42102 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2013 / Notices

Developing strategies to facilitate the Dated: June 21, 2013. watchkeeping requirement within the recovery of the MTS after a J.C. O’Connor III, Global Maritime Distress and Safety Transportation Security Incident; Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Maritime System (GMDSS), an internationally Developing and describing the process Security Coordinator Boston. agreed-upon set of satellite and to continually evaluate overall port [FR Doc. 2013–16802 Filed 7–12–13; 8:45 am] terrestrial communications systems security by considering consequences BILLING CODE 9110–04–P used to increase safety and facilitate the and vulnerabilities, how they may location and rescue of distressed ships, change over time, and what additional boats and aircraft. Under GMDSS, ship mitigation strategies can be applied; and DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND and shore exclusive watchkeeping on Providing advice to, and assisting the SECURITY MF 2182 kHz was no longer a Captain of the Port in developing and requirement, but instead became only Coast Guard maintaining the AMS Plan. one of several frequencies available for [Docket No. USCG–2013–0521] distress communications. AMSC Composition No domestic regulations exist Termination of Radiotelephone requiring the Coast Guard to provide MF The composition of an AMSC, to Medium Frequency 2182 kHz distress safety watchkeeping services, include the Boston AMSC and its Watchkeeping, 2187.5 kHz Digital although Federal Communications subcommittees, is controlled by 33 CFR Selective Calling Channel Guard, and Commission regulations in 47 CFR Part 103.305. Accordingly, members may be 2670 kHz Broadcasts 80 mandate certain carriage selected from the Federal, Territorial, or requirements in order to communicate Tribal government; the State ACTION: Notice. in an emergency. SOLAS requires the government and political subdivisions SUMMARY: The United States Coast Coast Guard to provide, as it deems of the State; local public safety, crisis practical and necessary, appropriate management, and emergency response Guard is announcing that it will no longer maintain a watch on 2182 kHz, shore-based facilities for GMDSS agencies; law enforcement and security services including those in the 1.6–4 organizations; maritime industry, will no longer guard the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) channel 2187.5 MHz range (SOLAS). The Coast Guard, including labor; other port stakeholders in cooperation with other agencies and having a special competence in kHz, and will no longer transmit Marine Information Broadcasts on 2670 kHz. organizations, provides each of the other maritime security; and port stakeholders five services listed in SOLAS affected by security practices and The minimal use of these channels by mariners for distress and safety coupled regulations, including satellite policies. Also, members of the Boston communications, support for 406 MHz AMSC must have at least 5 years of with antenna site deterioration, costly upkeep, and extensive maintenance satellite emergency position-indicating experience related to maritime or port radio beacons (EPIRBs), VHF security operations. required to support the medium frequency (MF) system have led to a communications through Rescue 21, AMSC Membership Coast Guard decision to terminate the high frequency radiocommunications, 1 MF services and direct the public and NAVTEX broadcasts of maritime The Boston AMSC has 29 members mariner to use more modern safety and safety information. who represent Federal, State, local, and distress services which can be more While many countries terminated industry stakeholders from reliably received by the Coast Guard. 2182 kHz watchkeeping from shore when GMDSS was implemented in Massachusetts. We are seeking to fill 7 DATES: The termination announced in 1999, the Coast Guard continued its positions with this solicitation. this notice is effective on August 1, watch on this frequency to support Applicants may be required to pass an 2013. smaller vessels not subject to SOLAS appropriate security background check FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For that operate between approximately 20 prior to appointment to the committee. questions on this Notice, contact Larry and 100 miles from shore. Members’ terms of office will be for 5 S. Solomon, Spectrum Management and Advancements in satellite, digital, very years; however, a member is eligible to Telecommunications Policy Counsel high frequency (VHF), and high serve additional terms of office. (Commandant CG–652) telephone: 202– frequency (HF) radio communication Members will not receive any salary or 475–3556; email: equipment, including satellite service other compensation for their service on [email protected]. provider competition, have improved an AMSC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The service and reduced costs of this Request for Applications frequency 2182 kHz (which is in the equipment causing MF radiotelephone frequency band generally referred to as to become obsolete. Those seeking membership are not medium frequency (MF)), was In addition, a detailed review of required to submit formal applications designated more than 65 years ago at the several Coast Guard MF sites revealed to the local Captain of the Port, International Telecommunications significant antenna ground deterioration however, because we do have an Union Radio Conference (Atlantic City, and infrastructure support degradation, obligation to ensure that a specific 1947) as an international radiotelephone leaving the Coast Guard at risk for not number of members have the distress frequency. Shore stations that being able to receive or respond to prerequisite maritime security operated in this MF band, and ships maritime distress calls on 2182 kHz or experience, we encourage the subject to the International Convention 2187.5 kHz, and not being able to submission of resumes highlighting for the Safety of Life at Sea Ch. IV, Reg. transmit effectively on 2670 kHz. Early experience in the maritime and security 5 (SOLAS) were required to maintain a last year, as a result of physical site industries. watch on this frequency. surveys, the Coast Guard confirmed the In support of the USCG policy on Beginning in 1987, the International 1 gender and ethnic nondiscrimination, NAVTEX is a broadcast warning system that Telecommunications Union Radio delivers navigational warnings, meteorological we encourage qualified women and men Regulations and SOLAS were amended warnings and forecasts, and other marine safety of all racial and ethnic groups to apply. to incorporate this MF radiotelephone information.

