Marine Casualty Reporting Property Damage Thresholds, 7755-7766 [2017-01323]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules an appointment or to request copies of comments or other materials. Regulatory Flexibility Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, and Executive Order 12866 Since the regulatory text proposed in this notice of proposed rulemaking is identical to that contained in the companion temporary rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, the analyses contained in the preamble of the temporary rule concerning the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and Executive Order 12866 also apply to this proposed rule. Drafting Information Dana Register and Kara Fontaine of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted this document with the assistance of other Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau personnel. List of Subjects 27 CFR Part 24 Administrative practice and procedure, Cider, Claims, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food additives, Fruit juices, Hard Cider, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research, Scientific equipment, Spices and flavorings, Surety bonds, Vinegar, Warehouses, Wine. 27 CFR Part 27 Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Beer, Cosmetics, Customs duties and inspections, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and Recordkeeping requirements, Wine. Proposed Amendments to the Regulations Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 19 U.S.C. 81c, 1202; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5007, 5008, 5010, 5041, 5051, 5054, 5061, 5121, 5122–5124, 5201, 5205, 5207, 5232, 5273, 5301, 5313, 5382, 5555, 6109, 7805. 4. [The proposed amendatory instructions and the proposed regulatory text for part 27 are the same as the amendatory instructions and the amendatory regulatory text set forth in the temporary rule on this subject published in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register]. ■ Signed: December 7, 2016. John J. Manfreda, Administrator. Approved: January 4, 2017. Timothy E. Skud, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade and Tariff Policy). [FR Doc. 2017–00334 Filed 1–19–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–31–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 46 CFR Part 4 [Docket No. USCG–2016–0748] Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard proposes to amend the monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty, and for reporting a type of marine casualty called a ‘‘serious marine incident’’ (SMI). The initial regulations setting these dollar threshold amounts were promulgated in the early1980s and they have not been updated. Because the monetary thresholds for reporting have not kept pace with inflation, relatively minor casualties must be reported. Additionally, the regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing SUMMARY: 1. The authority citation for part 24 continues to read as follows: ■ mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS 3. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows: ■ Marine Casualty Reporting Property Damage Thresholds PART 24—WINE Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5008, 5041, 5042, 5044, 5061, 5062, 5121, 5122–5124, 5173, 5206, 5214, 5215, 5351, 5353, 5354, 5356, 5357, 5361, 5362, 5364– 5373, 5381–5388, 5391, 5392, 5511, 5551, 5552, 5661, 5662, 5684, 6065, 6091, 6109, 6301, 6302, 6311, 6651, 6676, 7302, 7342, 7502, 7503, 7606, 7805, 7851; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 9304, 9306. 2. [The proposed amendatory instructions and the proposed regulatory text for part 24 are the same ■ 19:13 Jan 19, 2017 PART 27—IMPORTATION OF DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER RIN 1625–AC33 For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB proposes to amend 27 CFR chapter I, parts 24 and 27 as follows: VerDate Sep<11>2014 as the amendatory instructions and the amendatory regulatory text set forth in the temporary rule on this subject published in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register]. Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 7755 following an SMI; consequently, testing is being conducted for casualties that are less significant than those intended to be captured by the original regulations. Updating the regulations will reduce the burden on vessel owners and operators, and will also reduce the amount of Coast Guard resources expended to investigate these incidents. DATES: 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 March 24, 2017. Comments sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on collection of information must reach OMB on or before March 24, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit comments using one of the listed methods, and see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on public comments. Collection of information. You must submit any comments on the collection of information discussed in Section IV of this preamble both to the Coast Guard’s docket and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the White House Office of Management and Budget. OIRA submissions can use one of the listed methods. • Email (preferred)—oira_ submission@omb.eop.gov (include the docket number and ‘‘Attention: Desk Officer for Coast Guard, DHS’’ in the subject line of the email). • Fax—202–395–6566. • Mail—Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, call or email CDR Randy Waddington, CG–INV, Coast Guard; telephone 202–372–1029, email HQS-PF-fldr-CG-INV@ uscg.dhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents for Preamble I. Public Participation and Request for Comments II. Abbreviations III. Background, Basis, and Purpose IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule V. Regulatory Analyses A. Regulatory Planning and Review 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 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7756 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules SMI Serious marine incident § Section symbol U.S.C. United States Code K. Energy Effects L. Technical Standards M. Environment I. Public Participation and Request for Comments We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, and we 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 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), 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). We are not planning to hold a public meeting but will consider doing so if public comments indicate a meeting would be helpful. We would issue a separate Federal Register notice to announce the date, time, and location of such a meeting. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS II. Abbreviations BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics CFR Code of Federal Regulations CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers DHS Department of Homeland Security E.O. Executive Order FR Federal Register MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement NVIC Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular OCMI Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection OMB Office of Management and Budget VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 III. Background, Basis, and Purpose Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 6101, the Coast Guard is required to prescribe regulations on marine casualty reporting and the manner of reporting. Based on this authority, we promulgated regulations in part 4 of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that included, among other criteria, monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a ‘‘serious marine incident’’ 1 and for reporting a marine casualty.2 The original regulations setting these property damage threshold amounts were promulgated in the 1980s and they have not since been updated. In this NPRM, the Coast Guard proposes to update the dollar threshold amounts for property damage in 46 CFR 4.03– 2(a)(3) and 4.05–1(a)(7) to account for inflation. In 2013 through 2014, Coast Guard undertook a review of marine casualty reporting requirements during our development of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01–15, resulting in a Federal Register notice 3 requesting public comment on the draft NVIC 01–15. Several commenters from industry and the public noted that property damage threshold amounts for reported marine casualties and serious marine incidents (SMIs) had not been updated to reflect inflation and supported an inflation adjustment to the thresholds. Furthermore, in response to a task to examine the Coast Guard’s marine casualty reporting requirements, the Coast Guard’s Towing Vessel Safety Advisory Committee recommended that we amend the monetary thresholds in 46 CFR part 4 to account for inflation.4 There is Coast Guard and stakeholder consensus that the early 1980s property damage monetary threshold amounts listed in 46 CFR 4.03–2 and 4.05–1 have not kept pace with inflation. Over time, this has resulted in the reporting of a greater number casualties involving relatively minor property damage. As was explained in the 1980 interim final rule, ‘‘the Coast Guard’s selection of a monetary value as a reporting criterion is based upon the premise that increased repair costs are indicative of the increased seriousness of a marine casualty [. . .] The monetary damage criterion has been chosen as the most 1 46 CFR 4.03–2. CFR 4.05–1. 3 79 FR 2466 (January 14, 2014). 4 Towing Safety Advisory Committee, Task 13– 09, Recommendations for Improvement of Marine Casualty Reporting Final Report. This report is accessible at https://homeport.uscg.mil/tsac. 2 46 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 effective method of ensuring that only the more serious casualties are reported.’’ (45 FR 77439, 77440). Accordingly, it has never been our intent to require owners or operators to notify us of casualties involving relatively minor property damage; consequently, we are amending the property damage monetary threshold amounts in order to eliminate the reporting of insignificant property damage incidents. The marine casualty reports impacted by this NPRM are those marine casualties where the only outcome was property damage in the amount of $25,000.01 through $72,000. Additionally, because the regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing following an SMI, current regulations require chemical testing for casualties that reach a minimum threshold of $100,000 in property damage. Due to cost increases caused by inflation, however, casualties that result in property damage between $100,000 and $200,000 are no longer representative of a ‘‘serious’’ casualty. The lack of inflation updates to our marine casualty regulations has resulted in an additional administrative and financial burden on vessel owners and operators, as well as on Coast Guard resources used to investigate these incidents. This NPRM would result in an estimated annual cost savings of $40,809 to industry due to a reduction in the hourly burden of reporting and recordkeeping for both marine casualties and SMIs, and a reduction in an estimated annual cost savings of $4,649 for chemical testing for marine casualties designated as SMIs. This NPRM would result in Coast Guard cost savings by reducing the hourly burden costs to investigate marine casualties as well as the costs associated with processing marine casualty forms. As a result of updating the dollar amount thresholds to account for inflation, we anticipate there would be a decrease in the number of commercial vessel casualties reported to the Coast Guard. The changes proposed by this NPRM would also likely decrease the number of casualties that fall within the current definition of an SMI, and thereby reduce the amount of chemical tests administered following an SMI that result in property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000. However mandatory chemical testing would still be required if the property damage meets the revised dollar threshold amount (in excess of $200,000) proposed by this NPRM. The intent of setting a dollar amount threshold in our marine casualty reporting regulation and within the definition of ‘‘serious E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules marine incident’’ is to ensure that the Coast Guard is aware of those incidents that could be indicative of more serious problems and that may be averted in the future with timely intervention. These proposed changes would provide a benefit for both the marine industry and the Coast Guard because they would reduce the hourly burden or eliminate the marine casualty reporting requirements for incidents involving property damage between the existing and proposed thresholds, and reduce SMI chemical testing requirements for incidents involving property damage in the range of $100,000 through $200,000. As a result, the marine industry and Coast Guard resources would be able to focus efforts on higher consequence incidents. IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule The Coast Guard proposes to amend 46 CFR 4.03–2 and 4.05–1. The proposed changes would replace the existing reportable marine casualty property damage threshold amount of $25,000 with $72,000 in 46 CFR part 4.05–1(a) (7), and replace the SMI property damage threshold of $100,000 with $200,000 in 46 CFR part 4.03–2(a) (3). These threshold amounts are being updated to account for inflation. The Coast Guard determined the inflation adjustment factor using the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI–U) from the original dollar thresholds set in 1980 for marine casualty property damage and 1988 for SMI property damage. The CPI–U is calculated and published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 and uses the period of 1982 to 1984 as the base level where the CPI–U = 100. We calculated the inflation adjustment by comparing the average CPI–U for the base years (82.408 in 1980 and 118.258 in 1988) with the average CPI–U for 2015 (237.017). This resulted in an inflation adjustment factor of 1.876 6 for the marine casualty dollar threshold and a factor of 1.004 7 for the SMI dollar threshold. For the marine casualty reporting threshold, we multiplied the inflation adjustment factor of 1.876 by the current threshold of $25,000 to calculate the raw inflation increment of $46,900, resulting in a total revised threshold of $72,000 (25,000 + $46,900 rounded to the nearest thousand). For the SMI dollar threshold, we multiplied the inflation adjustment factor of 1.004 by the current threshold of $100,000 to calculate the raw inflation increment of $100,400, resulting in a total revised threshold of $200,000 (100,000 + $100,400 rounded to the nearest thousand). V. Regulatory Analyses We developed this NPRM 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 7757 (‘‘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. This NPRM has not been designated a ‘‘significant regulatory action,’’ under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This Regulatory Analysis provides an evaluation of the economic impacts associated with this NPRM. The Coast Guard proposes to amend two sections in part 4 of Title 46 of the CFR, 46 CFR 4.03–2 and 4.05–1. Under this NPRM, the Coast Guard proposes to replace the reportable marine casualty dollar threshold of $25,000 with $72,000 in 46 CFR part 4.05–1(a) (7), and replace the SMI dollar threshold of $100,000 with $200,000 in 46 CFR part 4.03–2(a) (3) to update the thresholds to account for inflation, as discussed in Section IV of this NPRM. Table 1 provides a summary of the affected population, costs, and benefits after implementation of this NPRM. TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF THE IMPACTS OF THE NPRM Category Summary Applicability ............................................. Replace the reportable marine casualty dollar threshold of $25,000 with $72,000. Replace the SMI dollar threshold of $100,000 with $200,000. Owners, agents, masters, operators, or persons in charge involved in a marine casualty and crewmembers who are required to undergo chemical testing. Annual average of 316 vessel owners, operators, or their representatives reporting a marine casualty, 21 marine employers reporting an SMI, and average of 32 vessel crewmembers completing chemical testing would no longer be required to report these incidents to the Coast Guard. No quantitative costs. $45,458 annualized and $319,281 10-year present value monetized industry benefits (cost savings) (7% discount rate). $637,688 annualized and $4,478,854 10-year present value monetized Government benefits (cost savings) (7% discount rate). Total of industry and Government benefits: $683,146 annualized and $4,798,134 10-year present value monetized combined benefits (cost savings) (7% discount rate). Affected Population ................................. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Costs ....................................................... Benefits ................................................... Affected Population We expect that this NPRM would affect the owners, agents, masters, operators, or persons in charge of a commercial vessel who, pursuant to 46 5 CPI Detailed Report December 2015, Table 24. https://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpid1512.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 CFR 4.05–1, are required to notify the nearest Sector Office whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty. Specifically, the proposed regulations in this NPRM would affect those 6 (237.017 PO 00000 – 82.408)/82.408 = 1.876. Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 individuals who would have completed the necessary forms (CG–2692 series) to report a marine casualty where the only outcome was property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000, or an SMI 7 (237.017 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM – 118.258)/118.258 = 1.004. 