavailable) are small entities 
for the purpose of this analysis. Of the 388 companies for which 
revenue and employment information was available, we found three 
entities that exceeded the small entity thresholds for their relevant 
NAICS code. The remaining 385 companies are small entities as defined 
by the SBA thresholds. Adding these small entities to the companies 
without revenue and employment information, we estimate a total of 746 
of the companies are small entities. Using the results of this random 
sample, we calculated the fraction of small entities by dividing the 
total small entities by the sample size. Therefore, we estimate that 
99.6 percent of all monohull companies not currently building to ABYC 
S-30 standard fall below the threshold for small businesses. Table 6 
summarizes the findings of our small entity threshold analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Using a 95 percent confidence level, a sample size of 385 
companies is sufficient. Our research started with a random sample 
of 749 companies that yielded 388 entities for which requisite 
information was found.

       Table 6--Number of Companies and Small Entities Researched
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Number of
                          Category                             companies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Sample Size.............................................         749
(b) Without Revenue or Employment Data......................         361
(c ) With Revenue or Employee Data..........................         388

[[Page 16518]]

 
(d) Exceeded Small Entity Threshold.........................           3
(e) Below the Small Business Threshold......................         385
    Total Small Entities, (b) + (e).........................         746
    Total, (a)..............................................         749
    Fraction Small Entities.................................       99.6%
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Our analysis of the available company information revealed 64 
primary NAICS codes. Table 7 displays the NAICS codes of the small 
entities found in our sample.

                                Table 7--NAICS Codes of Identified Small Entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Count of                                     SBA size
               Title                   NAICS Code       companies       SBA size standard type       threshold
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boat Building......................          336612             151  Employees..................           1,000
Boat Dealers.......................          441222              56  Revenue....................     $32,500,000
Other Personal and Household Goods           811490              32  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 Repair and Maintenance.
Marinas............................          713930              28  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
All Other Support Services.........          561990              14  Revenue....................     $11,000,000
Mineral Wool Manufacturing.........          327993              11  Employees..................           1,500
Commercial and Industrial Machinery          811310               8  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 and Equipment (except Automotive
 and Electronic) Repair and
 Maintenance.
All Other Miscellaneous                      339999               5  Employees..................             500
 Manufacturing.
Fabricated Structural Metal                  332312               4  Employees..................             500
 Manufacturing.
New Single-family Housing                    236115               3  Revenue....................     $36,500,000
 Construction (Except For-Sale
 Builders).
All Other Plastics Product                   326199               3  Employees..................             750
 Manufacturing.
Sporting and Recreational Goods and          423910               3  Employees..................             100
 Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.
Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods            423990               3  Employees..................             100
 Merchant Wholesalers.
Other Building Material Dealers....          444190               3  Revenue....................     $20,500,000
Engineering Services...............          541330               3  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
All Other Business Support Services          561499               3  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
Site Preparation Contractors.......          238910               2  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing.....          332322               2  Employees..................             500
Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig           333514               2  Employees..................             500
 and Fixture Manufacturing.
Travel Trailer and Camper                    336214               2  Employees..................           1,000
 Manufacturing.
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers.          425120               2  Employees..................             100
All Other Miscellaneous Store                453998               2  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 Retailers (except Tobacco Stores).
Museums............................          712110               2  Revenue....................     $27,500,000
Hunting and Trapping...............          114210               1  Revenue....................      $5,500,000
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems          221310               1  Revenue....................     $27,500,000
Commercial and Institutional                 236220               1  Revenue....................     $36,500,000
 Building Construction.
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering            237990               1  Revenue....................     $36,500,000
 Construction.
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-                  238220               1  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
 Conditioning Contractors.
All Other Specialty Trade                    238990               1  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
 Contractors.
Fabric Coating Mills...............          313320               1  Employees..................           1,000
Other Millwork (including Flooring)          321918               1  Employees..................             500
Plastics Material and Resin                  325211               1  Employees..................           1,250
 Manufacturing.
Fertilizer (Mixing Only)                     325314               1  Employees..................             500
 Manufacturing.
All Other Miscellaneous Nonmetallic          327999               1  Employees..................             500
 Mineral Product Manufacturing.
Alumina Refining and Primary                 331313               1  Employees..................           1,000
 Aluminum Production.
Aluminum Sheet, Plate and Foil               331315               1  Employees..................           1,250
 Manufacturing.
Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing,             331318               1  Employees..................             750
 and Extruding.
Plate Work Manufacturing...........          332313               1  Employees..................             750
Farm Machinery and Equipment                 333111               1  Employees..................           1,250
 Manufacturing.
Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist and          333923               1  Employees..................           1,250
 Monorail System Manufacturing.
All Other Miscellaneous General              333999               1  Employees..................             500
 Purpose Machinery Manufacturing.
Other Communications Equipment               334290               1  Employees..................             750
 Manufacturing.
Truck Trailer Manufacturing........          336212               1  Employees..................           1,000
Motor Vehicle Steering and                   336330               1  Employees..................           1,000
 Suspension Components (except
 Spring) Manufacturing.
Ship Building and Repairing........          336611               1  Employees..................           1,250
All Other Transportation Equipment           336999               1  Employees..................           1,000
 Manufacturing.
Sporting and Athletic Goods                  339920               1  Employees..................             750
 Manufacturing.
Hobby, Toy and Game Stores.........          451120               1  Revenue....................     $27,500,000
Scenic and Sightseeing                       487210               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 Transportation, Water.
Navigational Services to Shipping..          488330               1  Revenue....................     $38,500,000
Miscellaneous Intermediation.......          523910               1  Revenue....................     $38,500,000
Recreational Goods Rental..........          532292               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
Landscape Architectural Services...          541320               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
Industrial Design Services.........          541420               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
Graphic Design Services............          541430               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000