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significant site deterioration and, from shore, any vessel that operates DATES: Written comments should be therefore, the unreliability of receiving more than 20 nautical miles from the received on or before August 14, 2013 MF distress transmissions at many coast should carry to be assured of consideration. locations. The Coast Guard provided radiocommunications equipment ADDRESSES: Interested persons are notifications of the situation to mariners capable of tuning to distress frequencies invited to submit written comments on using Local Notice to Mariners and other than VHF to ensure the vessel is this information collection to the Office radio broadcasts. The Coast Guard did able to make a distress call when of Information and Regulatory Affairs, not receive any adverse reaction to those needed. Office of Management and Budget. notifications. All vessel owners and operators are Comments should be addressed to the The site deterioration, costly upkeep, strongly advised to check their OMB Desk Officer for U.S. Customs and and extensive maintenance required to communication equipment regularly to Border Protection, Department of support this legacy MF system, as well ensure it is properly installed, operating Homeland Security, and sent via as the relatively minimal use by and tuned to the most reliable distress electronic mail to mariners, has led the Coast Guard to channels. For more information visit the [email protected] or faxed decide to discontinue support of the MF Coast Guard’s Navigation Center Web to (202) 395–5806. system. The Coast Guard will site at www.navcen.uscg.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: discontinue all watchkeeping and Authority Maria Lloyd, U.S. Customs and Border transmissions on MF channels, namely Protection, Regulations and Rulings, This notice is issued under authority the 2182 kHz voice channel, the 2187.5 Office of International Trade, 90 K of 14 U.S.C. 93(a)(16) and 5 U.S.C. kHz Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Street NE., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 552(a). channel and Marine Information 20229–1177, at 202–325–0369. Broadcasts (MIBs) on 2670 kHz. Dated: July 9, 2013. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP Mariners have several increasingly Alfredo Mistichelli, low cost and commonly available invites the general public and affected U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Federal agencies to submit written alternatives to using MF distress and Information Assurance and Spectrum Policy, non-distress channels. Instead of relying comments and suggestions on proposed Commandant (CG–65). and/or continuing information on 2182 kHz voice and 2187.5 kHz DSC, [FR Doc. 2013–16801 Filed 7–12–13; 8:45 am] mariners can tune their existing HF collection requests pursuant to the BILLING CODE 9110–04–P radios to other GMDSS radiotelephone Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. distress voice frequencies the Coast L. 104–13). Your comments should Guard monitors (i.e., 4125, 6215, 8291, address one of the following four points: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND (1) Evaluate whether the proposed or 12290 kHz voice), use satellite-based SECURITY collection of information is necessary communication for EPIRB and voice for the proper performance of the communications, or use HF radios U.S. Customs and Border Protection functions of the agency/component, equipped with DSC. The information in including whether the information will the 2670 kHz broadcasts (weather Agency Information Collection have practical utility; forecasts and warnings, Notice to Activities: African Growth and (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the Mariners, and urgent marine Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin agencies/components estimate of the information broadcasts) will continue to AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border burden of the proposed collection of be available from other broadcast Protection, Department of Homeland information, including the validity of sources (e.g., SafetyNet 2, NAVTEX, Security. the methodology and assumptions used; VHF) and online. The Coast Guard urges (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and mariners to use these other alternatives ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for clarity of the information to be to the MF channels for distress calls, comments; Extension of an existing information collection: 1651–0082. collected; and DSC calls, and information broadcasts. (4) Minimize the burden of the Mariners should not need to purchase SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border collections of information on those who any new equipment to make this change Protection (CBP) will be submitting the are to respond, including the use of from 2182 kHz to other GMDSS distress following information collection request appropriate automated, electronic, frequencies. Most radiocommunications to the Office of Management and Budget mechanical, or other technological equipment carried by vessels is able to (OMB) for review and approval in techniques or other forms of operate in the 2–27.5 MHz range in accordance with the Paperwork information. addition to the VHF radiotelephone also Reduction Act: African Growth and Title: African Growth and carried by ships. While some older Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin Opportunity Act Certificate of Origin. radios may not tune to other (AGOA). This is a proposed extension of OMB Number: 1651–0082. frequencies, these radios are no longer an information collection that was Form Number: None. sold, parts are not available for repairing previously approved. CBP is proposing Abstract: The African Growth and them and they are not typically found that this information collection be Opportunity Act (AGOA) was adopted on vessels. Therefore, the overwhelming extended with a change to the burden by the United States with the enactment majority of vessels simply need to tune hours. This document is published to of the Trade and Development Act of their radios from 2182 kHz to another obtain comments from the public and 2000 (Pub. L. 106–200). The objectives GMDSS distress frequency (such as affected agencies. This information of AGOA are (1) to provide for extension 4125, 6215, 8291, or 12290 kHz). collection was previously published in of duty-free treatment under the Because VHF frequencies may not be the Federal Register (78 FR 26650) on Generalized System of Preferences reliable more than 20 nautical miles May 7, 2013, allowing for a 60-day (GSP) to import sensitive articles comment period. This notice allows for normally excluded from GSP duty 2 SafetyNET is a satellite-based broadcast warning system that delivers high seas navigational an additional 30 days for public treatment, and (2) to provide for the warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts, comments. This process is conducted in entry of specific textile and apparel ice reports, and other marine safety information. accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. articles free of duty and free of any

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