23JAP1 7758 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS with property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000 (CG–2692 series, supplemented with an appended SMI written report (CG–2692B).8 We used incident investigation data from the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) system from 2012 through 2014 9 to estimate the average number of vessel crewmembers affected by this NPRM. From 2012 through 2014, we found there was an average of 5,967 reports of a marine casualty per year, with one individual per vessel who we assume to be a vessel crewmember completing each report. An average of 271, or 4.5 percent of the annual 5,967 marine casualty reports, involved an SMI. Of the 5,967 marine casualty reports, approximately 5.3 percent were for a reportable marine casualty where the only outcome was property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000. Therefore, we expect that an average of approximately 316 fewer reports of marine casualties would be required per year. Vessel owners and operators would benefit from a reduction in the time burden associated with a crewmember no longer having to prepare and submit the required marine casualty reporting paperwork. Of the 271 casualty reports that involved an SMI, approximately 7.9 percent (21 out of 271) were ones in which the sole outcome of the SMI was property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000. Based on that annual average, the amendments proposed in this NPRM would likely result in a reduction of about 21 SMI written reports (CG– 2692B) per year due to the proposed change to the monetary threshold amount for an SMI involving property damage. Because property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000 exceeds the threshold for a reportable marine casualty, the forms for a marine casualty report (CG–2692 series) would still need to be completed. However, marine employers would no longer be required to complete the additional paperwork required for an SMI written report (CG– 2692B). Consequently, marine employers would benefit from a reduction in the time burden associated with an SMI written report (CG–2692B) as well as cost savings associated with chemical savings. 8 ‘‘Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident.’’ See, 46 CFR 4.05–10. 9 This 3-year time period was used to be consistent with the existing Collection of Information, entitled ‘‘Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel,’’ which has OMB Control Number 1625–0001. 10 Existing Collection of Information, ‘‘Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel’’, OMB Control Number 1625– 0001, Docket Number USCG–2015–0910, can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2015/10/23/2015-27019/informationcollection-request-to-office-of-management-andbudget-omb-control-number-1625-0001. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 Benefits or Cost Savings to Industry The benefit or cost savings to industry is the difference between the current baseline cost to industry and the cost to industry after implementation of this NPRM. Current Reporting Cost to Industry for CG–2692 and CG–2692B To estimate the benefit to industry, we first estimate the current cost to industry. The cost to industry includes costs for reporting and recordkeeping for a reportable marine casualty and the costs for chemical testing for marine casualties designated as SMIs. The reporting and recordkeeping costs for marine casualties include the time to complete the forms (CG–2692 series) for a marine casualty, the time for approximately 10 percent of the forms to be internally reviewed before submission, and the time to complete the additional SMI written report (CG– 2692B) pursuant to 46 CFR 4.06–60(a) if a marine casualty is designated as an SMI. The time estimates and wage rates for reporting and recordkeeping are taken from the existing Collection of Information, entitled ‘‘Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel,’’ which has OMB Control Number 1625–0001.10 We use the same time estimates and wage rates in this analysis to maintain consistency and to capture the changes due to this NPRM. An average of 5,967 marine casualty reports are submitted annually by vessel owners or operators. For each reportable marine casualty, the existing Collection of Information estimates that it takes about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to complete the necessary forms (CG– 2692 series). The existing Collection of Information also estimates that the position of vessel crewmember is analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS–03. The fully loaded wage rate for a GS–03 is $26 per hour, according to Commandant PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Instruction 7310.1P, ‘‘Reimbursable Standard Rates.’’ 11 The annual baseline cost to complete the current 5,967 CG– 2692 series forms would be $155,142 (5,967 marine casualty reports × $26). We estimate that it takes, on average, 1 hour to complete the CG–2692 series forms. However, we received public comments in 2011 on existing COI number 1625–0001 stating that completing the CG–2692 form takes more than one hour and one commenter stated that it can take up to 8 to 12 hours to complete the form.12 The reason for this difference is that some entities choose to have the forms reviewed by shore-side personnel, such as an attorney prior to submission to the Coast Guard. We adjusted our burden estimate to account for the additional layer of review. To account for this additional time, 10 percent of the forms submitted would have 10 hours of additional burden. The additional time reflects internal review by individuals employed by the owner or operator in addition to the vessel crewmember who completes the form. The additional reviewers may be shoreside representatives, port engineers, and attorneys, among others. We estimate the wage rate for this added review is done by personnel analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS–14. The fully loaded wage rate for a GS–14 is $101 per hour, per Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. The total annual cost of this additional time is $602,970 (597 marine casualty reports × 10 additional burden hours × $101). When a marine casualty is designated as an SMI, the marine employer must also complete an SMI written report (CG–2692B). (See 46 CFR 4.06–60.) We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a marine employer analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS–03 to complete this form. The annual cost to complete an SMI written report (CG–2692B) is about $3,523 (271 SMI reports × 0.5 hours × $26 per hour wage rate). Table 2 shows a summary of the current industry costs for reporting and recordkeeping. 11 Out of Government Rate for GS–03. Hourly Rates for Personnel ($), Enclosure (2) to Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. We use this version to maintain consistency with the existing COI 1625–0001. 12 Docket ID: USCG–2011–0710. Comments can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=USCG-2011-0710. E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7759 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 2—CURRENT ANNUAL INDUSTRY COSTS FOR REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING Crewmembers/ responses Requirement Burden hours per response Annual hour burden Wage rate Annual cost burden Written report of marine casualty ....................................... Additional Burden for 10% of Respondents ....................... SMI written report ............................................................... 5,967 597 271 1 10 0.5 5,967 5,970 136 $26 101 26 $155,142 602,970 3,523 Totals ........................................................................... ......................... ........................ 12,073 ........................ 761,635 * Estimates may not sum due to independent rounding. As mentioned earlier in this NPRM, when a marine casualty is designated as an SMI, the crewmembers involved are required to take a chemical test pursuant to 46 CFR 4.06–3. The marine employer incurs costs for the actual costs of the chemical test and the time it takes for a crewmember to take the chemical test. The actual cost of the chemical test includes the costs of the chemical test collection kits, collector fees, Coast Guard alcohol-testing swabs, and costs of overnight mailing. These costs can vary, but on average, the actual chemical test costs approximately $100 per test.13 Each vessel crewmember involved in an SMI is required to take a chemical test. The number of vessel crewmembers required to take a chemical test can vary depending on the circumstances of the SMI. We analyzed the casualty reports that involved an SMI from MISLE and found an average of 1.5 crewmembers per SMI were required to take a chemical test. We used an estimate of 1.5 crewmembers to estimate the costs of chemical testing to account for the variation in crewmembers involved in SMIs. With an average of 271 SMIs per year, the current annual cost for the actual chemical tests is $40,650 (271 SMIs × average of 1.5 crewmembers × $100 per test). In addition to the cost of the chemical tests, there is a cost associated with the time it takes a vessel crewmember to complete the chemical test. We estimate that it takes 1 hour for a crewmember to complete the chemical test.14 We obtained the wage rate of the crewmember from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using Occupational Series 53–5000, Water Transportation Workers (May 2015). The BLS reports that the mean hourly wage rate for a water transportation worker is $31.11.15 To account for employee benefits, we use a load factor of 1.53, which we calculated from 2016 first quarter BLS data.16 The loaded wage for a crewmember is estimated at $47.60 ($31.11 wage rate × 1.53 load factor). The cost of the time for a crewmember to take the chemical test is $19,349 (271 SMIs × average of 1.5 crewmembers × 1 hour burden × $47.60 wage rate). Therefore, the current annual cost to industry for chemical testing is $59,999 (see Table 3). Adding the costs for chemical testing of $59,999 to the cost for reporting and recordkeeping of $761,635 (see Table 2), brings the current total annual cost to industry to $821,634. TABLE 3—CURRENT ANNUAL INDUSTRY COSTS FOR CHEMICAL TESTING Average crewmembers tested per SMI SMIs per year 271 ....................................................................................... Total Reporting Costs to Industry After Implementation of the NPRM mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Increasing the dollar threshold amount for a reportable marine casualty involving property damage, as well as the dollar threshold amount for property damage within the definition of a ‘‘serious marine incident,’’ would reduce the number of marine casualty responses by 5.3 percent, and the number of SMIs by 7.9 percent, annually. The burden hours per response would remain the same, but we estimate that the total number of responses would decrease to 5,651 for 13 Most marine employers use a consortium that simplifies and reduces the costs per test and also assists in managing a company’s drug-testing program. There are variables associated with the cost of testing, as costs can vary depending on the number of personnel included in a plan and the type of testing plan adopted by a particular company. Based on discussions with industry and Coast Guard medical testing contract data that is not publically available, we estimated testing costs of VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 Cost of testing procedures 1.5 Hours to take test $100 Wage rate 1 $47.60 Total cost of testing procedures $59,999 marine casualties and 250 for SMIs, resulting in 316 fewer reported marine casualties and 21 fewer SMIs. The following sections replicate the calculation of marine casualty reporting and chemical testing, but reflect the reduced number of reports and testing under the revised thresholds. For each reportable marine casualty, we estimate that it takes about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to complete all parts of the necessary forms at a wage rate of $26. We estimate that the cost to complete the reduced number of marine casualty forms would be $146,926 (5,651 marine casualty reports × $26). In addition to the time to complete the forms, some of the marine casualty forms would require additional processing time. The additional processing time reflects internal review by individuals employed by the owner or operator, in addition to the time needed by the vessel crewmember who completes the form. The additional reviewers may be shoreside representatives, port engineers, or attorneys, among others. To account for $79 and $114. We are, therefore, using an average cost of $100 for this analysis [($79+$114)/2, rounded]. 14 Hourly estimate is from Coast Guard subject matter experts, and takes into account that these are not planned tests, but instead are emergent tests— required as a result of accidents—that must be taken no later than 32 hours after the incident. 15 Mean wage, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2015/may/ oes_nat.htm 16 Employer Costs for Employee Compensation provides information on the employer compensation and can be found at https:// data.bls.gov/data/. The loaded wage factor is equal to the total compensation of $27.61 divided by the wages and salary of $18.05. Values for the total compensation and wages and salary are for all private industry workers in the transportation and material moving occupations, 2016 1st quarter. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7760 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules this time, 10 percent 17 of the forms submitted (565 forms) would have 10 hours of additional burden, and the wage rate for this added review would be done by personnel analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS–14. We estimate that the total cost of this additional time after the implementation of this NPRM would be $570,650 (565 marine casualty reports × 10 additional burden hours × $101). As mentioned earlier in this NPRM, when a marine casualty is designated as an SMI, the marine employer must complete an SMI written report (CG– 2692B). We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a marine employer analogous to a government employee at a grade level of a GS–03 to complete this form.18 We estimate that the cost to complete the additional forms for an SMI after implementation of this NPRM would be $3,250 (250 SMI reports × 0.5 hours × $26 per hour wage rate). Table 4 shows a summary of the industry costs after implementation of this NPRM. TABLE 4—ANNUAL INDUSTRY COSTS FOR REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING WITH REVISED REPORTING THRESHOLDS Crewmembers/ responses Requirement Burden hours per response Annual hour burden Wage rate Annual cost burden Written report of marine casualty ....................................... Additional Burden for 10% of Respondents ....................... SMI written report ............................................................... 5,651 565 250 1 10 0.5 5,651 5,650 125 $26 101 26 $146,926 570,650 3,250 Totals ........................................................................... ......................... ........................ 11,426 ........................ 720,826 Note: Estimates may not sum due to independent rounding. The marine employer incurs the actual costs of the chemical test as well as the wage burden it takes for a crewmember to complete the chemical test. On average, each chemical test costs approximately $100. We use an estimate of 1.5 crewmembers to estimate the costs of chemical testing to account for the variation in crewmembers involved in SMIs. With an average of 250 SMIs per year, the annual cost after implementation of this NPRM for the actual chemical tests is $37,500 (250 SMIs × average of 1.5 crewmembers × $100 per test). In addition to the cost of the chemical tests, there is a cost associated with the time it takes a vessel crewmember to complete the chemical test. We estimate that it takes 1 hour for a crewmember to complete the chemical test at a loaded wage rate of $47.60 per hour. We estimate that the cost of the time for a crewmember to take the chemical test under the NPRM would be $17,850 (250 SMIs × average of 1.5 crewmembers × 1 hour burden × $47.60 wage rate). Therefore, the annual cost to industry for chemical testing after implementation of this NPRM would be $55,350 (see Table 5). Adding the costs for chemical testing of $55,350 to the cost for reporting and recordkeeping of $720,826 (see Table 4) brings the estimated total annual cost to industry to $776,176, if this NPRM is implemented. TABLE 5—ANNUAL INDUSTRY COSTS FOR CHEMICAL TESTING AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPRM Average Crewmembers tested per SMI SMIs per year Cost of testing procedures 1.5 $100 250 ....................................................................................... The current annual burden of reporting marine casualties and SMIs under the current dollar amount thresholds is $821,634. The annual burden of reporting under the proposed new thresholds would be $776,176. Therefore, we estimate that the annual cost savings or benefit to industry after implementation of this NPRM would be $45,458. Table 6 shows a summary of Hours to take test 1 Wage Rate $47.60 Total cost of testing procedures $55,350 the annual current industry cost burden, the annual industry cost burden after implementation of the NPRM, and the annual cost savings resulting from implementation of this NPRM. TABLE 6—TOTAL ANNUAL COST SAVINGS TO INDUSTRY BY REQUIREMENT AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPRM Current annual industry cost burden mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Requirement Annual industry cost burden after implementation of NPRM Annual industry cost savings after implementation of NPRM Written report of marine casualty ................................................................................................ Additional burden for 10% of respondents .................................................................................. SMI written report ........................................................................................................................ Testing procedures ...................................................................................................................... $155,142 602,970 3,523 59,999 $146,926 570,650 3,250 55,350 $8,216 32,320 273 4,649 Total ...................................................................................................................................... 