[[Page 16519]]

 
Administrative Management and                541611               1  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
 General Management Consulting
 Services.
Other Management Consulting                  541618               1  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
 Services.
All Other Professional, Scientific           541990               1  Revenue....................     $15,000,000
 and Technical Services.
Landscaping Services...............          561730               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
All Other Miscellaneous Schools and          611699               1  Revenue....................     $11,000,000
 Instruction.
Emergency and Other Relief Services          624230               1  Revenue....................     $32,500,000
Fitness and Recreational Sports              713940               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 Centers.
RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and          721211               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
 Campgrounds.
Civic and Social Organizations.....          813410               1  Revenue....................      $7,500,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Revenue Impacts of the Interim Rule. To determine the impacts of 
the interim rule on small monohull manufacturers, we used information 
on revenues or employee size as available on business directory Web 
sites.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ As indicated by either the revenue or employee data for 
businesses, we use ReferenceUSA (www.referenceusagov.com) and Manta 
(www.manta.com).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the ``Cost to Industry'' section of the RA, we 
estimate that there are 17,916 outboard boats less than 20 feet 
produced by manufacturers annually that will require additional 
flotation materials to align with this interim rule in Year 1. Coast 
Guard does not have information on the market share of the small entity 
manufacturers and the number of boats they produce each year. 
Therefore, we assume each manufacturer consistently produces the same 
number of boats each year and that each manufacturer has the same 
market share. With 1,427 affected U.S. companies, this is an average of 
about 13 outboard boats per manufacturer (rounded). In Years 2 through 
10, the Coast Guard estimates there are 19,009 outboard boats affected, 
at an average of about 13 outboard boats per manufacturer (19,009 boats 
divided by 1,427 manufacturers, rounded). At an estimated cost of $50 
per outboard boat, the average total cost per manufacturer is $650 in 
Years 1 through 10. Table 8 summarizes the average costs per 
manufacturer of the interim rule by year.

                              Table 8--Interim Rule Average Costs per Manufacturer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Average
                                     Affected      Manufacturers  outboard boats     Cost per      Average cost
             Year(s)              outboard boats      not in        produced by   outboard boats        per
                                                    compliance     manufacturer                    manufacturer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................          17,916           1,427              13             $50            $650
2-10............................          19,009           1,427              13              50             650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Next, we compared the average cost per manufacturer to the revenue 
of the manufacturers in our sample. As shown in Table 6, we found 
revenue or company data for 385 small entities. We found revenue 
information for 371 of these small entities, and we were only able to 
find employee data for 14 entities. Therefore, we could not compare the 
cost per manufacturer to the revenues for the 14 entities with only 
employee data. Table 9 summarizes the results. In Years 1 through 10, 
94.6 percent of the affected manufacturers will incur a cost of 1 
percent or less of revenue in any given year, while 0.3 percent will 
incur a cost impact of greater than 10 percent of revenue.

