Request for Comments on the Approval of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Requirements for Eligibility of U.S.-Flag Vessels of 100 Feet or Greater in Registered Length To Obtain a Fishery Endorsement

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information collection is necessary for MARAD to determine that a particular vessel is owned and controlled by United States citizens and is eligible to receive a fishery endorsement to its documentation. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before December 6, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MARAD-2019-0156 through one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Search using the above DOT docket number and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael C. Pucci, (202) 366-5167, Division of Maritime Programs, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Email: michael.pucci@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Requirements for Eligibility of U.S.-Flag Vessels of 100 Feet or Greater in Registered Length to Obtain a Fishery Endorsement.

OMB Control Number: 2133-0530.

Type of Request: Renewal of a previously approved information collection.

Abstract: In accordance with the American Fisheries Act of 1998, owners of vessels of 100 feet or greater who wish to obtain a fishery endorsement to the vessels' documentation are required to file with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) an Affidavit of United States Citizenship. The information collected will be used by MARAD to determine that a vessel is owned and controlled by citizens of the United States in accordance with the requirements of the American Fisheries Act (AFA) of 1998 and, therefore, is eligible to be documented with a fishery endorsement to its documentation.

Respondents: Certain vessel owners, vessel operators, financial institutions, and professional trusts.

Affected Public: Vessel owners, charterers, mortgagees, mortgage trustees and managers of vessels of 100 feet or greater who seek a fishery endorsement for the vessel.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.

Estimated Number of Responses: 500.

Annual Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2950.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Public Comments Invited: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the Department's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for the Department to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.49.