821,634 776,176 45,458 17 Docket ID: USCG–2011–0710, https:// www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-2011-0710. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 18 The wage rate for a marine employer to complete the form CG–2692B and to report PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 chemical test results to the OCMI is taken from existing COI number 1625–0001. E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7761 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules The total 10-year undiscounted industry cost savings of this NPRM would be $454,584. Table 7 shows the 10-year estimated discounted cost savings to industry to be about $319,281 with an annualized cost savings of approximately $45,458 using a 7percent discount rate. TABLE 7—TOTAL ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS OR INDUSTRY BENEFITS OF THE NPRM OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS [Discounted Costs at 7 and 3 Percent] Total undiscounted costs Year Total, discounted 7% 3% 1 ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................... 3 ................................................................................................................................................... 4 ................................................................................................................................................... 5 ................................................................................................................................................... 6 ................................................................................................................................................... 7 ................................................................................................................................................... 8 ................................................................................................................................................... 9 ................................................................................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................................................................................. $45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 45,458 $42,484 39,705 37,108 34,680 32,411 30,291 28,309 26,457 24,726 23,109 $44,134 42,849 41,601 40,389 39,213 38,071 36,962 35,885 34,840 33,825 Total ...................................................................................................................................... Annualized ............................................................................................................................ 454,584 ........................ 319,281 45,458 387,769 45,458 Benefits or Cost Savings to Government The benefit to the Federal Government is the difference between the baseline current cost to the Coast Guard and the cost to the Coast Guard after implementation of this NPRM. Current Costs to Government We first estimated the current costs to the Coast Guard, which include the cost to investigate a marine casualty and the cost of processing marine casualty forms. Because an SMI is a type of marine casualty, the estimate for the cost of the investigation and the processing of the casualty forms includes those incidents that constitute an SMI. Reportable marine casualties are investigated by the Coast Guard. Some investigations may be more complex than others, depending on the incident. The Coast Guard reviewed the CG–741 (Coast Guard Office of Shore Forces) Sector Staffing Model to marine casualty reports per year. To maintain consistency and capture the changes to this NPRM, the time estimates and wage rates for processing the forms are taken from the existing COI 1625–0001. For each reportable marine casualty, we estimate that it takes about 1 hour by a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG; O–2) to process the forms (CG–2692 series), including auditing at a local field investigation office and the entry of pertinent information into Coast Guard’s MISLE system. The fully loaded wage rate for an O–2 is $68 per hour, per Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. As shown in Table 8, the current annual cost for the Coast Guard to process reportable marine casualties is $405,756 (5,967 reportable marine casualties × 1 burden hour × $68 wage rate). We estimate that the total current annual cost to the Federal Government would be $12,041,406. estimate the average number of hours per investigation across all incident types. The Sector Staffing Mode assigns a total hourly effort for the type of incident (e.g., allision, grounding, collision) that is matched against MISLE data, which then provides the resource needs for each sector. The Coast Guard estimates that, across all types of incidents, these investigations take an average of 25 hours for a Lieutenant (LT; O–3) to complete. There is an average of 5,967 marine casualty cases per year. The fully loaded wage rate for an O–3 is $78 per hour, per Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. As shown in Table 8, the current annual cost of investigations is $11,635,650 (5,967 reportable marine casualties × 25 burden hours × $78 wage rate). The Coast Guard must process the forms submitted for each reportable marine casualty. The Coast Guard currently processes an average of 5,967 TABLE 8—CURRENT ANNUAL GOVERNMENT COSTS Reportable marine casualties Cost category Burden hours per response Annual hours Wage rate Annual cost 5,967 5,967 25 1 149,175 5,967 $78 68 $11,635,650 405,756 Total .............................................................................. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Investigation ......................................................................... Processing marine casualty reports .................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 12,041,406 Under this NPRM, increasing the dollar amount threshold for property damage would reduce the number of reportable marine casualties by 5.3 percent, resulting in 316 fewer reportable marine casualties. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 burden hours per response for investigations and processing marine casualty reports would remain the same, but the average number of reportable marine casualties would decrease to 5,651 per year. We estimate that it takes PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 an average of 25 hours for an O–3 to complete and investigate and about 1 hour for an O–2 to process the forms for each reportable marine casualty. As shown in Table 9, the annual cost for the Coast Guard to complete E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7762 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules investigations under the NPRM would be approximately $11,019,450 (5,651 reportable marine casualties × 25 hour burden × $78). The annual cost to process reportable marine casualties after implementation of this NPRM would be approximately $384,268 (5,651 reportable marine casualties × 1 hour burden × $68). We estimate that the total annual cost to the Federal Government would be approximately $11,403,718 after implementation of this NPRM. TABLE 9—ESTIMATED ANNUAL GOVERNMENT COSTS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPRM Reportable marine casualties Cost category Burden hours per response Annual hours Wage rate Annual cost Investigation ......................................................................... Processing marine casualty report ...................................... 5,651 5,651 25 1 141,275 5,651 $78 68 $11,019,450 384,268 Total .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ 11,403,718 The current annual cost to the Coast Guard to process marine casualty reports is $12,041,406. The annual cost to the Coast Guard after implementation of this NPRM would be approximately $11,403,718. Therefore, the annual Federal Government benefit of reducing those reportable marine casualties that involve property damage alone would be $637,688. Though this reduction does not result in a need for fewer Coast Guard investigators, the existing investigators would be able to focus on higher priority investigations. We estimate the total undiscounted cost savings or benefit of this NPRM to the Federal Government to be $6,376,880 over the 10-year period of analysis. Table 10 shows the total estimated 10year discounted cost savings to the Federal Government to be $4,478,854, with an annualized cost savings of $637,688 using a 7-percent discount rate. TABLE 10—TOTAL ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS OR GOVERNMENT BENEFITS OF THE NPRM OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS [Discounted costs at 7 and 3 percent] Total undiscounted costs Year Total, discounted 7% 3% 1 ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................... 3 ................................................................................................................................................... 4 ................................................................................................................................................... 5 ................................................................................................................................................... 6 ................................................................................................................................................... 7 ................................................................................................................................................... 8 ................................................................................................................................................... 9 ................................................................................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................................................................................. $637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 637,688 $595,970 556,981 520,543 486,489 454,663 424,918 397,120 371,140 346,860 324,168 $619,115 601,082 583,575 566,578 550,075 534,054 518,499 503,397 488,735 474,500 Total ...................................................................................................................................... Annualized ............................................................................................................................ 6,376,880 ........................ 4,478,854 637,688 5,439,608 637,688 Total Benefits of the NPRM Table 11 presents the total estimated benefits or cost savings of the NPRM using 7- and 3-percent discount rates. We estimate the total 10-year (industry and Federal Government) undiscounted cost savings of this NPRM to be about $6,831,464. We estimate the total 10- year discounted cost savings of this NPRM to be about $4,798,134 and the annualized benefit to be about $683,146 using a 7-percent discount rate. TABLE 11—TOTAL ESTIMATED BENEFITS OF THE NPRM OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS [Discounted benefits at 7 and 3 percent] Total undiscounted costs mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 $683,146 683,146 683,146 683,146 683,146 683,146 683,146 683,146 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 Total, discounted 7% 3% $638,455 596,687 557,651 521,169 487,074 455,209 425,429 397,597 $663,249 643,931 625,176 606,967 589,288 572,124 555,461 539,282 7763 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 11—TOTAL ESTIMATED BENEFITS OF THE NPRM OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD OF ANALYSIS—Continued [Discounted benefits at 7 and 3 percent] Total, discounted Total undiscounted costs Year 7% 3% 9 ................................................................................................................................................... 10 ................................................................................................................................................. 683,146 683,146 371,586 347,277 523,575 508,325 Total ...................................................................................................................................... Annualized ............................................................................................................................ 6,831,464 ........................ 4,798,134 683,146 5,827,377 683,146 B. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612, we have considered whether this NPRM would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. This NPRM reduces the burden on industry by increasing the monetized threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty incident and an SMI. There is no effect on any crewmember, owner, or operator of a vessel that does not have a reportable marine casualty or serious marine incident. There is no effect on any crewmember, owner, or operator of a vessel that has a marine casualty with property damage less than or equal to $25,000, or an SMI with damage less than or equal to $100,000, as these individuals currently do not have to report the casualty and would not have to do so under this NPRM. There is no effect on any crewmember, owner, or operator of a vessel that has a marine casualty with property damage greater than $72,000, or an SMI with property damage greater than $200,000, as these individuals must currently report such casualties and perform chemical testing, and would continue to be required to do so under this NPRM. This NPRM would not impose any direct costs on any specific industry. The only affected individuals are owners or operators of those vessels that would be involved in a marine casualty where the only outcome is property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000, or an SMI where the only outcome is property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000. These entities, which would have incurred costs to report these casualties or conduct chemical testing, would be positively impacted from this NPRM because of the increase in the monetized threshold amounts. As discussed in Section V of this NPRM, we expect that an average of approximately 316 fewer reports of marine casualties would be required per year, with one individual per vessel who we assume to be a vessel crewmember completing each report. We assume the 316 marine casualty reports occur on 316 separate vessels. It is possible a vessel could have multiple incidents in one year, resulting in multiple marine casualty reports, but for this analysis we assume the 316 fewer reports are ascribed to 316 separate vessels. We compared this affected population to the total population that could have a marine casualty and be required to prepare and submit marine casualty reporting paperwork. We used the MISLE Vessel Population data to estimate the total population that could be impacted. We found the current total population of vessels that could have a marine casualty and be required to submit paperwork is 209,475.19 Therefore, the 316 fewer vessels preparing marine casualty paperwork represents 0.15 percent of the total population. The owners or operators of these 316 vessels would benefit from a reduction in time burden associated with a crewmember no longer having to prepare and submit the required marine casualty reporting paperwork. Table 6 in Section V summarizes the annual cost savings to industry by requirement. Table 13 below shows these annual cost savings, as well as the vessel population we estimated would benefit from each reduction in paperwork or testing requirement. TABLE 13—MAXIMUM POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS PER VESSEL PER INCIDENT Total annual cost savings Requirement Vessel population Maximum potential cost savings per vessel $8,216 32,320 273 4,649 316 32 21 21 $26 1,010 13 221 Totals .................................................................................................................................... mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Written report of marine casualty ................................................................................................ Additional Burden for 10% of Respondents ................................................................................ SMI written report ........................................................................................................................ Testing Procedures ...................................................................................................................... 45,458 ........................ 