                  Table 9--Interim Rule Revenue Impacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Number of        Percent of
             Impact range                   affected         affected
                                         manufacturers    manufacturers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% < Impact <= 1%.....................              352             94.9
1% < Impact <= 3%.....................               17              4.6
3% < Impact <= 5%.....................                1              0.3
5% < Impact <= 10%....................                0                0
>=10%.................................                1              0.3
                                       ---------------------------------
    Total.............................              371             100%
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and 
other compliance requirements of the rule, including an estimate of the 
classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirements and 
the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report 
or record.
    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

[[Page 16520]]

    5. An identification, to the extent practicable, of all relevant 
Federal rules which may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the rule.
    There are no relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with this interim rule.
    6. A description of any significant alternatives to the rule which 
accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and which 
minimize any significant economic impact of the rule on small entities.
    This interim rule implements section 308 of CGAA. The CGAA mandates 
the update of Table 4 in 33 CFR part 183. As such, the Coast Guard has 
no discretion to offer alternatives that minimize the impact on small 
entities while accomplishing the stated objective of the statute. To 
ease implementation of this requirement, the Coast Guard is delaying 
the effective date until June 1, 2018, so that the new requirements 
will apply only to boat manufacturers who build boats after that date.
    7. Conclusion.
    We are interested in the potential impacts from this interim rule 
on small businesses and we request public comment on these potential 
impacts. If you think that this interim rule will have a significant 
economic impact on you, your business, or your organization, please 
submit a comment to the docket at the address under ADDRESSES in the 
interim rule. In your comment, explain why, how, and to what degree you 
think this interim rule will have an economic impact on you.

C. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we offered to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule so that they could better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. The Coast Guard 
will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain 
about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
    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).

D. Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

E. Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132 
(``Federalism''), if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 13132 and 
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and requirements described in Executive Order 13132. Our 
analysis is explained below.
    Congress directed the Coast Guard to ``establish minimum safety 
standards for recreational vessels'' (46 U.S.C. 4302). This regulation 
is issued pursuant to that statute and is preemptive of State law as 
specified in 46 U.S.C. 4306. Under 46 U.S.C. 4306, ``a State or 
political subdivision of a State may not establish, continue in effect, 
or enforce a law or regulation establishing a recreational vessel or 
associated or equipment performance or other safety standard . . . that 
is not identical to a regulation prescribed under'' 46 U.S.C. 4302. As 
a result, States or local governments are expressly prohibited from 
regulating within this category. Therefore, the rule is consistent with 
the principles of federalism and preemption requirements in Executive 
Order 13132.
    While it is well settled that States may not regulate in categories 
in which Congress intended the Coast Guard to be the sole source of a 
vessel's obligations, the Coast Guard recognizes the key role that 
State and local governments may have in making regulatory 
determinations. Additionally, for rules with implications and 
preemptive effect, Executive Order 13132 specifically directs agencies 
to consult with State and local governments during the rulemaking 
process. If you believe this rule has implications for federalism under 
Executive Order 13132, please contact the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.

F. 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 discretionary 
regulatory actions. 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 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under E.O. 12630 (``Governmental Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights'').

H. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of E.O. 12988, (``Civil Justice Reform''), to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

I. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 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.

J. Indian Tribal Governments

    This rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 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.

K. Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under E.O. 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 E.O. 12866 and is not likely to have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.

L. Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, codified as a 
note to 15 U.S.C. 272, directs agencies to use voluntary consensus 
standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides 
Congress, through OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards 
would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise

[[Page 16521]]

impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards 
(e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; 
test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems 
practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule uses a voluntary consensus standard: the current ABYC S-
30.

M. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f, and have concluded that this 
action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. An 
environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion 
determination supporting this determination are available in the docket 
where indicated under the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' section of this preamble. This rule involves the safe 
loading capacity and required amount of flotation material for certain 
recreational boats, which concerns equipping of vessels, equipment and 
vessel operation safety standards. As such, this action is 
categorically excluded under section 2.B.2 and figure 2-1, paragraph 
(34)(d) and (e) of the Instruction and under section 6(a) of the 
``Appendix to National Environmental Policy Act: Coast Guard Procedures 
for Categorical Exclusions, Notice of Final Agency Policy'' (67 FR 
48243, July 23, 2002).

VII. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions. Documents mentioned in this interim rule, and all public 
comments, are in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and 
can be viewed by following that Web site's instructions. Additionally, 
if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will 
be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the 
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal 
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal 
Register (70 FR 15086).

