[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 24837-24838] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-11854] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard [USCG-1998-3797] Office of Vessel Traffic Management AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is holding a public meeting to invite ideas, comments, questions, and interest by individuals and operations on the Port and Waterways Safety Systems (PAWSS) port risk analyses, Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) using Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and public-private partnerships for operating VTS's. The first public meetings on these topics were held from January to March of 1997. This additional meeting is meant to discuss progress to date and future plans for the PAWSS project. DATES: The meeting will be held on May 20, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, the meeting may be concluded early if its business is finished. Anyone planning to attend the meeting and intending to express views is encouraged to arrive early and make that intention known to Mr. Mike Sollosi at the telephone number or address provided under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marine Board of the National Academy of Sciences, 2001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20007. The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this notice. Comments and documents as indicated in this notice, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may electronically access the public docket for this notice on the Internet at <http://dms.dot.gov>. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning PAWSS or VTS, contact Mr. Mike Sollosi, Coast Guard Office of Vessel Traffic Management, telephone 202-267- 1539. You may also contact Mr. Peter Johnson, Marine Board, National Academy of Sciences, about the meeting, telephone 202-334-3157. For questions on the public docket for this notice, contact Ms. Carol Kelly, Coast Guard Dockets Team Leader, or Ms. Paulette Twine, Chief, Documentary Services Division, Department of Transportation, telephone 202-366-9329. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Information As a part of its Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) project, the Coast Guard is developing a port risk assessment tool to determine which ports require a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and to identify the minimum capabilities a VTS must have to meet the needs of a given port or waterway. This port analysis tool is intended to evaluate various risk criteria such as traffic density, prevailing weather, port geography, and environmental concerns. The tool will also evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation factors, such as VTS. The PAWSS project is based on a VTS that uses the automatic identification system (AIS) and that takes advantage of readily available, off-the-shelf and open architecture systems that are inexpensive and easy to build and operate. Further, the Coast Guard is developing a proposal for public-private partnerships in the VTS/Vessel Traffic Information Service arena. The Coast Guard is seeking stakeholder validation before this proposal is published in a notice of proposed rulemaking. Public Meeting Attendance is open to the public. With advance notice, and as time permits, members of the public may make oral presentations during the meeting. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than the day before the meeting. Information on Service for Individuals with Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Mr. Mike Sollosi at the address or phone number under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible. [[Page 24838]] Dated: April 29, 1998. R.C. North, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. [FR Doc. 98-11854 Filed 5-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-M