1,270 The total cost savings per vessel for the population of 316 vessels benefiting from this NPRM will vary depending on the requirements. For example, we estimate that 32 of the vessels (10 percent of population, rounded) would have savings due to a reduction in marine casualty reports ($26) and an additional savings for the additional 19 Population data was pulled from MISLE on 9/ 28/2016. The population is for commercial vessels that are active and in-service. The population includes commercial fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, freight barges, industrial vessels, mobile offshore drilling units, offshore supply vessels, oil recovery, passenger (inspected and uninspected), passenger barges (inspected and uninspected), public freights, public tankship/barges, unclassified public vessels, research vessels, school ships, tank barges, tank ships, and towing vessels. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7764 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS burden of reviewing the paperwork ($1,010) in any given year. Therefore, a one-time savings could be $1,036 for a vessel with only these two requirements. The minimum savings would be $26 for a vessel that only had the requirement of preparing and submitting the marine casualty report. If a vessel would have had to complete all the requirements in Table 13, the maximum cost savings would be $1,270. This maximum cost savings would be for a vessel with a marine casualty designated as an SMI that completed additional paperwork and reported the chemical test results to the OCMI. Therefore, the owner or operator of the 316 vessels impacted by this NPRM would have to have maximum annual revenues of $2,600 to $127,000 for this NPRM to have a positive impact greater than 1 percent. Therefore, pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Coast Guard certifies that this NPRM would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because the increase in the monetized property damage threshold amounts reduces the reporting burden on crewmembers or vessel owners or operators who complete the marine casualty reports or perform the required chemical testing, as described above. This NPRM would reduce the hour burden associated with marine casualty reporting and chemical testing and would not adversely impact small entities as defined by the SBA in 13 CFR. 121.201. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this NPRM would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the Docket Management Facility at the address under the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM. In your comment, explain why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this NPRM would economically affect it. C. Assistance for Small Entities Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104– 121, we want to assist small entities in understanding this NPRM so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If you think that the NPRM would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult with the Coast Guard personnel listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this NPRM. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 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 NPRM would call for a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520). As defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(c), ‘‘collection of information’’ comprises reporting, recordkeeping, monitoring, posting, labeling, and other similar actions. The title and description of the information collection, a description of those who must collect the information, and an estimate of the total annual burden follow. Under the provisions of the NPRM, the Coast Guard would collect information from ship personnel who are involved in marine casualties resulting in more than $72,000 in property damage, and serious marine incidents resulting in more than $200,000 in property damage. This proposed requirement would amend an existing collection of information by effectively reducing the number of instances requiring information to be collected under OMB control number 1625–0001. Title: Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel. OMB Control Number: 1625–0001. Summary of the Collection of Information: This NPRM would require responses such as the preparation of written notification in the form of CG– 2692 (series), and the processing of records. We use this information to identify pertinent safety lessons and to initiate appropriate steps for reducing the likelihood of similar accidents in the future. The collection of information would aid the regulated public in assuring safe practices. Need for Information: These reporting requirements permit the Coast Guard to initiate the immediate investigation of marine casualties as required by 46 U.S.C. 6301, in order to determine the causes of casualties and whether existing safety standards are adequate, PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 or whether new laws or regulations need to be developed. Receipt of a marine casualty report is often the only way in which the Coast Guard becomes aware of a marine casualty. It is therefore a necessary first step that provides the Coast Guard with the opportunity to determine the extent to which a casualty will be investigated. Proposed Use of Information: In the short term, the information provided in the report may also trigger corrective safety actions addressing immediate hazards or defective conditions, further investigations of mariner conduct or professional competence, or civil or criminal enforcement actions by the Coast Guard, other Federal agencies, or state and local authorities. In the long term, information contained in the report becomes part of the MISLE marine casualty database at Coast Guard Headquarters. The Coast Guard uses this information in MISLE to identify safety problems and long term trends, publish casualty summaries and annual statistics for public use, establish whether additional safety oversight or regulation is needed, measure the effectiveness of existing regulatory programs, and better focus limited Coast Guard marine safety resources. Description of the Respondents: The respondents are those owners, agents, masters, operators, or persons in charge that notify the nearest Sector Office, Marine Inspection Office, or Coast Guard Group Office whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty. Specifically, this NPRM would affect those vessel crewmembers and marine employers who completed the necessary forms to report a marine casualty where the only outcome was property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000, or an SMI with property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000 (CG–2692 series). Number of Respondents: We estimate the number of respondents would be 5,651 per year. This is a decrease of 316 respondents from an OMB-approved number of respondents of 5,967 per year. We estimate 250 of these marine casualty respondents would fall under the category of SMI respondents and be required to fill out an additional SMI written report (CG–2692B). This is a decrease of 21 respondents per year from 271 respondents. Frequency of Response: The notification response would be required only if a marine casualty occurs as defined in 46 CFR 4.03–2 and 46 CFR 4.05–1. Burden of Response: For each response, we estimate that it takes about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to complete all of the necessary forms E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS (CG–2692 series). In addition, some marine casualty forms may undergo additional processing by the respondents. To account for this additional time, 10 percent of the forms submitted would have 10 hours of additional burden.20 When a marine casualty is designated as an SMI, the marine employer must also complete an SMI written report (CG–2692B). We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a respondent to complete an SMI written report (CG–2692B). Estimate of Total Annual Burden: We estimate that the number of responses would decrease by 316 per year. At 1 hour per response, the reduced burden for submitting the responses would be 316 hours. In addition, 10 percent of these responses would have required additional processing of 10 hours per response, for a reduction of an additional 320 burden hours.21 We estimate 21 of the responses would have been designated as an SMI. At 0.5 hours per SMI, the burden would be reduced by 11 hours (rounded). Therefore, this NPRM would decrease the total annual burden by 647 hours.22 As required by 44 U.S.C. 3507(d), we will submit a copy of this NPRM to OMB for its review of the collection of information. We ask for public comment on the proposed collection of information to help us determine how useful the information is, whether it can help us perform our functions better, whether it is readily available elsewhere, how accurate our estimate of the burden of collection is’ how valid our methods for determining burden are, how we can improve the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information, and how we can minimize the burden of collection. If you submit comments on the collection of information, submit them 20 The Coast Guard estimates that it takes up to 1 hour to complete Form CG–2692 (series). However, we received public comments in 2013 on COI number 1625–0001 stating that some submitters take more time—up to 8 to 12 hours— to complete the form. Docket ID: USCG–2011–0710, https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-20110710. The reason for this difference is that some entities have the form(s) reviewed by shore-side personnel, such as an attorney, prior to submission to the Coast Guard. The practice of having a form reviewed by an attorney is not required by Coast Guard regulation. While we believe that this does not typically occur, we adjusted our burden estimate to account for the added review. 21 Due to rounding in the estimates, the current burden for the additional review is 5,970 hours. The burden under this NPRM is 5,650 hours, which is a reduction of 320 hours. 22 The current annual burden in COI 1625–0001 for completing the marine casualty forms, the additional processing for some respondents, and the time to complete the SMI forms is 12,073 hours. The annual burden under this NPRM is 11,426 hours, a reduction of 647 hours. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 7765 both to OMB and to the Docket Management Facility where indicated under the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM, by the date under the DATES section. You are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number from OMB. Before the Coast Guard could enforce the collection of information requirements in this NPRM, OMB would need to approve the Coast Guard’s request to collect this information. 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 NPRM would not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this NPRM elsewhere in this preamble. E. Federalism G. Taking of Private Property This NPRM would 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’’). A rule has implications for federalism under E.O. 13132 (‘‘Federalism’’) if it has a substantial direct effect on 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 NPRM under E.O. 13132 and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements as described in E.O.13132. Our analysis follows. It is well settled that States may not regulate in categories reserved for regulation by the Coast Guard. It is also well settled that Coast Guard regulations promulgated under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 6101 are within a field foreclosed from regulation by the States. See U.S. v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89, 115–16 (2000) (stating ‘‘Congress intended that the Coast Guard regulations be the sole source of a vessel’s [marine casualty] reporting obligations.’’). This NPRM would change the property damage threshold amounts for reporting marine casualties and serious marine incidents, which is within the sole purview of the Coast Guard to regulate pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 6101 and the principles discussed in Locke. Thus, the proposed regulations are consistent with the principles of federalism and preemption requirements in E.O. 13132. While it is 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, we recognize the key role that State and local governments may have in making regulatory determinations. Additionally, for rules with federalism implications and preemptive effect, E.O 13132 specifically directs agencies to consult with State and local governments during the rulemaking process. If you believe this NPRM has implications for federalism under E.O. 13132, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this preamble. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 H. Civil Justice Reform This NPRM 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 NPRM under E.O. 13045 (‘‘Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks’’). This NPRM 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 NPRM 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 NPRM under E.O. 13211 (‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’). We have determined that this NPRM 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 E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1 7766 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 13 / Monday, January 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules 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 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 NPRM does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards. M. Environment We have analyzed this NPRM under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f, and we have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this categorical exclusion determination is available in the docket where indicated under the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ section of this preamble. This NPRM involves regulations concerning marine casualties and proposes to update the monetary threshold amounts for a reportable marine casualty as well as the definition of an SMI relative to property damage. Thus, we expect that this NPRM would likely be categorically excluded under Section 2.b.2 and figure 2–1, paragraph 34(d) of the Instruction. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this NPRM. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with PROPOSALS Administrative practice and procedure, Drug testing, Investigations, Marine safety, National Transportation Safety Board, Nuclear vessels, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety, Transportation. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 46 CFR part 4 as follows: 19:13 Jan 19, 2017 Jkt 241001 1. The authority citation for part 4 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 2103, 2303a, 2306, 6101, 6301, and 6305; 50 U.S.C. 198; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Subpart 4.40 issued under 49 U.S.C. 1903(a)(1)(E). 2. In § 4.03–2, revise paragraph (a) (3) to read as follows: ■ § 4.03–2 Serious marine incident. (a) * * * (3) Damage to property, as defined in § 4.05–1(a)(7) of this part, in excess of $200,000; * * * * * ■ 3. In § 4.05–1, revise paragraph (a)(7) to read as follows: § 4.05–1 Notice of marine casualty. (a) * * * (7) An occurrence causing propertydamage in excess of $72,000, this damage including the cost of labor and material to restore the property to its condition before the occurrence, but not including the cost of salvage, cleaning, gas-freeing, drydocking, or demurrage. * * * * * Dated: January 13, 2017. V.B. Gifford, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2017–01323 Filed 1–19–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Parts 6, 7, 14, 64, and 67 [CG Docket No. 16–145 and GN Docket No. 15–178; FCC 16–169] Transition From TTY to Real-Time Text Technology Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: In this document, the Commission seeks comment on further actions the Commission could undertake to continue the transition from outdated text telephony (TTY) technology to a reliable and interoperable means of providing realtime text (RTT) communication over Internet Protocol (IP) enabled networks and services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech disability. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Comments are due February 22, 2017. Reply Comments are due March 24, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CG Docket No. 16–145 and GN Docket No. 15–178, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), through the Commission’s Web site https:// apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting comments. For ECFS filers, in completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal service mailing address, and CG Docket No. 16–145 and GN Docket No. 15–178. • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Scott, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418–1264 or email Michael.Scott@ fcc.gov, or Suzy Rosen Singleton, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 510–9446 or email Suzanne.Singleton@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated in the DATES section. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s ECFS. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). • All hand-delivered or messengerdelivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street SW., Room TW–A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. DATES: PART 4—MARINE CASUALTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS SUMMARY: List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 4 VerDate Sep<11>2014 TITLE 46—SHIPPING E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM 23JAP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 13 (Monday, January 23, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7755-7766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01323]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 4