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 183

    Marine safety.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 183 as follows:

PART 183--BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 183 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; and 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II, 
(92)(b). Subpart E is also authorized by Pub. L. 114-120, 130 Stat. 
27.


Sec.  183.41  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  183.41 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the text ``from table 4 of subpart H of 
this part'' and add, in its place, the text ``required by Sec.  
183.75''; and
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2)(ii), remove the text ``shown in table 4 of 
subpart H of this part'' and add, in its place, the text ``required by 
Sec.  183.75''.

0
3. Add subpart E to read as follows:

Subpart E--Flotation and Safe Loading Requirements-Outboard Motor 
and Related Equipment Test Weights


Sec.  183.75  Applicability.

    Manufacturers of vessels to which this subpart applies must use 
test weights that are not less than the recommended weights set forth 
in Table 183.75. Table 183.75 details the weight (in pounds) of 
gasoline outboard engines and related equipment for various rated power 
(horsepower) ranges.


            Table 183.75--Weights (In Pounds) of Gasoline Outboard Engines and Related Equipment for Various Rated Power (Horsepower) Ranges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Single engine installations
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Column number
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        1                              2            3            4            5            6            7            8            9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                Total
                                                                                                                     Battery        Full        weight
         Engine power range (Horsepower)           Dry weight    Running      Swamped     Controls &    Battery       weight      portable     (Sum of
                                                    \1\ \2\     weight \3\   weight \4\  rigging \5\  weight, dry   submerged    fuel tank     columns
                                                                                                                                    \6\        3,5,6,8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.1-2.0.........................................           30           32           27            0            0            0            0           32
2.1-3.9.........................................           42           44           37            0            0            0            0           44
4.0-6.9.........................................           66           69           59            0            0            0           25           94
7.0-10.9........................................          105          110           94            5           20           11           50          185
11.0-22.9.......................................          127          133          113            6           45           25           50          234
23.0-34.9.......................................          187          196          167            9           45           25          100          350
35.0-64.9.......................................          286          300          255           14           45           25          100          459
65.0-94.9.......................................          439          461          392           22           45           25          100          628
95.0-104.9......................................          458          481          409           23           45           25          100          649
105.0-144.9.....................................          526          552          469           26           45           25          100          723
145.0-194.9.....................................          561          589          501           28           45           25          100          762
195.0-209.9.....................................          652          685          582           33           45           25          100          863
210.0-300.0.....................................          699          734          624           35           45           25          100          914

[[Page 16522]]

 
300.1-350.0.....................................          884          928          789           44           45           25          100        1,117
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Dry weight is the manufacturer's published weight for the shortest midsection increased by 10 percent to account for longer midsections and
  additional required hardware usually not included in published weights. This weight is intended to represent the heaviest model in each power
  category. For boats designed with a transom height of 20 inches or less, the weight in Column 2 may be reduced by 10 percent. Recalculate Columns 3,
  4, and 9 as appropriate.
\2\ For diesel outboards, replace the value in Column 2 with the manufacturer's published dry weight + 10 percent.
\3\ Running weight is the dry weight plus fluids (including 2-stroke oil) and the heaviest recommended propeller. Calculated as 5 percent of dry weight.
\4\ Swamped weight is 85 percent of running weight.
\5\ Rigging and controls include engine related hardware required to complete the installation (e.g., controls, cables, hydraulic hoses, steering pumps
  and cylinders). Calculated as 5 percent of dry weight.
\6\ If the boat is equipped with a permanent fuel system and is not intended to use a portable tank, the portable fuel tank weight may be omitted.

Sec.  183.220   [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  183.220 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b)(2), remove the text ``shown in Column 6 of Table 
4'' and add, in its place, the text ``shown in Column 9 of Table 
183.75''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the text ``specified in Columns 2 and 4 of 
Table 4 for the swamped weight of the motor and controls and for the 
submerged weight or'' and add, in its place, the text ``specified in 
Columns 4 and 7 of Table 183.75 for the swamped weight of the motor and 
controls and for the submerged weight of[hairsp]''.


Sec.  183.320  [Amended]

0
5. Amend Sec.  183.320 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b)(2), remove the text ``shown in column 6 of Table 
4'' and add, in its place, the text, ``shown in Column 9 of Table 
183.75''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the text ``specified in Column 2 of Table 
4'' and add, in its place, the text ``specified in Column 4 of Table 
183.75''.

Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 183 [Removed]

0
6. Remove Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 183.

    Dated: March 29, 2017.
V.B. Gifford,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-06733 Filed 4-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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