Termination of Radiotelephone Medium Frequency 2182 kHz Watchkeeping, 2187.5 kHz Digital Selective Calling Channel Guard, and 2670 kHz Broadcasts, 42102-42103 [2013-16801]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2013 / Notices
Developing strategies to facilitate the
recovery of the MTS after a
Transportation Security Incident;
Developing and describing the process
to continually evaluate overall port
security by considering consequences
and vulnerabilities, how they may
change over time, and what additional
mitigation strategies can be applied; and
Providing advice to, and assisting the
Captain of the Port in developing and
maintaining the AMS Plan.
The composition of an AMSC, to
include the Boston AMSC and its
subcommittees, is controlled by 33 CFR
103.305. Accordingly, members may be
selected from the Federal, Territorial, or
Tribal government; the State
government and political subdivisions
of the State; local public safety, crisis
management, and emergency response
agencies; law enforcement and security
organizations; maritime industry,
including labor; other port stakeholders
having a special competence in
maritime security; and port stakeholders
affected by security practices and
policies. Also, members of the Boston
AMSC must have at least 5 years of
experience related to maritime or port
security operations.
AMSC Membership
The Boston AMSC has 29 members
who represent Federal, State, local, and
industry stakeholders from
Massachusetts. We are seeking to fill 7
positions with this solicitation.
Applicants may be required to pass an
appropriate security background check
prior to appointment to the committee.
Members’ terms of office will be for 5
years; however, a member is eligible to
serve additional terms of office.
Members will not receive any salary or
other compensation for their service on
an AMSC.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Request for Applications
Those seeking membership are not
required to submit formal applications
to the local Captain of the Port,
however, because we do have an
obligation to ensure that a specific
number of members have the
prerequisite maritime security
experience, we encourage the
submission of resumes highlighting
experience in the maritime and security
industries.
In support of the USCG policy on
gender and ethnic nondiscrimination,
we encourage qualified women and men
of all racial and ethnic groups to apply.
18:53 Jul 12, 2013
[FR Doc. 2013–16802 Filed 7–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG–2013–0521]
AMSC Composition
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Dated: June 21, 2013.
J.C. O’Connor III,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Maritime
Security Coordinator Boston.
Jkt 229001
Termination of Radiotelephone
Medium Frequency 2182 kHz
Watchkeeping, 2187.5 kHz Digital
Selective Calling Channel Guard, and
2670 kHz Broadcasts
ACTION:
Notice.
The United States Coast
Guard is announcing that it will no
longer maintain a watch on 2182 kHz,
will no longer guard the Digital
Selective Calling (DSC) channel 2187.5
kHz, and will no longer transmit Marine
Information Broadcasts on 2670 kHz.
The minimal use of these channels by
mariners for distress and safety coupled
with antenna site deterioration, costly
upkeep, and extensive maintenance
required to support the medium
frequency (MF) system have led to a
Coast Guard decision to terminate the
MF services and direct the public
mariner to use more modern safety and
distress services which can be more
reliably received by the Coast Guard.
DATES: The termination announced in
this notice is effective on August 1,
2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions on this Notice, contact Larry
S. Solomon, Spectrum Management and
Telecommunications Policy Counsel
(Commandant CG–652) telephone: 202–
475–3556; email:
larry.s.solomon@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
frequency 2182 kHz (which is in the
frequency band generally referred to as
medium frequency (MF)), was
designated more than 65 years ago at the
International Telecommunications
Union Radio Conference (Atlantic City,
1947) as an international radiotelephone
distress frequency. Shore stations that
operated in this MF band, and ships
subject to the International Convention
for the Safety of Life at Sea Ch. IV, Reg.
5 (SOLAS) were required to maintain a
watch on this frequency.
Beginning in 1987, the International
Telecommunications Union Radio
Regulations and SOLAS were amended
to incorporate this MF radiotelephone
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
watchkeeping requirement within the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS), an internationally
agreed-upon set of satellite and
terrestrial communications systems
used to increase safety and facilitate the
location and rescue of distressed ships,
boats and aircraft. Under GMDSS, ship
and shore exclusive watchkeeping on
MF 2182 kHz was no longer a
requirement, but instead became only
one of several frequencies available for
distress communications.
