[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52673-52674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26697]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 183
[CGD 97-060]
Standards for Navigation Lights Used on Recreational Boats
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document solicits comments concerning the desirability of
requiring manufacturers and importers of navigation lights used on
recreational boats to construct and label their lights in accordance
with a recognized industry standard. A request for public input was the
recommendation of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 97-060), U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may
be delivered to room 3406 at the above address between 8 a.m. and 3
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is (202) 267-1477.
The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this
notice. Comments will become a part of this docket and will be
available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Randolph Doubt, Project Manager, Recreational Boating Product
Assurance Division, (202) 267-0984.
You may obtain a copy of this notice by calling the U.S. Coast
Guard Infoline at 1-800-368-5647, or read it on the Internet at the Web
Site for the Office of Boating Safety at URL address
www.uscgboating.org/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages you to submit comments about this
document. Please include your name and address, identify this notice
(CGD 97-060) and the specific section of this document to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit
two copies of all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, to assist us with copying and
electronic filing. If you want us to acknowledge receiving your
comments, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope.
Background Information
Prior to April 1997, manufacturers of navigation lights for
recreational vessels could voluntarily apply for a Coast Guard ``letter
of acceptance'' for each light fixture placed on the market, and if
granted, the manufacturer could state that the light was ``USCG
Accepted'' on the package. The letter of acceptance was an indication
that the Coast Guard had reviewed a laboratory report submitted by the
light manufacturer and that based on a comparison of the report with
the navigation rules, the Coast Guard did not object to the item being
offered for sale to the boating public. Since letters of acceptance
were never a requirement, were not equivalent to ``USCG Approval'' and
were therefore a source of confusion, as of April 1997, letters of
acceptance are no longer issued. Currently there is no way for boat
manufacturers and the boating public to determine whether navigation
light fixtures they purchase comply with applicable requirements in the
Navigation Rules, except for light manufacturers' statements in that
regard.
In contrast to Coast Guard practice with regard to recreational
vessels, existing regulations applicable to commercial vessels in 46
CFR 111.75-17 require each navigation light to meet the technical
details of the applicable navigation rules and to be certified by an
independent laboratory to the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories
Standard UL 1104 or an equivalent standard. The commercial vessel
regulations further require that navigation lights be labeled to
indicate: (1) The name or number of the standard to which the light was
type-tested; (2) the name or registered certification mark of the
independent laboratory that tested the fixture; (3) the fixture
manufacturer's name; (4) the model number of the fixture; (5) the
visibility of the light in nautical miles; (6) the date on which the
fixture was type-tested; and (7) the identification of the bulb used in
the compliance test. The independent laboratory must be accepted by the
Commandant for the testing and listing or certification of electrical
equipment.
The National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) is a Federal
advisory committee which provides advice and makes recommendations to
the Coast Guard regarding regulations and other boating safety matters.
At its April 1997 meeting several National Boating Safety Advisory
Council members noted that while Annex I to the Navigation Rules in 33
CFR Part 84 specifies technical details for proper cutoff angles, color
specifications, and the intensity of navigation lights and Coast Guard
regulations require certification of navigation lights installed on
commercial vessels, there are no similar regulations for lights offered
for sale to recreational boat manufacturers and the boating public.
The NBSAC therefore recommend that the Coast Guard solicit comments
on the benefits of, and objections to, requiring navigation light
manufacturers and importers to demonstrate that lights offered for sale
to boat manufacturers and the boating public comply with applicable
requirements in the Navigation Rules. Under 46 USC 4302, 4303, and 33
USC 2071, the Coast Guard has the authority to establish requirements
for the installation, carrying, or use of associated equipment on
recreational vessels. All comments received during the comment period
will be placed in the public docket for review by NBSAC and the Coast
Guard in considering the formulation of any
[[Page 52674]]
regulatory and nonregulatory measures that may follow from this notice.
Pertinent Questions
In view of the discussion above, please respond to the following
questions:
(1) Should the Coast Guard require third party certification,
similar to that required for commercial vessel navigation lights, so
that boat builders, boat owners, marine surveyors and officials
conducting law enforcement boarding would have a means for determining
whether navigation lights sold for use or installed on recreational
boats complied with applicable requirements in the Navigation Rules?
(2) What are the expected costs and benefits of regulations
requiring manufacturers and importers of navigation lights used on
recreational boats to construct and label their lights in accordance
with a recognized industry standard?
(3) Is it appropriate for the Coast Guard to impose a third party
certification requirement for navigation lights sold for installation
on recreational boats?
Dated: October 1, 1997.
Ernest R. Riutta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-26697 Filed 10-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M