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0748]
RIN 1625-AC33

Marine Casualty Reporting Property Damage Thresholds

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend the monetary property damage
threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty, and for reporting a
type of marine casualty called a ``serious marine incident'' (SMI). The
initial regulations setting these dollar threshold amounts were
promulgated in the early1980s and they have not been updated. Because
the monetary thresholds for reporting have not kept pace with
inflation, relatively minor casualties must be reported. Additionally,
the regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing following an
SMI; consequently, testing is being conducted for casualties that are
less significant than those intended to be captured by the original
regulations. Updating the regulations will reduce the burden on vessel
owners and operators, and will also reduce the amount of Coast Guard
resources expended to investigate these incidents.

DATES: 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 March 24, 2017.
Comments sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on
collection of information must reach OMB on or before March 24, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments using one of the listed methods, and see
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on public
comments.
Collection of information. You must submit any comments on the
collection of information discussed in Section IV of this preamble both
to the Coast Guard's docket and to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the White House Office of Management and
Budget. OIRA submissions can use one of the listed methods.
Email (preferred)_oira_submission@omb.eop.gov (include
the docket number and ``Attention: Desk Officer for Coast Guard, DHS''
in the subject line of the email).
Fax--202-395-6566.
Mail--Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office
of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503,
ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document,
call or email CDR Randy Waddington, CG-INV, Coast Guard; telephone 202-
372-1029, email HQS-PF-fldr-CG-INV@uscg.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
II. Abbreviations
III. Background, Basis, and Purpose
IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule
V. Regulatory Analyses
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
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

[[Page 7756]]

K. Energy Effects
L. Technical Standards
M. Environment

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking,
and we 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 notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM), 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).
We are not planning to hold a public meeting but will consider
doing so if public comments indicate a meeting would be helpful. We
would issue a separate Federal Register notice to announce the date,
time, and location of such a meeting.

II. Abbreviations

BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive Order
FR Federal Register
MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement
NVIC Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular
OCMI Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
OMB Office of Management and Budget
SMI Serious marine incident
Sec. Section symbol
U.S.C. United States Code

III. Background, Basis, and Purpose

Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 6101, the Coast Guard is required to
prescribe regulations on marine casualty reporting and the manner of
reporting. Based on this authority, we promulgated regulations in part
4 of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that included,
among other criteria, monetary property damage threshold amounts for
reporting a ``serious marine incident'' \1\ and for reporting a marine
casualty.\2\ The original regulations setting these property damage
threshold amounts were promulgated in the 1980s and they have not since
been updated. In this NPRM, the Coast Guard proposes to update the
dollar threshold amounts for property damage in 46 CFR 4.03-2(a)(3) and
4.05-1(a)(7) to account for inflation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ 46 CFR 4.03-2.
\2\ 46 CFR 4.05-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 2013 through 2014, Coast Guard undertook a review of marine
casualty reporting requirements during our development of Navigation
and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-15, resulting in a Federal
Register notice \3\ requesting public comment on the draft NVIC 01-15.
Several commenters from industry and the public noted that property
damage threshold amounts for reported marine casualties and serious
marine incidents (SMIs) had not been updated to reflect inflation and
supported an inflation adjustment to the thresholds. Furthermore, in
response to a task to examine the Coast Guard's marine casualty
reporting requirements, the Coast Guard's Towing Vessel Safety Advisory
Committee recommended that we amend the monetary thresholds in 46 CFR
part 4 to account for inflation.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\3\ 79 FR 2466 (January 14, 2014).
\4\ Towing Safety Advisory Committee, Task 13-09,
Recommendations for Improvement of Marine Casualty Reporting Final
Report. This report is accessible at https://homeport.uscg.mil/tsac.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is Coast Guard and stakeholder consensus that the early 1980s
property damage monetary threshold amounts listed in 46 CFR 4.03-2 and
4.05-1 have not kept pace with inflation. Over time, this has resulted
in the reporting of a greater number casualties involving relatively
minor property damage. As was explained in the 1980 interim final rule,
``the Coast Guard's selection of a monetary value as a reporting
criterion is based upon the premise that increased repair costs are
indicative of the increased seriousness of a marine casualty [. . .]
The monetary damage criterion has been chosen as the most effective
method of ensuring that only the more serious casualties are
reported.'' (45 FR 77439, 77440). Accordingly, it has never been our
intent to require owners or operators to notify us of casualties
involving relatively minor property damage; consequently, we are
amending the property damage monetary threshold amounts in order to
eliminate the reporting of insignificant property damage incidents. The
marine casualty reports impacted by this NPRM are those marine
casualties where the only outcome was property damage in the amount of
$25,000.01 through $72,000. Additionally, because the regulations
require mandatory drug and alcohol testing following an SMI, current
regulations require chemical testing for casualties that reach a
minimum threshold of $100,000 in property damage. Due to cost increases
caused by inflation, however, casualties that result in property damage
between $100,000 and $200,000 are no longer representative of a
``serious'' casualty. The lack of inflation updates to our marine
casualty regulations has resulted in an additional administrative and
financial burden on vessel owners and operators, as well as on Coast
Guard resources used to investigate these incidents. This NPRM would
result in an estimated annual cost savings of $40,809 to industry due
to a reduction in the hourly burden of reporting and recordkeeping for
both marine casualties and SMIs, and a reduction in an estimated annual
cost savings of $4,649 for chemical testing for marine casualties
designated as SMIs. This NPRM would result in Coast Guard cost savings
by reducing the hourly burden costs to investigate marine casualties as
well as the costs associated with processing marine casualty forms.
As a result of updating the dollar amount thresholds to account for
inflation, we anticipate there would be a decrease in the number of
commercial vessel casualties reported to the Coast Guard. The changes
proposed by this NPRM would also likely decrease the number of
casualties that fall within the current definition of an SMI, and
thereby reduce the amount of chemical tests administered following an
SMI that result in property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000.
However mandatory chemical testing would still be required if the
property damage meets the revised dollar threshold amount (in excess of
$200,000) proposed by this NPRM. The intent of setting a dollar amount
threshold in our marine casualty reporting regulation and within the
definition of ``serious

[[Page 7757]]

marine incident'' is to ensure that the Coast Guard is aware of those
incidents that could be indicative of more serious problems and that
may be averted in the future with timely intervention.
These proposed changes would provide a benefit for both the marine
industry and the Coast Guard because they would reduce the hourly
burden or eliminate the marine casualty reporting requirements for
incidents involving property damage between the existing and proposed
thresholds, and reduce SMI chemical testing requirements for incidents
involving property damage in the range of $100,000 through $200,000. As
a result, the marine industry and Coast Guard resources would be able
to focus efforts on higher consequence incidents.

IV. Discussion of Proposed Rule

The Coast Guard proposes to amend 46 CFR 4.03-2 and 4.05-1. The
proposed changes would replace the existing reportable marine casualty
property damage threshold amount of $25,000 with $72,000 in 46 CFR part
4.05-1(a) (7), and replace the SMI property damage threshold of
$100,000 with $200,000 in 46 CFR part 4.03-2(a) (3). These threshold
amounts are being updated to account for inflation.
The Coast Guard determined the inflation adjustment factor using
the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
from the original dollar thresholds set in 1980 for marine casualty
property damage and 1988 for SMI property damage. The CPI-U is
calculated and published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, \5\ and uses the period of 1982 to 1984 as the base
level where the CPI-U = 100. We calculated the inflation adjustment by
comparing the average CPI-U for the base years (82.408 in 1980 and
118.258 in 1988) with the average CPI-U for 2015 (237.017). This
resulted in an inflation adjustment factor of 1.876 \6\ for the marine
casualty dollar threshold and a factor of 1.004 \7\ for the SMI dollar
threshold.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ CPI Detailed Report December 2015, Table 24. https://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpid1512.pdf.
\6\ (237.017 - 82.408)/82.408 = 1.876.
\7\ (237.017 - 118.258)/118.258 = 1.004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the marine casualty reporting threshold, we multiplied the
inflation adjustment factor of 1.876 by the current threshold of
$25,000 to calculate the raw inflation increment of $46,900, resulting
in a total revised threshold of $72,000 (25,000 + $46,900 rounded to
the nearest thousand).
For the SMI dollar threshold, we multiplied the inflation
adjustment factor of 1.004 by the current threshold of $100,000 to
calculate the raw inflation increment of $100,400, resulting in a total
revised threshold of $200,000 (100,000 + $100,400 rounded to the
nearest thousand).

V. Regulatory Analyses

We developed this NPRM 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. This NPRM has not been designated a
``significant regulatory action,'' under section 3(f) of Executive
Order 12866. Accordingly, the rule has not been reviewed by the Office
of Management and Budget.
This Regulatory Analysis provides an evaluation of the economic
impacts associated with this NPRM. The Coast Guard proposes to amend
two sections in part 4 of Title 46 of the CFR, 46 CFR 4.03-2 and 4.05-
1. Under this NPRM, the Coast Guard proposes to replace the reportable
marine casualty dollar threshold of $25,000 with $72,000 in 46 CFR part
4.05-1(a) (7), and replace the SMI dollar threshold of $100,000 with
$200,000 in 46 CFR part 4.03-2(a) (3) to update the thresholds to
account for inflation, as discussed in Section IV of this NPRM. Table 1
provides a summary of the affected population, costs, and benefits
after implementation of this NPRM.

