[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 19935-19936] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-10658] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary 49 CFR Part 1 [OST Docket No. 1; Amdt. 1-287] Organization and Delegation of Powers and Duties Delegation to the Commandant, United States Coast Guard AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary of Transportation is delegating to the Commandant, United States Coast Guard, the authority contained in 46 U.S.C. 3203-3205 and 46 U.S.C. 3103. This authority pertains to the approval, certification, and enforcement of safety management systems for vessels engaged in foreign trade, and to the Secretary's reliance on reports, documents and records of other persons determined to be reliable by the Secretary, and other methods determined to be reliable by the Secretary, as evidence of compliance with Title 46, subtitle II. In order that the Code of Federal Regulations reflect this delegation, a change is necessary. DATES: April 24, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Gauvin, Operating and Environmental Standards (G-MSO), [[Page 19936]] U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593, (202) 267-1053; or Ms. Gwynneth Radloff, Office of General Counsel, C-50, (202) 366-9305 Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 104-324 is the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 (the Act). Section 602 of the Act, amends Title 46 by adding sections 3203-3205. Section 3203 requires the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations that establish a safety management system consistent with the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention under chapter IX of the Annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (International Safety Management Code). Section 3204 requires the Secretary to review and approve safety management plans. Section 3205 requires the Secretary to issue safety management certificates and documents of compliance, and verify and enforce compliance with the safety management system. This section also requires the Secretary to conduct a study and submit a report to the Congress on the methods that may be used to implement and enforce the International Safety Management Code. This rule amends 49 CFR 1.46 by adding new paragraph (fff) to reflect the delegation of the Secretary's authority under 46 U.S.C. 3202, 3204, and 3205. Section 603 of the Act (46 U.S.C. 3103), authorizes the Secretary to rely on reports, documents, and records of other persons determined by the Secretary to be reliable, and other methods determined by the Secretary to be reliable, as evidence of compliance with title 46, subtitle II. This rule amends 49 CFR 1.46 by adding new paragraph (ggg) to reflect the delegation of the Secretary's authority under 46 U.S.C. 3103. Since this amendment relates to departmental management, organization, procedure, and practice, notice and comment on it are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. 553(b). Further, since the amendment expedites the Coast Guard's ability to meet the needs of the U.S. maritime industry, the Secretary finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) for the final rule to be effective on the date of publication in the Federal Register. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1 Authority delegations (Government agencies), Organization and functions (Government agencies). In consideration of the foregoing, Part 1 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended to read as follows: PART 1--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for Part 1 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322; Pub.L. 101-552, 28 U.S.C. 2672, 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(2). 2. Section 1.46 is amended by adding the following paragraphs (fff) and (ggg) to read as follows: Sec. 1.46 Delegations to Commandant of the Coast Guard. * * * * * (fff) Carry out the functions and responsibilities and exercise the authorities vested in the Secretary by 46 U.S.C. 3203-3205 (safety management system, implementation of safety management system, and certification), that pertain to the approval, certification, and enforcement of safety management systems for vessels engaged in foreign trade. (ggg) Carry out the functions and exercise the authorities vested in the Secretary by 46 U.S.C. 3103 to rely on reports, documents, and records of other persons determined by the Secretary to be reliable, and other methods determined by the Secretary to be reliable, as evidence of compliance with title 46, subtitle II (46 U.S.C. 3103). Issued at Washington, DC this 15th day of April 1997. Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of Transportation. [FR Doc. 97-10658 Filed 4-23-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-62-P