No domestic regulations exist
requiring the Coast Guard to provide MF
distress safety watchkeeping services,
although Federal Communications
Commission regulations in 47 CFR Part
80 mandate certain carriage
requirements in order to communicate
in an emergency. SOLAS requires the
Coast Guard to provide, as it deems
practical and necessary, appropriate
shore-based facilities for GMDSS
services including those in the 1.6–4
MHz range (SOLAS). The Coast Guard,
in cooperation with other agencies and
organizations, provides each of the other
five services listed in SOLAS
regulations, including satellite
communications, support for 406 MHz
satellite emergency position-indicating
radio beacons (EPIRBs), VHF
communications through Rescue 21,
high frequency radiocommunications,
and NAVTEX 1 broadcasts of maritime
safety information.
While many countries terminated
2182 kHz watchkeeping from shore
when GMDSS was implemented in
1999, the Coast Guard continued its
watch on this frequency to support
smaller vessels not subject to SOLAS
that operate between approximately 20
and 100 miles from shore.
Advancements in satellite, digital, very
high frequency (VHF), and high
frequency (HF) radio communication
equipment, including satellite service
provider competition, have improved
service and reduced costs of this
equipment causing MF radiotelephone
to become obsolete.
In addition, a detailed review of
several Coast Guard MF sites revealed
significant antenna ground deterioration
and infrastructure support degradation,
leaving the Coast Guard at risk for not
being able to receive or respond to
maritime distress calls on 2182 kHz or
2187.5 kHz, and not being able to
transmit effectively on 2670 kHz. Early
last year, as a result of physical site
surveys, the Coast Guard confirmed the
1 NAVTEX is a broadcast warning system that
delivers navigational warnings, meteorological
warnings and forecasts, and other marine safety
information.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2013 / Notices
significant site deterioration and,
therefore, the unreliability of receiving
MF distress transmissions at many
locations. The Coast Guard provided
notifications of the situation to mariners
using Local Notice to Mariners and
radio broadcasts. The Coast Guard did
not receive any adverse reaction to those
notifications.
The site deterioration, costly upkeep,
and extensive maintenance required to
support this legacy MF system, as well
as the relatively minimal use by
mariners, has led the Coast Guard to
decide to discontinue support of the MF
system. The Coast Guard will
discontinue all watchkeeping and
transmissions on MF channels, namely
the 2182 kHz voice channel, the 2187.5
kHz Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
channel and Marine Information
Broadcasts (MIBs) on 2670 kHz.
Mariners have several increasingly
low cost and commonly available
alternatives to using MF distress and
non-distress channels. Instead of relying
on 2182 kHz voice and 2187.5 kHz DSC,
mariners can tune their existing HF
radios to other GMDSS radiotelephone
distress voice frequencies the Coast
Guard monitors (i.e., 4125, 6215, 8291,
or 12290 kHz voice), use satellite-based
communication for EPIRB and voice
communications, or use HF radios
equipped with DSC. The information in
the 2670 kHz broadcasts (weather
forecasts and warnings, Notice to
Mariners, and urgent marine
information broadcasts) will continue to
be available from other broadcast
sources (e.g., SafetyNet 2, NAVTEX,
VHF) and online. The Coast Guard urges
mariners to use these other alternatives
to the MF channels for distress calls,
DSC calls, and information broadcasts.
Mariners should not need to purchase
any new equipment to make this change
from 2182 kHz to other GMDSS distress
frequencies. Most radiocommunications
equipment carried by vessels is able to
operate in the 2–27.5 MHz range in
addition to the VHF radiotelephone also
carried by ships. While some older
radios may not tune to other
frequencies, these radios are no longer
sold, parts are not available for repairing
them and they are not typically found
on vessels. Therefore, the overwhelming
majority of vessels simply need to tune
their radios from 2182 kHz to another
GMDSS distress frequency (such as
4125, 6215, 8291, or 12290 kHz).
Because VHF frequencies may not be
reliable more than 20 nautical miles
2 SafetyNET is a satellite-based broadcast warning
system that delivers high seas navigational
warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts,
ice reports, and other marine safety information.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:53 Jul 12, 2013
Jkt 229001
from shore, any vessel that operates
more than 20 nautical miles from the
coast should carry
radiocommunications equipment
capable of tuning to distress frequencies
other than VHF to ensure the vessel is
able to make a distress call when
needed.
All vessel owners and operators are
strongly advised to check their
communication equipment regularly to
ensure it is properly installed, operating
and tuned to the most reliable distress
channels. For more information visit the
Coast Guard’s Navigation Center Web
site at www.navcen.uscg.gov.
