Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, 44433-44435 [2017-20209]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Notices Coast Guard, National Maritime Center. Foreign nationals participating will be required to pre-register no later than 4 p.m. on October 4, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. U.S. citizens participating will be required to preregister no later than 4 p.m. on October 11, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. To pre-register, contact Mr. Davis Breyer at davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil or (202)372– 1445. You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number. In addition, please provide the company or group in which you are affiliated. Foreign nationals will also need to provide your country of citizenship, passport country, country of residence, place of birth, passport number, and expiration date. All attendees will be required to provide a REAL ID Actcompliant government-issued picture identification card in order to gain admittance to the building. For more information on REAL ID and to check the compliance status of your state/ territory, please see https:// www.dhs.gov/real-id and https:// www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs. For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the Alternate Designated Federal Officer as soon as possible using the contact information provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Instructions: You are free to submit comments at any time, including orally at the meetings, but if you want Committee members to review your comment before the meetings, please submit your comments no later than October 11, 2017. We are particularly interested in comments on the issues in the ‘‘Agenda’’ section below. You must include ‘‘Department of Homeland Security’’ and the docket number USCG–2017–0767. Written comments may also be submitted using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. If you encounter technical difficulties with comments submission, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below. Comments received will be posted without alteration at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You may review the Privacy and Security Notice for the Federal Docket Management System at https:// www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice. Docket Search: For access to the docket to read documents or comments related to this notice, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2017– 0767 in the ‘‘Search’’ box, press Enter, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 and then click on the item you wish to view. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Davis Breyer, Alternate Designated Federal Officer of the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE., Stop 7509, Washington, DC 20593–7509, telephone 202–372–1445, fax 202–372– 8382 or davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is pursuant with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5 United States Code Appendix. The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee Meeting is authorized by section 210 of the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–281, codified at 46 United States Code 7115). The Committee advises the Secretary on matters related to (a) medical certification determinations for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariners’ documents; (b) medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; (c) medical examiner education; and (d) medical research. Agenda Day 1 The agenda for the October 18, 2017, meeting is as follows: (1) Opening remarks from the Designated Federal Officer. (2) Opening remarks from U.S. Coast Guard leadership. (3) Roll call of Committee members and determination of a quorum. (4) National Maritime Center brief. (5) Public comment period. (6) Working Groups will separately address the following task statements which are available for viewing at https://homeport.uscg.mil/medmac. (a) Task statement 15–13, Mariner Occupational Health Risk Study Analysis. This is a duplicate task statement with the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; (b) Task statement 16–24, requesting recommendations on appropriate diets and wellness for mariners while aboard merchant vessels; (c) Task statement 17–25, requesting recommendations on functions that would be useful to the mariner, ashore and afloat regarding their medical certification; (d) Task statement 17–26, Input to Support Regulatory Reform of Coast Guard Regulations-Executive Orders 13771 and 13783. (7) Adjournment of meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44433 Day 2 The agenda for the October 19, 2017, meeting is as follows: (1) Committee work update. (2) Continue work on task statements. (3) Public comment period. (4) The Working Groups report, and if applicable, make recommendations for the full Committee to consider for presentation to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Committee may deliberate and vote on the Working Group’s recommendations on this date. The public will have an opportunity to speak after each Working Group’s Report before the full Committee takes any action on each report. (5) Closing remarks/plans for next meeting. (6) Adjournment of Meeting. A copy of all meeting documentation will be available at https://homeport. uscg.mil/medmac no later than October 11, 2017. Alternatively, you may contact Mr. Davis Breyer as noted in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section above. Public comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker. Please note that the public comment periods will end following the last call for comments. Contact Mr. Davis Breyer as indicated in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document to register as a speaker. Please note that the meeting may adjourn early if the work is completed. Dated: September 18, 2017. Jeffrey G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards. [FR Doc. 2017–20208 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG–2017–0768] Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its Working Groups will meet to discuss various issues related to the training and fitness of merchant marine personnel. The meetings will be open to the public. DATES: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its Working Groups are scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 26, 2017, from 8 a.m. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 44434 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Notices until 5:30 p.m., and the full Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday October 27, 2017, from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please note that these meetings may adjourn early if the Committee has completed its business. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center in the Dales Larson Room on the third floor, 100 Forbes Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404–0001 (https:// www.uscg.mil/nmc/). Pre-registration Information: Preregistration is required for access to U.S. Coast Guard, National Maritime Center. Foreign nationals participating will be required to pre-register no later than 4 p.m. on October 11, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. U.S. citizens participating will be required to preregister no later than 4 p.m. on October 18, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. To pre-register, contact Mr. Davis Breyer at davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil or (202) 372– 1445. You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number. In addition, please provide the company or group in which you are affiliated. Foreign nationals will also need to provide your country of citizenship, passport country, country of residence, place of birth, passport number, and expiration date. All attendees will be required to provide a REAL ID Actcompliant government-issued picture identification card in order to gain admittance to the building. For more information on REAL ID and to check the compliance status of your state/ territory, please see https:// www.dhs.gov/real-id and https:// www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs. For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the Alternate Designated Federal Officer as soon as possible using the contact information provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Instructions: You are free to submit comments at any time, including orally at the meetings, but if you want Committee members to review your comment before the meetings, please submit your comments no later than October 18, 2017. We are particularly interested in comments on the issues in the ‘‘Agenda’’ section below. You must include ‘‘Department of Homeland Security’’ and the docket number USCG–2017–0768. Written comments may also be submitted using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. If you encounter technical difficulties with comments submission, contact the individual VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section below. Comments received will be posted without alteration at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You may review the Privacy and Security Notice for the Federal Docket Management System at https:// www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice. Docket Search: For access to the docket to read documents or comments related to this notice, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2017– 0768 in the ‘‘Search’’ box, press Enter, and then click on the item you wish to view. CONTACT Mr. Davis Breyer, Alternate Designated Federal Officer of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE., Stop 7509, Washington, DC 20593–7509, telephone 202–372–1445, fax 202–372– 8382 or davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Notice of this meeting is given pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5 United States Code Appendix. The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee was established under authority of section 310 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, codified at Title 46, United States Code, section 8108, and chartered under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix). The Committee acts solely in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States merchant marine, including training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness standards and other matters as assigned by the Commandant. The Committee shall also review and comment on proposed U.S. Coast Guard regulations and policies relating to personnel in the United States merchant marine, including training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness standards; may be given special assignments by the Secretary and may conduct studies, inquiries, workshops, and fact finding in consultation with individuals and groups in the private sector and with State or local governments; and shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations reflecting its independent judgment to the Secretary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Agenda Day 1 The agenda for the October 26, 2017, meeting is as follows: (1) The full Committee will meet briefly to discuss the Working Groups’ business/task statements, which are listed under paragraph 3(a)–(h) below. (2) Working Groups will separately address the following task statements which are available for viewing at https://homeport.uscg.mil/merpac: (a) Task Statement 87, Review of policy documents providing guidance on the implementation of the December 24, 2013, International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers rulemaking; (b) Task Statement 96, Review and comment on the course and program approval requirements including 46 CFR 10.402, 10.403, 10.407 and Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03–14 guidelines for approval of training courses and programs; (c) Task Statement 98, Continue the progress made by the military services towards meeting the goals on the use of Military Education, Training and Assessment for STCW and National Mariner Endorsements as identified in the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 and subsequent legislation; (d) Task Statement 99, Review and comment on the ‘‘Guidelines for Issuing Endorsement for Tankerman PIC Restricted to Fuel Transfers on Towing Vessels’’ policy letter (CG–MMC Policy Letter No. 01–17); (e) Task Statement 100, Provide input to MARAD’s working group that will examine and assess the size of the pool of U.S. mariners necessary to support the U.S. flag fleet in times of national emergency; (f) Task Statement 101, Provide feedback and avenues to further enhance open communication between external stakeholders and the U.S. Coast Guard’s mariner