Table 1--Summary of the Impacts of the NPRM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicability..................... Replace the reportable marine
casualty dollar threshold of
$25,000 with $72,000.
Replace the SMI dollar threshold of
$100,000 with $200,000. Owners,
agents, masters, operators, or
persons in charge involved in a
marine casualty and crewmembers who
are required to undergo chemical
testing.
Affected Population............... Annual average of 316 vessel owners,
operators, or their representatives
reporting a marine casualty, 21
marine employers reporting an SMI,
and average of 32 vessel
crewmembers completing chemical
testing would no longer be required
to report these incidents to the
Coast Guard.
Costs............................. No quantitative costs.
Benefits.......................... $45,458 annualized and $319,281 10-
year present value monetized
industry benefits (cost savings)
(7% discount rate).
$637,688 annualized and $4,478,854
10-year present value monetized
Government benefits (cost savings)
(7% discount rate).
Total of industry and Government
benefits: $683,146 annualized and
$4,798,134 10-year present value
monetized combined benefits (cost
savings) (7% discount rate).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Affected Population
We expect that this NPRM would affect the owners, agents, masters,
operators, or persons in charge of a commercial vessel who, pursuant to
46 CFR 4.05-1, are required to notify the nearest Sector Office
whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty. Specifically, the
proposed regulations in this NPRM would affect those individuals who
would have completed the necessary forms (CG-2692 series) to report a
marine casualty where the only outcome was property damage of
$25,000.01 through $72,000, or an SMI

[[Page 7758]]

with property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000 (CG-2692 series,
supplemented with an appended SMI written report (CG-2692B).\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\8\ ``Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing
Following a Serious Marine Incident.'' See, 46 CFR 4.05-10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We used incident investigation data from the Coast Guard's Marine
Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) system from 2012
through 2014 \9\ to estimate the average number of vessel crewmembers
affected by this NPRM. From 2012 through 2014, we found there was an
average of 5,967 reports of a marine casualty per year, with one
individual per vessel who we assume to be a vessel crewmember
completing each report. An average of 271, or 4.5 percent of the annual
5,967 marine casualty reports, involved an SMI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\9\ This 3-year time period was used to be consistent with the
existing Collection of Information, entitled ``Report of Marine
Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel,'' which
has OMB Control Number 1625-0001.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of the 5,967 marine casualty reports, approximately 5.3 percent
were for a reportable marine casualty where the only outcome was
property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000. Therefore, we expect
that an average of approximately 316 fewer reports of marine casualties
would be required per year. Vessel owners and operators would benefit
from a reduction in the time burden associated with a crewmember no
longer having to prepare and submit the required marine casualty
reporting paperwork.
Of the 271 casualty reports that involved an SMI, approximately 7.9
percent (21 out of 271) were ones in which the sole outcome of the SMI
was property damage of $100,000.01 through $200,000. Based on that
annual average, the amendments proposed in this NPRM would likely
result in a reduction of about 21 SMI written reports (CG-2692B) per
year due to the proposed change to the monetary threshold amount for an
SMI involving property damage. Because property damage of $100,000.01
through $200,000 exceeds the threshold for a reportable marine
casualty, the forms for a marine casualty report (CG-2692 series) would
still need to be completed. However, marine employers would no longer
be required to complete the additional paperwork required for an SMI
written report (CG-2692B). Consequently, marine employers would benefit
from a reduction in the time burden associated with an SMI written
report (CG-2692B) as well as cost savings associated with chemical
savings.
Benefits or Cost Savings to Industry
The benefit or cost savings to industry is the difference between
the current baseline cost to industry and the cost to industry after
implementation of this NPRM.

Current Reporting Cost to Industry for CG-2692 and CG-2692B

To estimate the benefit to industry, we first estimate the current
cost to industry. The cost to industry includes costs for reporting and
recordkeeping for a reportable marine casualty and the costs for
chemical testing for marine casualties designated as SMIs. The
reporting and recordkeeping costs for marine casualties include the
time to complete the forms (CG-2692 series) for a marine casualty, the
time for approximately 10 percent of the forms to be internally
reviewed before submission, and the time to complete the additional SMI
written report (CG-2692B) pursuant to 46 CFR 4.06-60(a) if a marine
casualty is designated as an SMI. The time estimates and wage rates for
reporting and recordkeeping are taken from the existing Collection of
Information, entitled ``Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of
Commercial Vessel Personnel,'' which has OMB Control Number 1625-
0001.\10\ We use the same time estimates and wage rates in this
analysis to maintain consistency and to capture the changes due to this
NPRM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\10\ Existing Collection of Information, ``Report of Marine
Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial Vessel Personnel'', OMB
Control Number 1625-0001, Docket Number USCG-2015-0910, can be found
at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/23/2015-27019/information-collection-request-to-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-control-number-1625-0001.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

An average of 5,967 marine casualty reports are submitted annually
by vessel owners or operators. For each reportable marine casualty, the
existing Collection of Information estimates that it takes about 1 hour
for a vessel crewmember to complete the necessary forms (CG-2692
series). The existing Collection of Information also estimates that the
position of vessel crewmember is analogous to a government employee at
the grade level of a GS-03. The fully loaded wage rate for a GS-03 is
$26 per hour, according to Commandant Instruction 7310.1P,
``Reimbursable Standard Rates.'' \11\ The annual baseline cost to
complete the current 5,967 CG-2692 series forms would be $155,142
(5,967 marine casualty reports x $26).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\11\ Out of Government Rate for GS-03. Hourly Rates for
Personnel ($), Enclosure (2) to Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. We
use this version to maintain consistency with the existing COI 1625-
0001.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate that it takes, on average, 1 hour to complete the CG-
2692 series forms. However, we received public comments in 2011 on
existing COI number 1625-0001 stating that completing the CG-2692 form
takes more than one hour and one commenter stated that it can take up
to 8 to 12 hours to complete the form.\12\ The reason for this
difference is that some entities choose to have the forms reviewed by
shore-side personnel, such as an attorney prior to submission to the
Coast Guard. We adjusted our burden estimate to account for the
additional layer of review. To account for this additional time, 10
percent of the forms submitted would have 10 hours of additional
burden. The additional time reflects internal review by individuals
employed by the owner or operator in addition to the vessel crewmember
who completes the form. The additional reviewers may be shoreside
representatives, port engineers, and attorneys, among others. We
estimate the wage rate for this added review is done by personnel
analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS-14. The
fully loaded wage rate for a GS-14 is $101 per hour, per Commandant
Instruction 7310.1P. The total annual cost of this additional time is
$602,970 (597 marine casualty reports x 10 additional burden hours x
$101).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ Docket ID: USCG-2011-0710. Comments can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-2011-0710.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

When a marine casualty is designated as an SMI, the marine employer
must also complete an SMI written report (CG-2692B). (See 46 CFR 4.06-
60.) We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a marine employer
analogous to a government employee at the grade level of a GS-03 to
complete this form. The annual cost to complete an SMI written report
(CG-2692B) is about $3,523 (271 SMI reports x 0.5 hours x $26 per hour
wage rate).
Table 2 shows a summary of the current industry costs for reporting
and recordkeeping.

[[Page 7759]]

Table 2--Current Annual Industry Costs for Reporting and Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crewmembers/ Burden hours Annual hour Annual cost
Requirement responses per response burden Wage rate burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written report of marine 5,967 1 5,967 $26 $155,142
casualty.......................
Additional Burden for 10% of 597 10 5,970 101 602,970
Respondents....................
SMI written report.............. 271 0.5 136 26 3,523
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................... .............. .............. 12,073 .............. 761,635
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Estimates may not sum due to independent rounding.

As mentioned earlier in this NPRM, when a marine casualty is
designated as an SMI, the crewmembers involved are required to take a
chemical test pursuant to 46 CFR 4.06-3. The marine employer incurs
costs for the actual costs of the chemical test and the time it takes
for a crewmember to take the chemical test. The actual cost of the
chemical test includes the costs of the chemical test collection kits,
collector fees, Coast Guard alcohol-testing swabs, and costs of
overnight mailing. These costs can vary, but on average, the actual
chemical test costs approximately $100 per test.\13\ Each vessel
crewmember involved in an SMI is required to take a chemical test. The
number of vessel crewmembers required to take a chemical test can vary
depending on the circumstances of the SMI. We analyzed the casualty
reports that involved an SMI from MISLE and found an average of 1.5
crewmembers per SMI were required to take a chemical test. We used an
estimate of 1.5 crewmembers to estimate the costs of chemical testing
to account for the variation in crewmembers involved in SMIs. With an
average of 271 SMIs per year, the current annual cost for the actual
chemical tests is $40,650 (271 SMIs x average of 1.5 crewmembers x $100
per test).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\13\ Most marine employers use a consortium that simplifies and
reduces the costs per test and also assists in managing a company's
drug-testing program. There are variables associated with the cost
of testing, as costs can vary depending on the number of personnel
included in a plan and the type of testing plan adopted by a
particular company. Based on discussions with industry and Coast
Guard medical testing contract data that is not publically
available, we estimated testing costs of $79 and $114. We are,
therefore, using an average cost of $100 for this analysis
[($79+$114)/2, rounded].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the cost of the chemical tests, there is a cost
associated with the time it takes a vessel crewmember to complete the
chemical test. We estimate that it takes 1 hour for a crewmember to
complete the chemical test.\14\ We obtained the wage rate of the
crewmember from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using
Occupational Series 53-5000, Water Transportation Workers (May 2015).
The BLS reports that the mean hourly wage rate for a water
transportation worker is $31.11.\15\ To account for employee benefits,
we use a load factor of 1.53, which we calculated from 2016 first
quarter BLS data.\16\ The loaded wage for a crewmember is estimated at
$47.60 ($31.11 wage rate x 1.53 load factor). The cost of the time for
a crewmember to take the chemical test is $19,349 (271 SMIs x average
of 1.5 crewmembers x 1 hour burden x $47.60 wage rate). Therefore, the
current annual cost to industry for chemical testing is $59,999 (see
Table 3). Adding the costs for chemical testing of $59,999 to the cost
for reporting and recordkeeping of $761,635 (see Table 2), brings the
current total annual cost to industry to $821,634.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ Hourly estimate is from Coast Guard subject matter experts,
and takes into account that these are not planned tests, but instead
are emergent tests--required as a result of accidents--that must be
taken no later than 32 hours after the incident.
\15\ Mean wage, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2015/may/oes_nat.htm
\16\ Employer Costs for Employee Compensation provides
information on the employer compensation and can be found at https://data.bls.gov/data/. The loaded wage factor is equal to the total
compensation of $27.61 divided by the wages and salary of $18.05.
Values for the total compensation and wages and salary are for all
private industry workers in the transportation and material moving
occupations, 2016 1st quarter.

Table 3--Current Annual Industry Costs for Chemical Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Cost of Total cost of
SMIs per year crewmembers testing Hours to take Wage rate testing
tested per SMI procedures test procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
271............................. 1.5 $100 1 $47.60 $59,999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Reporting Costs to Industry After Implementation of the NPRM

Increasing the dollar threshold amount for a reportable marine
casualty involving property damage, as well as the dollar threshold
amount for property damage within the definition of a ``serious marine
incident,'' would reduce the number of marine casualty responses by 5.3
percent, and the number of SMIs by 7.9 percent, annually. The burden
hours per response would remain the same, but we estimate that the
total number of responses would decrease to 5,651 for marine casualties
and 250 for SMIs, resulting in 316 fewer reported marine casualties and
21 fewer SMIs. The following sections replicate the calculation of
marine casualty reporting and chemical testing, but reflect the reduced
number of reports and testing under the revised thresholds.
For each reportable marine casualty, we estimate that it takes
about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to complete all parts of the
necessary forms at a wage rate of $26. We estimate that the cost to
complete the reduced number of marine casualty forms would be $146,926
(5,651 marine casualty reports x $26).
In addition to the time to complete the forms, some of the marine
casualty forms would require additional processing time. The additional
processing time reflects internal review by individuals employed by the
owner or operator, in addition to the time needed by the vessel
crewmember who completes the form. The additional reviewers may be
shoreside representatives, port engineers, or attorneys, among others.
To account for

[[Page 7760]]

this time, 10 percent \17\ of the forms submitted (565 forms) would
have 10 hours of additional burden, and the wage rate for this added
review would be done by personnel analogous to a government employee at
the grade level of a GS-14. We estimate that the total cost of this
additional time after the implementation of this NPRM would be $570,650
(565 marine casualty reports x 10 additional burden hours x $101).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\17\ Docket ID: USCG-2011-0710, https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-2011-0710.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As mentioned earlier in this NPRM, when a marine casualty is
designated as an SMI, the marine employer must complete an SMI written
report (CG-2692B). We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a
marine employer analogous to a government employee at a grade level of
a GS-03 to complete this form.\18\ We estimate that the cost to
complete the additional forms for an SMI after implementation of this
NPRM would be $3,250 (250 SMI reports x 0.5 hours x $26 per hour wage
rate).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\18\ The wage rate for a marine employer to complete the form
CG-2692B and to report chemical test results to the OCMI is taken
from existing COI number 1625-0001.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 4 shows a summary of the industry costs after implementation
of this NPRM.

Table 4--Annual Industry Costs for Reporting and Recordkeeping With Revised Reporting Thresholds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crewmembers/ Burden hours Annual hour Annual cost
Requirement responses per response burden Wage rate burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written report of marine 5,651 1 5,651 $26 $146,926
casualty.......................
Additional Burden for 10% of 565 10 5,650 101 570,650
Respondents....................
SMI written report.............. 250 0.5 125 26 3,250
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals...................... .............. .............. 11,426 .............. 720,826
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Estimates may not sum due to independent rounding.