Authority
This notice is issued under authority
of 14 U.S.C. 93(a)(16) and 5 U.S.C.
552(a).
Dated: July 9, 2013.
Alfredo Mistichelli,
U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of
Information Assurance and Spectrum Policy,
Commandant (CG–65).
[FR Doc. 2013–16801 Filed 7–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Agency Information Collection
Activities: African Growth and
Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for
comments; Extension of an existing
information collection: 1651–0082.
AGENCY:
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) will be submitting the
following information collection request
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act: African Growth and
Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin
(AGOA). This is a proposed extension of
an information collection that was
previously approved. CBP is proposing
that this information collection be
extended with a change to the burden
hours. This document is published to
obtain comments from the public and
affected agencies. This information
collection was previously published in
the Federal Register (78 FR 26650) on
May 7, 2013, allowing for a 60-day
comment period. This notice allows for
an additional 30 days for public
comments. This process is conducted in
accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
42103
Written comments should be
received on or before August 14, 2013
to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on
this information collection to the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget.
Comments should be addressed to the
OMB Desk Officer for U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, Department of
Homeland Security, and sent via
electronic mail to
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed
to (202) 395–5806.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maria Lloyd, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Regulations and Rulings,
Office of International Trade, 90 K
Street NE., 10th Floor, Washington, DC
20229–1177, at 202–325–0369.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP
invites the general public and affected
Federal agencies to submit written
comments and suggestions on proposed
and/or continuing information
collection requests pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104–13). Your comments should
address one of the following four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency/component,
including whether the information will
have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the
agencies/components estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the
collections of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
techniques or other forms of
information.
Title: African Growth and
Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin.
OMB Number: 1651–0082.
Form Number: None.
Abstract: The African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA) was adopted
by the United States with the enactment
of the Trade and Development Act of
2000 (Pub. L. 106–200). The objectives
of AGOA are (1) to provide for extension
of duty-free treatment under the
Generalized System of Preferences
(GSP) to import sensitive articles
normally excluded from GSP duty
treatment, and (2) to provide for the
entry of specific textile and apparel
articles free of duty and free of any
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42102-42103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16801]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2013-0521]
Termination of Radiotelephone Medium Frequency 2182 kHz
Watchkeeping, 2187.5 kHz Digital Selective Calling Channel Guard, and
2670 kHz Broadcasts
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard is announcing that it will no
longer maintain a watch on 2182 kHz, will no longer guard the Digital
Selective Calling (DSC) channel 2187.5 kHz, and will no longer transmit
Marine Information Broadcasts on 2670 kHz. The minimal use of these
channels by mariners for distress and safety coupled with antenna site
deterioration, costly upkeep, and extensive maintenance required to
support the medium frequency (MF) system have led to a Coast Guard
decision to terminate the MF services and direct the public mariner to
use more modern safety and distress services which can be more reliably
received by the Coast Guard.
DATES: The termination announced in this notice is effective on August
1, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this Notice, contact
Larry S. Solomon, Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy
Counsel (Commandant CG-652) telephone: 202-475-3556; email:
larry.s.solomon@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The frequency 2182 kHz (which is in the
frequency band generally referred to as medium frequency (MF)), was
designated more than 65 years ago at the International
Telecommunications Union Radio Conference (Atlantic City, 1947) as an
international radiotelephone distress frequency. Shore stations that
operated in this MF band, and ships subject to the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Ch. IV, Reg. 5 (SOLAS) were
required to maintain a watch on this frequency.
Beginning in 1987, the International Telecommunications Union Radio
Regulations and SOLAS were amended to incorporate this MF
radiotelephone watchkeeping requirement within the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), an internationally agreed-upon set
of satellite and terrestrial communications systems used to increase
safety and facilitate the location and rescue of distressed ships,
boats and aircraft. Under GMDSS, ship and shore exclusive watchkeeping
on MF 2182 kHz was no longer a requirement, but instead became only one
of several frequencies available for distress communications.
