Document jgdr6QvOp7JZypgZd6K19eYky

:u;- \ Keller and Heckman llp MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: RE: Wendy Sherman Carol Moors Toth March 19, 1997 Recent: Federal Register Notices The following summarizes three recent Federal Register Notices (arranged by order of importance) that may be of interest to members of the Vinyl Chloride Panel, Transportation Committee. 1.. Final Rules Radar Obaarvar Endorsement for Operators of uninspected Towing Veeeela (COD 94-041), March 11, 1997, Federal Register, page 11298. The Coast Guard has issued a final rule in the above referenced proceeding that amends its rules requiring a radarobserver endorsement. This rule requires radar training for licensed masters, mates and operators of radar-equipped uninspected towing vessels 9 meters or more in length, Radar observer endorsements are divided into different levels -- unlimited, inland waters and GIWW, and rivers. An endorsement issued under this section is valid for 5 years from the month of issuance. This rule is effective March 11, 1997. RECOMMENDED ACTION BY COMMITTEE: None. 2. Meeting Notice* Safety Standards for Fire Protection for Shipyard Employment (Docket No. S-051), March 14, 1997 Federal Register, page 12133. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a public meeting of the Fire Protection for Shipyard Employment Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee which will be held April 8-10 at the Bollinger Shipyard, in Lockport Louisiana. osha ia using the negotiated rulemaking process to develop a 1 CMA 111639 proposed rule for fire protection covering all shipyard employment. The key issues to be addressed in this Rulemaking are anticipated to be-, (l) scope and application; 2[ ) controls and work practices; 13) fire brigades; (4) written fire plans; (5; technological advances; and (6) costs of fire protection. RECOMMENDED ACTION BY COMMITTEE STAFF! None at this time. For membership interest only in case local members wish to attend. The Committee should monitor development of this proceeding. 3. Meeting Notice 1 Minimum Requirements end Capabilities for Vessel Traffic Services, COD-97-014, March 13, 1997 Federal Register, page 11944. The Coast Guard is announcing a public meeting to be held on March 20, 1997 in Washington D.C. that will discuss minimum requirements and capabilities of a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). The meeting will be held at the National Academy of Sciences Green Building, Room 126. The Coast Guard will use information obtained from this meeting as the basis for developing a viable production program for a VTS that takes advantage of available, off-the-shelf and open architecture systems that are inexpensive and easy to build and operate. Once developed, this program will be presented to Congress for adoption and implementation. RECOMMENDED ACTION BY COMMITTEE: None at this time. For membership interest only. Input from the Committee members will determine whether it is necessary to further monitor this proceeding. ***** Additionally, for those members following the Tankermen Qualifications Revised Rule, it has not yet been published. The Coast Guard is obviously behind in its original goal of publishing this document by the end of February. I am still trying to confirm with the Coast Guard staff where the document is in the administrative process. In the meantime, please be assured that as soon as I become aware that the document has been issued, I will forward it to the Panel staff so that it can be forwarded to members. If you would like any further information on any of these items, please give me a call or email me at tothkhlaw.com. 2 CMA111640