credentialing program regarding all aspects of the program; (g) Task Statement 102, Consider and make recommendations regarding the current requirement for a U.S. Merchant Mariner to read and write using English; (h) Task Statement 103, Input to Support Regulatory Reform of Coast Guard Regulations-Executive Orders 13771 and 13783. (3) Public comment period. (4) Reports of Working Groups. At the end of the day, the Working Groups will report to the full Committee on what was accomplished in their meetings. The full Committee will not take action on these reports on this date. Any official action taken as a result of these E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Notices Working Group meetings will be taken on day two of the meeting. (5) Adjournment of meeting. Day 2 The agenda for the October 27, 2017, full Committee meeting is as follows: (1) Introduction. (2) Swear in newly appointed Committee members. (3) Remarks from U.S. Coast Guard Leadership. (4) Designated Federal Officer announcements. (5) Roll call of Committee members and determination of a quorum. (6) Reports from the following Working Groups: (a) Task Statement 87, Review of policy documents providing guidance on the implementation of the December 24, 2013, International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers rulemaking; (b) Task Statement 96, Review and comment on the course and program approval requirements including 46 CFR 10.402, 10.403, 10.407 and Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03–14 guidelines for approval of training courses and programs; (c) Task Statement 98, continue the progress made by the military services towards meeting the goals on the use of Military Education, Training and Assessment for STCW and National Mariner Endorsements as identified in the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 and subsequent legislation; (d) Task Statement 99, Review and comment on the ‘‘Guidelines for Issuing Endorsement for Tankerman PIC Restricted to Fuel Transfers on Towing Vessels’’ policy letter (CG–MMC Policy Letter No. 01–17); (e) Task Statement 100, Provide input to MARAD’s working group that will examine and assess the size of the pool of U.S. mariners necessary to support the U.S. flag fleet in times of national emergency; (f) Task Statement 101, Provide feedback and avenues to further enhance open communication between external stakeholders and the U.S. Coast Guard’s mariner credentialing program regarding all aspects of the program; (g) Task Statement 102, consider and make recommendations regarding the current requirement for a U.S. Merchant Mariner to read and write using English; (h) Task Statement 103, Input to Support Regulatory Reform of Coast Guard Regulations-Executive Orders 13771 and 13783. (7) Other items for discussion: (a) Report on the Mariner Credentialing Program; VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 (b) Report on National Maritime Center activities from the National Maritime Center Commanding Officer, such as medical requirements and legal authorities; (c) Briefings about on-going U.S. Coast Guard projects related to personnel in the U.S. merchant marine. (8) Public comment period. (9) Discussion of Working Group recommendations. The Committee will review the information presented on each issue, deliberate on any recommendations presented by the Working Groups, approve/formulate recommendations and close any completed tasks. Official action on these recommendations may be taken on this date. (10) Closing remarks/plans for next meeting. (11) Adjournment of meeting. A public comment period will be held during each Working Group and full Committee meeting concerning matters being discussed. A copy of all meeting documentation will be available at https:// homeport.uscg.mil/merpac no later than October 18, 2017. Alternatively, you may contact Mr. Davis Breyer as noted in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section above. Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. Please note that the public comment periods will end following the last call for comments. Please contact Mr. Davis Breyer, listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, to register as a speaker. Please note that the meeting may adjourn early if the work is completed. Dated: September 18, 2017. Jeffrey G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards. [FR Doc. 2017–20209 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA–3388– EM; Docket ID FEMA–2017–0001] Seminole Tribe of Florida; Emergency and Related Determinations Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the Seminole Tribe of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44435 Florida (FEMA–3388–EM), dated September 8, 2017, and related determinations. The declaration was issued September 8, 2017. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646–2833. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated September 8, 2017, the President issued an emergency declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121–5207 (the Stafford Act), as follows: I have determined that the emergency conditions in the lands associated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida resulting from Hurricane Irma beginning on September 4, 2017, and continuing, are of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (‘‘the Stafford Act’’). Therefore, I declare that such an emergency exists for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and associated lands. You are authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, you are authorized to provide assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance is supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs. Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration for the approved assistance to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, Department of Homeland Security, under Executive Order 12148, ´ as amended, Justo Hernandez, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared emergency. The following areas have been designated as adversely affected by this declared emergency: The Seminole Tribe of Florida and associated lands for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) are to be used E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44433-44435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20209]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0768]


Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee

AGENCY: U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its 
Working Groups will meet to discuss various issues related to the 
training and fitness of merchant marine personnel. The meetings will be 
open to the public.

DATES: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its Working 
Groups are scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 26, 2017, from 8 a.m.

[[Page 44434]]

until 5:30 p.m., and the full Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday 
October 27, 2017, from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please note that these 
meetings may adjourn early if the Committee has completed its business.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the U.S. Coast Guard National 
Maritime Center in the Dales Larson Room on the third floor, 100 Forbes 
Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404-0001 (https://www.uscg.mil/nmc/).
    Pre-registration Information: Pre-registration is required for 
access to U.S. Coast Guard, National Maritime Center. Foreign nationals 
participating will be required to pre-register no later than 4 p.m. on 
October 11, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. U.S. citizens 
participating will be required to pre-register no later than 4 p.m. on 
October 18, 2017, to be admitted to the meeting. To pre-register, 
contact Mr. Davis Breyer at davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil or (202) 372-1445. 
You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number. In 
addition, please provide the company or group in which you are 
affiliated. Foreign nationals will also need to provide your country of 
citizenship, passport country, country of residence, place of birth, 
passport number, and expiration date. All attendees will be required to 
provide a REAL ID Act-compliant government-issued picture 
identification card in order to gain admittance to the building. For 
more information on REAL ID and to check the compliance status of your 
state/territory, please see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.
    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the Alternate Designated Federal Officer as soon as possible using the 
contact information provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.
    Instructions: You are free to submit comments at any time, 
including orally at the meetings, but if you want Committee members to 
review your comment before the meetings, please submit your comments no 
later than October 18, 2017. We are particularly interested in comments 
on the issues in the ``Agenda'' section below. You must include 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the docket number USCG-2017-
0768. Written comments may also be submitted using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If you encounter 
technical difficulties with comments submission, contact the individual 
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below. Comments 
received will be posted without alteration at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You 
may review the Privacy and Security Notice for the Federal Docket 
Management System at https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice.
    Docket Search: For access to the docket to read documents or 
comments related to this notice, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type 
USCG-2017-0768 in the ``Search'' box, press Enter, and then click on 
the item you wish to view.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Davis Breyer, Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, 
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE., Stop 7509, Washington, DC 20593-
7509, telephone 202-372-1445, fax 202-372-8382 or 
davis.j.breyer@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given pursuant to 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5 United States Code 
Appendix.
    The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee was established 
under authority of section 310 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, codified at Title 46, United 
States Code, section 8108, and chartered under the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix). 
The Committee acts solely in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of 
the Department of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the U.S. 
Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States 
merchant marine, including training, qualifications, certification, 
documentation, and fitness standards and other matters as assigned by 
the Commandant. The Committee shall also review and comment on proposed 
U.S. Coast Guard regulations and policies relating to personnel in the 
United States merchant marine, including training, qualifications, 
certification, documentation, and fitness standards; may be given 
special assignments by the Secretary and may conduct studies, 
inquiries, workshops, and fact finding in consultation with individuals 
and groups in the private sector and with State or local governments; 
and shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations reflecting its 
independent judgment to the Secretary.

Agenda

Day 1

    The agenda for the October 26, 2017, meeting is as follows:
    (1) The full Committee will meet briefly to discuss the Working 
Groups' business/task statements, which are listed under paragraph 
3(a)-(h) below.
    (2) Working Groups will separately address the following task 
statements which are available for viewing at https://homeport.uscg.mil/merpac:
    (a) Task Statement 87, Review of policy documents providing 
guidance on the implementation of the December 24, 2013, International 
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers rulemaking;
    (b) Task Statement 96, Review and comment on the course and program 
approval requirements including 46 CFR 10.402, 10.403, 10.407 and 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03-14 guidelines for approval 
of training courses and programs;
    (c) Task Statement 98, Continue the progress made by the military 
services towards meeting the goals on the use of Military Education, 
Training and Assessment for STCW and National Mariner Endorsements as 
identified in the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Act of 2014 and subsequent legislation;
    (d) Task Statement 99, Review and comment on the ``Guidelines for 
Issuing Endorsement for Tankerman PIC Restricted to Fuel Transfers on 
Towing Vessels'' policy letter (CG-MMC Policy Letter No. 01-17);
    (e) Task Statement 100, Provide input to MARAD's working group that 
will examine and assess the size of the pool of U.S. mariners necessary 
to support the U.S. flag fleet in times of national emergency;
    (f) Task Statement 101, Provide feedback and avenues to further 
enhance open communication between external stakeholders and the U.S. 
Coast Guard's mariner credentialing program regarding all aspects of 
the program;
    (g) Task Statement 102, Consider and make recommendations regarding 
the current requirement for a U.S. Merchant Mariner to read and write 
using English;
    (h) Task Statement 103, Input to Support Regulatory Reform of Coast 
Guard Regulations-Executive Orders 13771 and 13783.
    (3) Public comment period.
    (4) Reports of Working Groups. At the end of the day, the Working 
Groups will report to the full Committee on what was accomplished in 
their meetings. The full Committee will not take action on these 
reports on this date. Any official action taken as a result of these