The marine employer incurs the actual costs of the chemical test as
well as the wage burden it takes for a crewmember to complete the
chemical test. On average, each chemical test costs approximately $100.
We use an estimate of 1.5 crewmembers to estimate the costs of chemical
testing to account for the variation in crewmembers involved in SMIs.
With an average of 250 SMIs per year, the annual cost after
implementation of this NPRM for the actual chemical tests is $37,500
(250 SMIs x average of 1.5 crewmembers x $100 per test).
In addition to the cost of the chemical tests, there is a cost
associated with the time it takes a vessel crewmember to complete the
chemical test. We estimate that it takes 1 hour for a crewmember to
complete the chemical test at a loaded wage rate of $47.60 per hour. We
estimate that the cost of the time for a crewmember to take the
chemical test under the NPRM would be $17,850 (250 SMIs x average of
1.5 crewmembers x 1 hour burden x $47.60 wage rate). Therefore, the
annual cost to industry for chemical testing after implementation of
this NPRM would be $55,350 (see Table 5). Adding the costs for chemical
testing of $55,350 to the cost for reporting and recordkeeping of
$720,826 (see Table 4) brings the estimated total annual cost to
industry to $776,176, if this NPRM is implemented.

Table 5--Annual Industry Costs for Chemical Testing After Implementation of the NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Cost of Total cost of
SMIs per year Crewmembers testing Hours to take Wage Rate testing
tested per SMI procedures test procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250............................. 1.5 $100 1 $47.60 $55,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current annual burden of reporting marine casualties and SMIs
under the current dollar amount thresholds is $821,634. The annual
burden of reporting under the proposed new thresholds would be
$776,176. Therefore, we estimate that the annual cost savings or
benefit to industry after implementation of this NPRM would be $45,458.
Table 6 shows a summary of the annual current industry cost burden, the
annual industry cost burden after implementation of the NPRM, and the
annual cost savings resulting from implementation of this NPRM.

Table 6--Total Annual Cost Savings to Industry by Requirement After Implementation of the NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Annual
Current annual industry cost industry cost
Requirement industry cost burden after savings after
burden implementation implementation
of NPRM of NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written report of marine casualty............................... $155,142 $146,926 $8,216
Additional burden for 10% of respondents........................ 602,970 570,650 32,320
SMI written report.............................................. 3,523 3,250 273
Testing procedures.............................................. 59,999 55,350 4,649
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 821,634 776,176 45,458
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 7761]]

The total 10-year undiscounted industry cost savings of this NPRM
would be $454,584. Table 7 shows the 10-year estimated discounted cost
savings to industry to be about $319,281 with an annualized cost
savings of approximately $45,458 using a 7-percent discount rate.

Table 7--Total Estimated Cost Savings or Industry Benefits of the NPRM Over a 10-year Period of Analysis
[Discounted Costs at 7 and 3 Percent]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Total, discounted
Year undiscounted -------------------------------
costs 7% 3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................... $45,458 $42,484 $44,134
2............................................................... 45,458 39,705 42,849
3............................................................... 45,458 37,108 41,601
4............................................................... 45,458 34,680 40,389
5............................................................... 45,458 32,411 39,213
6............................................................... 45,458 30,291 38,071
7............................................................... 45,458 28,309 36,962
8............................................................... 45,458 26,457 35,885
9............................................................... 45,458 24,726 34,840
10.............................................................. 45,458 23,109 33,825
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 454,584 319,281 387,769
Annualized.................................................. .............. 45,458 45,458
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benefits or Cost Savings to Government

The benefit to the Federal Government is the difference between the
baseline current cost to the Coast Guard and the cost to the Coast
Guard after implementation of this NPRM.

Current Costs to Government

We first estimated the current costs to the Coast Guard, which
include the cost to investigate a marine casualty and the cost of
processing marine casualty forms. Because an SMI is a type of marine
casualty, the estimate for the cost of the investigation and the
processing of the casualty forms includes those incidents that
constitute an SMI. Reportable marine casualties are investigated by the
Coast Guard. Some investigations may be more complex than others,
depending on the incident. The Coast Guard reviewed the CG-741 (Coast
Guard Office of Shore Forces) Sector Staffing Model to estimate the
average number of hours per investigation across all incident types.
The Sector Staffing Mode assigns a total hourly effort for the type of
incident (e.g., allision, grounding, collision) that is matched against
MISLE data, which then provides the resource needs for each sector. The
Coast Guard estimates that, across all types of incidents, these
investigations take an average of 25 hours for a Lieutenant (LT; O-3)
to complete. There is an average of 5,967 marine casualty cases per
year. The fully loaded wage rate for an O-3 is $78 per hour, per
Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. As shown in Table 8, the current annual
cost of investigations is $11,635,650 (5,967 reportable marine
casualties x 25 burden hours x $78 wage rate).
The Coast Guard must process the forms submitted for each
reportable marine casualty. The Coast Guard currently processes an
average of 5,967 marine casualty reports per year. To maintain
consistency and capture the changes to this NPRM, the time estimates
and wage rates for processing the forms are taken from the existing COI
1625-0001. For each reportable marine casualty, we estimate that it
takes about 1 hour by a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG; O-2) to process
the forms (CG-2692 series), including auditing at a local field
investigation office and the entry of pertinent information into Coast
Guard's MISLE system. The fully loaded wage rate for an O-2 is $68 per
hour, per Commandant Instruction 7310.1P. As shown in Table 8, the
current annual cost for the Coast Guard to process reportable marine
casualties is $405,756 (5,967 reportable marine casualties x 1 burden
hour x $68 wage rate). We estimate that the total current annual cost
to the Federal Government would be $12,041,406.

Table 8--Current Annual Government Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reportable
Cost category marine Burden hours Annual hours Wage rate Annual cost
casualties per response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investigation................... 5,967 25 149,175 $78 $11,635,650
Processing marine casualty 5,967 1 5,967 68 405,756
reports........................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... .............. .............. .............. .............. 12,041,406
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under this NPRM, increasing the dollar amount threshold for
property damage would reduce the number of reportable marine casualties
by 5.3 percent, resulting in 316 fewer reportable marine casualties.
The burden hours per response for investigations and processing marine
casualty reports would remain the same, but the average number of
reportable marine casualties would decrease to 5,651 per year. We
estimate that it takes an average of 25 hours for an O-3 to complete
and investigate and about 1 hour for an O-2 to process the forms for
each reportable marine casualty. As shown in Table 9, the annual cost
for the Coast Guard to complete

[[Page 7762]]

investigations under the NPRM would be approximately $11,019,450 (5,651
reportable marine casualties x 25 hour burden x $78). The annual cost
to process reportable marine casualties after implementation of this
NPRM would be approximately $384,268 (5,651 reportable marine
casualties x 1 hour burden x $68). We estimate that the total annual
cost to the Federal Government would be approximately $11,403,718 after
implementation of this NPRM.

Table 9--Estimated Annual Government Costs After Implementation of the NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reportable
Cost category marine Burden hours Annual hours Wage rate Annual cost
casualties per response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investigation................... 5,651 25 141,275 $78 $11,019,450
Processing marine casualty 5,651 1 5,651 68 384,268
report.........................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... .............. .............. .............. .............. 11,403,718
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current annual cost to the Coast Guard to process marine
casualty reports is $12,041,406. The annual cost to the Coast Guard
after implementation of this NPRM would be approximately $11,403,718.
Therefore, the annual Federal Government benefit of reducing those
reportable marine casualties that involve property damage alone would
be $637,688. Though this reduction does not result in a need for fewer
Coast Guard investigators, the existing investigators would be able to
focus on higher priority investigations. We estimate the total
undiscounted cost savings or benefit of this NPRM to the Federal
Government to be $6,376,880 over the 10-year period of analysis. Table
10 shows the total estimated 10-year discounted cost savings to the
Federal Government to be $4,478,854, with an annualized cost savings of
$637,688 using a 7-percent discount rate.

Table 10--Total Estimated Cost Savings or Government Benefits of the NPRM Over a 10-Year Period of Analysis
[Discounted costs at 7 and 3 percent]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Total, discounted
Year undiscounted -------------------------------
costs 7% 3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................... $637,688 $595,970 $619,115
2............................................................... 637,688 556,981 601,082
3............................................................... 637,688 520,543 583,575
4............................................................... 637,688 486,489 566,578
5............................................................... 637,688 454,663 550,075
6............................................................... 637,688 424,918 534,054
7............................................................... 637,688 397,120 518,499
8............................................................... 637,688 371,140 503,397
9............................................................... 637,688 346,860 488,735
10.............................................................. 637,688 324,168 474,500
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 6,376,880 4,478,854 5,439,608
Annualized.................................................. .............. 637,688 637,688
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Benefits of the NPRM
Table 11 presents the total estimated benefits or cost savings of
the NPRM using 7- and 3-percent discount rates. We estimate the total
10-year (industry and Federal Government) undiscounted cost savings of
this NPRM to be about $6,831,464. We estimate the total 10-year
discounted cost savings of this NPRM to be about $4,798,134 and the
annualized benefit to be about $683,146 using a 7-percent discount
rate.

Table 11--Total Estimated Benefits of the NPRM Over a 10-Year Period of Analysis
[Discounted benefits at 7 and 3 percent]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Total, discounted
Year undiscounted -------------------------------
costs 7% 3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................... $683,146 $638,455 $663,249
2............................................................... 683,146 596,687 643,931
3............................................................... 683,146 557,651 625,176
4............................................................... 683,146 521,169 606,967
5............................................................... 683,146 487,074 589,288
6............................................................... 683,146 455,209 572,124
7............................................................... 683,146 425,429 555,461
8............................................................... 683,146 397,597 539,282

[[Page 7763]]

9............................................................... 683,146 371,586 523,575
10.............................................................. 683,146 347,277 508,325
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 6,831,464 4,798,134 5,827,377
Annualized.................................................. .............. 683,146 683,146
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, we have
considered whether this NPRM would have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities''
comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are
independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields,
and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.
This NPRM reduces the burden on industry by increasing the
monetized threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty incident
and an SMI. There is no effect on any crewmember, owner, or operator of
a vessel that does not have a reportable marine casualty or serious
marine incident. There is no effect on any crewmember, owner, or
operator of a vessel that has a marine casualty with property damage
less than or equal to $25,000, or an SMI with damage less than or equal
to $100,000, as these individuals currently do not have to report the
casualty and would not have to do so under this NPRM. There is no
effect on any crewmember, owner, or operator of a vessel that has a
marine casualty with property damage greater than $72,000, or an SMI
with property damage greater than $200,000, as these individuals must
currently report such casualties and perform chemical testing, and
would continue to be required to do so under this NPRM.
This NPRM would not impose any direct costs on any specific
industry. The only affected individuals are owners or operators of
those vessels that would be involved in a marine casualty where the
only outcome is property damage of $25,000.01 through $72,000, or an
SMI where the only outcome is property damage of $100,000.01 through
$200,000. These entities, which would have incurred costs to report
these casualties or conduct chemical testing, would be positively
impacted from this NPRM because of the increase in the monetized
threshold amounts.
As discussed in Section V of this NPRM, we expect that an average
of approximately 316 fewer reports of marine casualties would be
required per year, with one individual per vessel who we assume to be a
vessel crewmember completing each report. We assume the 316 marine
casualty reports occur on 316 separate vessels. It is possible a vessel
could have multiple incidents in one year, resulting in multiple marine
casualty reports, but for this analysis we assume the 316 fewer reports
are ascribed to 316 separate vessels. We compared this affected
population to the total population that could have a marine casualty
and be required to prepare and submit marine casualty reporting
paperwork. We used the MISLE Vessel Population data to estimate the
total population that could be impacted. We found the current total
population of vessels that could have a marine casualty and be required
to submit paperwork is 209,475.\19\ Therefore, the 316 fewer vessels
preparing marine casualty paperwork represents 0.15 percent of the
total population.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\19\ Population data was pulled from MISLE on 9/28/2016. The
population is for commercial vessels that are active and in-service.
The population includes commercial fishing vessels, fish processing
vessels, freight barges, industrial vessels, mobile offshore
drilling units, offshore supply vessels, oil recovery, passenger
(inspected and uninspected), passenger barges (inspected and
uninspected), public freights, public tankship/barges, unclassified
public vessels, research vessels, school ships, tank barges, tank
ships, and towing vessels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The owners or operators of these 316 vessels would benefit from a
reduction in time burden associated with a crewmember no longer having
to prepare and submit the required marine casualty reporting paperwork.
Table 6 in Section V summarizes the annual cost savings to industry by
requirement. Table 13 below shows these annual cost savings, as well as
the vessel population we estimated would benefit from each reduction in
paperwork or testing requirement.