No domestic regulations exist requiring the Coast Guard to provide
MF distress safety watchkeeping services, although Federal
Communications Commission regulations in 47 CFR Part 80 mandate certain
carriage requirements in order to communicate in an emergency. SOLAS
requires the Coast Guard to provide, as it deems practical and
necessary, appropriate shore-based facilities for GMDSS services
including those in the 1.6-4 MHz range (SOLAS). The Coast Guard, in
cooperation with other agencies and organizations, provides each of the
other five services listed in SOLAS regulations, including satellite
communications, support for 406 MHz satellite emergency position-
indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), VHF communications through Rescue
21, high frequency radiocommunications, and NAVTEX \1\ broadcasts of
maritime safety information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NAVTEX is a broadcast warning system that delivers
navigational warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts, and
other marine safety information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
While many countries terminated 2182 kHz watchkeeping from shore
when GMDSS was implemented in 1999, the Coast Guard continued its watch
on this frequency to support smaller vessels not subject to SOLAS that
operate between approximately 20 and 100 miles from shore. Advancements
in satellite, digital, very high frequency (VHF), and high frequency
(HF) radio communication equipment, including satellite service
provider competition, have improved service and reduced costs of this
equipment causing MF radiotelephone to become obsolete.
In addition, a detailed review of several Coast Guard MF sites
revealed significant antenna ground deterioration and infrastructure
support degradation, leaving the Coast Guard at risk for not being able
to receive or respond to maritime distress calls on 2182 kHz or 2187.5
kHz, and not being able to transmit effectively on 2670 kHz. Early last
year, as a result of physical site surveys, the Coast Guard confirmed
the
[[Page 42103]]
significant site deterioration and, therefore, the unreliability of
receiving MF distress transmissions at many locations. The Coast Guard
provided notifications of the situation to mariners using Local Notice
to Mariners and radio broadcasts. The Coast Guard did not receive any
adverse reaction to those notifications.
The site deterioration, costly upkeep, and extensive maintenance
required to support this legacy MF system, as well as the relatively
minimal use by mariners, has led the Coast Guard to decide to
discontinue support of the MF system. The Coast Guard will discontinue
all watchkeeping and transmissions on MF channels, namely the 2182 kHz
voice channel, the 2187.5 kHz Digital Selective Calling (DSC) channel
and Marine Information Broadcasts (MIBs) on 2670 kHz.
Mariners have several increasingly low cost and commonly available
alternatives to using MF distress and non-distress channels. Instead of
relying on 2182 kHz voice and 2187.5 kHz DSC, mariners can tune their
existing HF radios to other GMDSS radiotelephone distress voice
frequencies the Coast Guard monitors (i.e., 4125, 6215, 8291, or 12290
kHz voice), use satellite-based communication for EPIRB and voice
communications, or use HF radios equipped with DSC. The information in
the 2670 kHz broadcasts (weather forecasts and warnings, Notice to
Mariners, and urgent marine information broadcasts) will continue to be
available from other broadcast sources (e.g., SafetyNet \2\, NAVTEX,
VHF) and online. The Coast Guard urges mariners to use these other
alternatives to the MF channels for distress calls, DSC calls, and
information broadcasts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ SafetyNET is a satellite-based broadcast warning system that
delivers high seas navigational warnings, meteorological warnings
and forecasts, ice reports, and other marine safety information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mariners should not need to purchase any new equipment to make this
change from 2182 kHz to other GMDSS distress frequencies. Most
radiocommunications equipment carried by vessels is able to operate in
the 2-27.5 MHz range in addition to the VHF radiotelephone also carried
by ships. While some older radios may not tune to other frequencies,
these radios are no longer sold, parts are not available for repairing
them and they are not typically found on vessels. Therefore, the
overwhelming majority of vessels simply need to tune their radios from
2182 kHz to another GMDSS distress frequency (such as 4125, 6215, 8291,
or 12290 kHz). Because VHF frequencies may not be reliable more than 20
nautical miles from shore, any vessel that operates more than 20
nautical miles from the coast should carry radiocommunications
equipment capable of tuning to distress frequencies other than VHF to
ensure the vessel is able to make a distress call when needed.
All vessel owners and operators are strongly advised to check their
communication equipment regularly to ensure it is properly installed,
operating and tuned to the most reliable distress channels. For more
information visit the Coast Guard's Navigation Center Web site at
www.navcen.uscg.gov.
Authority
This notice is issued under authority of 14 U.S.C. 93(a)(16) and 5
U.S.C. 552(a).
Dated: July 9, 2013.
Alfredo Mistichelli,
U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Information Assurance and
Spectrum Policy, Commandant (CG-65).
[FR Doc. 2013-16801 Filed 7-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