[[Page 44435]]

Working Group meetings will be taken on day two of the meeting.
    (5) Adjournment of meeting.

Day 2

    The agenda for the October 27, 2017, full Committee meeting is as 
follows:
    (1) Introduction.
    (2) Swear in newly appointed Committee members.
    (3) Remarks from U.S. Coast Guard Leadership.
    (4) Designated Federal Officer announcements.
    (5) Roll call of Committee members and determination of a quorum.
    (6) Reports from the following Working Groups:
    (a) Task Statement 87, Review of policy documents providing 
guidance on the implementation of the December 24, 2013, International 
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers rulemaking;
    (b) Task Statement 96, Review and comment on the course and program 
approval requirements including 46 CFR 10.402, 10.403, 10.407 and 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03-14 guidelines for approval 
of training courses and programs;
    (c) Task Statement 98, continue the progress made by the military 
services towards meeting the goals on the use of Military Education, 
Training and Assessment for STCW and National Mariner Endorsements as 
identified in the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
Act of 2014 and subsequent legislation;
    (d) Task Statement 99, Review and comment on the ``Guidelines for 
Issuing Endorsement for Tankerman PIC Restricted to Fuel Transfers on 
Towing Vessels'' policy letter (CG-MMC Policy Letter No. 01-17);
    (e) Task Statement 100, Provide input to MARAD's working group that 
will examine and assess the size of the pool of U.S. mariners necessary 
to support the U.S. flag fleet in times of national emergency;
    (f) Task Statement 101, Provide feedback and avenues to further 
enhance open communication between external stakeholders and the U.S. 
Coast Guard's mariner credentialing program regarding all aspects of 
the program;
    (g) Task Statement 102, consider and make recommendations regarding 
the current requirement for a U.S. Merchant Mariner to read and write 
using English;
    (h) Task Statement 103, Input to Support Regulatory Reform of Coast 
Guard Regulations-Executive Orders 13771 and 13783.
    (7) Other items for discussion:
    (a) Report on the Mariner Credentialing Program;
    (b) Report on National Maritime Center activities from the National 
Maritime Center Commanding Officer, such as medical requirements and 
legal authorities;
    (c) Briefings about on-going U.S. Coast Guard projects related to 
personnel in the U.S. merchant marine.
    (8) Public comment period.
    (9) Discussion of Working Group recommendations.
    The Committee will review the information presented on each issue, 
deliberate on any recommendations presented by the Working Groups, 
approve/formulate recommendations and close any completed tasks. 
Official action on these recommendations may be taken on this date.
    (10) Closing remarks/plans for next meeting.
    (11) Adjournment of meeting.
    A public comment period will be held during each Working Group and 
full Committee meeting concerning matters being discussed.
    A copy of all meeting documentation will be available at https://homeport.uscg.mil/merpac no later than October 18, 2017. Alternatively, 
you may contact Mr. Davis Breyer as noted in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION section above.
    Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. 
Please note that the public comment periods will end following the last 
call for comments. Please contact Mr. Davis Breyer, listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, to register as a speaker.
    Please note that the meeting may adjourn early if the work is 
completed.

    Dated: September 18, 2017.
Jeffrey G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2017-20209 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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