Overview
Title
Collection of Information Under Review by Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number 1625-0082
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Coast Guard wants to keep track of important safety and emergency information for boats that pull or push other boats, and they're asking people to share their thoughts on how to do this without making it too hard for anyone involved. They just want everything to be safe, and people can share their ideas online until the end of March 2021.
Summary AI
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public comments on its request to extend the approval for collecting certain information about towing vessels, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request involves Navigation Safety Information and Emergency Instructions for inspected towing vessels to ensure safety regulations are adequately met. The Coast Guard is asking for feedback on the necessity and utility of this information collection, and suggestions to minimize the burden it may cause to respondents. Comments are open until March 29, 2021, and submissions can be made through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0082, Navigation Safety Information and Emergency Instructions for Certain Towing Vessels; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.
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AnalysisAI
The document is a public notice issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, seeking feedback on its request to continue collecting specific information regarding the safety and emergency protocols of certain towing vessels. This process is part of a regulatory effort under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to ensure that any data collected is necessary and not overly burdensome to the public. The Coast Guard is specifically interested in information related to navigation safety and emergency instructions for towing vessels, which are integral to maintaining maritime safety standards.
General Summary
The request revolves around an "Information Collection Request" (ICR) initially approved under an OMB (Office of Management and Budget) Control Number. This extension aims to keep regulations up to date without altering their current provisions. The Coast Guard is inviting comments to ensure that only essential information is collected, to allow for public input on the regulation’s applicability, and to find ways to reduce the reporting burden on vessel operators.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A significant concern with the document is its technical and legalistic language, which may not be easily understood by those unfamiliar with regulatory requirements. The document references the Paperwork Reduction Act and specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, which might be opaque to a general audience. Additionally, while the document provides the mechanisms to submit comments, the guidance on navigating those resources might be unclear without detailed instructions.
Another potential issue is the lack of explicit clarity on what happens if stakeholders do not comply with these requirements or the benefits derived from contributing data. Understanding these consequences might bolster public motivation to participate in the comment process.
Public Impact
On a broad scale, this document demonstrates a routine yet crucial aspect of government operations—balancing regulatory needs with public convenience and burden. For the general populace, it exemplifies how government agencies seek public input in policymaking, particularly in areas as specialized as maritime regulations. Documenting and maintaining safety protocols notably contribute to public safety and the efficacy of maritime operations.
Stakeholder Impacts
Specific stakeholders, such as vessel owners, operators, and masters, might experience both positive and negative impacts due to this information collection request. Positively, the regulations aim to enhance the safety of their operations, providing frameworks for emergency preparedness and navigation safety, which could potentially save lives and assets. On the downside, the stakeholders might see this as an administrative burden, particularly if record-keeping and compliance require significant time or resources.
By responding to this request for comments, stakeholders will have the opportunity to influence how the Coast Guard collects information, and potentially minimize the regulatory load while maintaining compliance. This, in turn, helps in structuring a more efficient and agreeable regulatory environment that supports both vessel operators' convenience and public safety needs.
The notice period until March 29, 2021, is an opportunity for affected parties to express concerns, suggest improvements, and ensure that the regulations align well with practical maritime operations while still achieving their intended safety objectives.
Issues
• The document uses technical language related to regulations and paperwork processes that may not be easily understood by individuals without specialized knowledge in administrative law or Coast Guard regulations.
• The document repeatedly mentions the Paperwork Reduction Act and specific U.S. Code, which may not be clear to individuals without a legal background.
• The use of specific Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts and titles (e.g., 33 CFR part 164, 46 CFR 199.80) could be difficult for those unfamiliar with regulatory documents.
• The text references various online resources and submission portals which could be confusing without clear step-by-step guidance on how to use them effectively.
• The document does not explain the potential consequences of not complying with the information collection or the benefits that could arise from the data collected, which might help in understanding its importance.