Table 13--Maximum Potential Cost Savings per Vessel per Incident
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum
Total annual Vessel potential
Requirement cost savings population cost savings
per vessel
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written report of marine casualty............................... $8,216 316 $26
Additional Burden for 10% of Respondents........................ 32,320 32 1,010
SMI written report.............................................. 273 21 13
Testing Procedures.............................................. 4,649 21 221
-----------------------------------------------
Totals...................................................... 45,458 .............. 1,270
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The total cost savings per vessel for the population of 316 vessels
benefiting from this NPRM will vary depending on the requirements. For
example, we estimate that 32 of the vessels (10 percent of population,
rounded) would have savings due to a reduction in marine casualty
reports ($26) and an additional savings for the additional

[[Page 7764]]

burden of reviewing the paperwork ($1,010) in any given year.
Therefore, a one-time savings could be $1,036 for a vessel with only
these two requirements. The minimum savings would be $26 for a vessel
that only had the requirement of preparing and submitting the marine
casualty report. If a vessel would have had to complete all the
requirements in Table 13, the maximum cost savings would be $1,270.
This maximum cost savings would be for a vessel with a marine casualty
designated as an SMI that completed additional paperwork and reported
the chemical test results to the OCMI. Therefore, the owner or operator
of the 316 vessels impacted by this NPRM would have to have maximum
annual revenues of $2,600 to $127,000 for this NPRM to have a positive
impact greater than 1 percent.
Therefore, pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Coast Guard certifies that this NPRM would
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities because the increase in the monetized property damage
threshold amounts reduces the reporting burden on crewmembers or vessel
owners or operators who complete the marine casualty reports or perform
the required chemical testing, as described above. This NPRM would
reduce the hour burden associated with marine casualty reporting and
chemical testing and would not adversely impact small entities as
defined by the SBA in 13 CFR. 121.201. If you think that your business,
organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity
and that this NPRM would have a significant economic impact on it,
please submit a comment to the Docket Management Facility at the
address under the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM. In your comment,
explain why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this NPRM
would economically affect it.

C. Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we want to assist small
entities in understanding this NPRM so that they can better evaluate
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If you think
that the NPRM would affect your small business, organization, or
governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its
provisions or options for compliance, please consult with the Coast
Guard personnel listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this NPRM. 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 NPRM would call for a collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). As defined in 5
CFR 1320.3(c), ``collection of information'' comprises reporting,
recordkeeping, monitoring, posting, labeling, and other similar
actions. The title and description of the information collection, a
description of those who must collect the information, and an estimate
of the total annual burden follow.
Under the provisions of the NPRM, the Coast Guard would collect
information from ship personnel who are involved in marine casualties
resulting in more than $72,000 in property damage, and serious marine
incidents resulting in more than $200,000 in property damage. This
proposed requirement would amend an existing collection of information
by effectively reducing the number of instances requiring information
to be collected under OMB control number 1625-0001.
Title: Report of Marine Casualty & Chemical Testing of Commercial
Vessel Personnel.
OMB Control Number: 1625-0001.
Summary of the Collection of Information: This NPRM would require
responses such as the preparation of written notification in the form
of CG-2692 (series), and the processing of records. We use this
information to identify pertinent safety lessons and to initiate
appropriate steps for reducing the likelihood of similar accidents in
the future. The collection of information would aid the regulated
public in assuring safe practices.
Need for Information: These reporting requirements permit the Coast
Guard to initiate the immediate investigation of marine casualties as
required by 46 U.S.C. 6301, in order to determine the causes of
casualties and whether existing safety standards are adequate, or
whether new laws or regulations need to be developed. Receipt of a
marine casualty report is often the only way in which the Coast Guard
becomes aware of a marine casualty. It is therefore a necessary first
step that provides the Coast Guard with the opportunity to determine
the extent to which a casualty will be investigated.
Proposed Use of Information: In the short term, the information
provided in the report may also trigger corrective safety actions
addressing immediate hazards or defective conditions, further
investigations of mariner conduct or professional competence, or civil
or criminal enforcement actions by the Coast Guard, other Federal
agencies, or state and local authorities. In the long term, information
contained in the report becomes part of the MISLE marine casualty
database at Coast Guard Headquarters. The Coast Guard uses this
information in MISLE to identify safety problems and long term trends,
publish casualty summaries and annual statistics for public use,
establish whether additional safety oversight or regulation is needed,
measure the effectiveness of existing regulatory programs, and better
focus limited Coast Guard marine safety resources.
Description of the Respondents: The respondents are those owners,
agents, masters, operators, or persons in charge that notify the
nearest Sector Office, Marine Inspection Office, or Coast Guard Group
Office whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty.
Specifically, this NPRM would affect those vessel crewmembers and
marine employers who completed the necessary forms to report a marine
casualty where the only outcome was property damage of $25,000.01
through $72,000, or an SMI with property damage of $100,000.01 through
$200,000 (CG-2692 series).
Number of Respondents: We estimate the number of respondents would
be 5,651 per year. This is a decrease of 316 respondents from an OMB-
approved number of respondents of 5,967 per year. We estimate 250 of
these marine casualty respondents would fall under the category of SMI
respondents and be required to fill out an additional SMI written
report (CG-2692B). This is a decrease of 21 respondents per year from
271 respondents.
Frequency of Response: The notification response would be required
only if a marine casualty occurs as defined in 46 CFR 4.03-2 and 46 CFR
4.05-1.
Burden of Response: For each response, we estimate that it takes
about 1 hour for a vessel crewmember to complete all of the necessary
forms

[[Page 7765]]

(CG-2692 series). In addition, some marine casualty forms may undergo
additional processing by the respondents. To account for this
additional time, 10 percent of the forms submitted would have 10 hours
of additional burden.\20\ When a marine casualty is designated as an
SMI, the marine employer must also complete an SMI written report (CG-
2692B). We estimate that it takes about 0.5 hours for a respondent to
complete an SMI written report (CG-2692B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ The Coast Guard estimates that it takes up to 1 hour to
complete Form CG-2692 (series). However, we received public comments
in 2013 on COI number 1625-0001 stating that some submitters take
more time--up to 8 to 12 hours--to complete the form. Docket ID:
USCG-2011-0710, https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USCG-2011-0710.
The reason for this difference is that some entities have the
form(s) reviewed by shore-side personnel, such as an attorney, prior
to submission to the Coast Guard. The practice of having a form
reviewed by an attorney is not required by Coast Guard regulation.
While we believe that this does not typically occur, we adjusted our
burden estimate to account for the added review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimate of Total Annual Burden: We estimate that the number of
responses would decrease by 316 per year. At 1 hour per response, the
reduced burden for submitting the responses would be 316 hours. In
addition, 10 percent of these responses would have required additional
processing of 10 hours per response, for a reduction of an additional
320 burden hours.\21\ We estimate 21 of the responses would have been
designated as an SMI. At 0.5 hours per SMI, the burden would be reduced
by 11 hours (rounded). Therefore, this NPRM would decrease the total
annual burden by 647 hours.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\21\ Due to rounding in the estimates, the current burden for
the additional review is 5,970 hours. The burden under this NPRM is
5,650 hours, which is a reduction of 320 hours.
\22\ The current annual burden in COI 1625-0001 for completing
the marine casualty forms, the additional processing for some
respondents, and the time to complete the SMI forms is 12,073 hours.
The annual burden under this NPRM is 11,426 hours, a reduction of
647 hours.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As required by 44 U.S.C. 3507(d), we will submit a copy of this
NPRM to OMB for its review of the collection of information.
We ask for public comment on the proposed collection of information
to help us determine how useful the information is, whether it can help
us perform our functions better, whether it is readily available
elsewhere, how accurate our estimate of the burden of collection is'
how valid our methods for determining burden are, how we can improve
the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information, and how we can
minimize the burden of collection.
If you submit comments on the collection of information, submit
them both to OMB and to the Docket Management Facility where indicated
under the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM, by the date under the DATES
section.
You are not required to respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid control number from OMB. Before
the Coast Guard could enforce the collection of information
requirements in this NPRM, OMB would need to approve the Coast Guard's
request to collect this information.

E. Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under E.O. 13132
(``Federalism'') if it has a substantial direct effect on 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 NPRM under E.O. 13132 and have
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements as described in E.O.13132. Our
analysis follows.
It is well settled that States may not regulate in categories
reserved for regulation by the Coast Guard. It is also well settled
that Coast Guard regulations promulgated under the authority of 46
U.S.C. 6101 are within a field foreclosed from regulation by the
States. See U.S. v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89, 115-16 (2000) (stating
``Congress intended that the Coast Guard regulations be the sole source
of a vessel's [marine casualty] reporting obligations.'').
This NPRM would change the property damage threshold amounts for
reporting marine casualties and serious marine incidents, which is
within the sole purview of the Coast Guard to regulate pursuant to 46
U.S.C. 6101 and the principles discussed in Locke. Thus, the proposed
regulations are consistent with the principles of federalism and
preemption requirements in E.O. 13132.
While it is 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, we recognize the key role that State and local
governments may have in making regulatory determinations. Additionally,
for rules with federalism implications and preemptive effect, E.O 13132
specifically directs agencies to consult with State and local
governments during the rulemaking process. If you believe this NPRM has
implications for federalism under E.O. 13132, please contact the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 NPRM would not result
in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this NPRM
elsewhere in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

This NPRM would 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 NPRM 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 NPRM under E.O. 13045 (``Protection of
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks''). This NPRM
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 NPRM 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 NPRM under E.O. 13211 (``Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use''). We have determined that this NPRM 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

[[Page 7766]]

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 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 NPRM does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

M. Environment

We have analyzed this NPRM under Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f, and we have made a
preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of
actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant
effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis
checklist supporting this categorical exclusion determination is
available in the docket where indicated under the ``Public
Participation and Request for Comments'' section of this preamble.
This NPRM involves regulations concerning marine casualties and
proposes to update the monetary threshold amounts for a reportable
marine casualty as well as the definition of an SMI relative to
property damage. Thus, we expect that this NPRM would likely be
categorically excluded under Section 2.b.2 and figure 2-1, paragraph
34(d) of the Instruction. We seek any comments or information that may
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this
NPRM.

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 4

Administrative practice and procedure, Drug testing,
Investigations, Marine safety, National Transportation Safety Board,
Nuclear vessels, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Safety, Transportation.

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 46 CFR part 4 as follows:

TITLE 46--SHIPPING

PART 4--MARINE CASUALTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 4 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 2103,
2303a, 2306, 6101, 6301, and 6305; 50 U.S.C. 198; Department of
Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Subpart 4.40 issued under
49 U.S.C. 1903(a)(1)(E).

0
2. In Sec. 4.03-2, revise paragraph (a) (3) to read as follows:

Sec. 4.03-2 Serious marine incident.

(a) * * *
(3) Damage to property, as defined in Sec. 4.05-1(a)(7) of this
part, in excess of $200,000;
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 4.05-1, revise paragraph (a)(7) to read as follows:

Sec. 4.05-1 Notice of marine casualty.

(a) * * *
(7) An occurrence causing property-damage in excess of $72,000,
this damage including the cost of labor and material to restore the
property to its condition before the occurrence, but not including the
cost of salvage, cleaning, gas-freeing, drydocking, or demurrage.
* * * * *

Dated: January 13, 2017.
V.B. Gifford,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Inspections and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-01323 Filed 1-19-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.