[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 5834] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-3257] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket S-932] OMI Courier Transport, Inc.; OMI Patriot Transport, Inc.; OMI Rover Transport, Inc.; Notice of Application for Extension of the Subsidizable Life of the Patriot, Ranger, and Courier and for Extension or Renewal of Operating-Differential Subsidy Agreements, MA/MSB-167(a), (b), and (c) Using Unused Subsidy Days By application dated January 31, 1996, OMI Courier Transport, Inc.; OMI Patriot Transport, Inc.; and OMI Rover Transport, Inc. (OMI subsidiaries), recipients of operating-differential subsidy (ODS) pursuant to Operating-Differential Subsidy Agreements (ODSA), MA/MSB- 167(a), (b), (c), and (d) request: (1) The extension of the subsidizable life of the Patriot, Ranger, and Courier to the termination date of MA/MSB-167(d) on January 28, 1997, and (2) extension or renewal of ODSAs MA/MSB-167(a), (b), and (c) to permit the OMI subsidiaries to use unused subsidy days for the duration of the period through the termination of MA/MSB-167(d) on January 28, 1997. The OMI subsidiaries advise that their first request is to extend the subsidizable life of the Patriot, Ranger, and Courier in order to permit these vessels to remain in U.S.-flag service to the fullest extent possible. The OMI subsidiaries advise that their second request modifies their request of November 15, 1995, to extend or renew the ODSAs sufficiently to permit the full use of the OMI subsidiaries' unused subsidy days. This modification would permit the OMI subsidiaries to use unused subsidy days until the termination of MA/MSB-167(d). The OMI subsidiaries state that their request of November 15, 1995, to use the total number of unused subsidy days remains pending, but in the meantime approval of the more limited request would permit the OMI subsidiaries to plan for the continued operation of these vessels in U.S. flag service for at least another year. The OMI subsidiaries advise that permitting the use of unused subsidy days would preclude the need to establish a subsidy sharing arrangement among the four product tankers listed in the ODSAs and permit each vessel to take full advantage of any available U.S.-flag market opportunity. The OMI subsidiaries advise that maintaining the opportunity for these vessels to continue operation in the U.S. merchant marine for the full extent of periods for which OMI subsidiaries can receive ODS would further the purposes and policies of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, and help assure employment for U.S. seafarers for this period of time. This application may be inspected in the Office of the Secretary, Maritime Administration. Any person, firm or corporation having any interest in such request and desiring to submit comments concerning the application must file written comments in triplicate with the Secretary, Maritime Administration, Room 7210, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington D.C. 20590. Comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 1996. The Maritime Subsidy Board will consider any comments submitted and take such action with respect thereto as may be deemed appropriate. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 2.804 Operating- Differential Subsidies) By Order of the Maritime Subsidy Board. Dated: February 8, 1996. Joel C. Richard, Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-3257 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P