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DHS/USCG RIN: 1625-AA19 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Salvage and Marine Firefighting Requirements; Vessel Response Plans for Oil (USCG-1998-3417) 
Abstract: Current vessel response plan regulations require that the owners or operators of vessels carrying groups I through V petroleum oil as a primary cargo identify in their response plans a salvage company with expertise and equipment, and a company with firefighting capability that can be deployed to a port nearest to the vessel's operating area within 24 hours of notification (groups I to IV) or a discovery of a discharge (group V). Numerous requests for clarification revealed widespread misunderstanding and confusion regarding the regulatory language, which will make the implementation of this requirement difficult. Based on comments received after the Vessel Response Plan final rule publication (61 FR 1052; January 12, 1996) and during a Coast Guard hosted workshop, the Coast Guard intends to better define the terms "salvage expertise and equipment" and "vessel firefighting capability" requirements and will reconsider the 24-hour deployment requirement which was scheduled to go into effect on February 18, 1998. Therefore, the Coast Guard suspended the effective dates of the 24-hour deployment requirements as published in the final rule. The Coast Guard will continue with this project to better define the requirements. This rulemaking supports the Coast Guard's strategic goals of maritime safety and protection of the natural resources. This rulemaking is also significant because it concerns a matter of substantial public interest or controversy. Market or Regulatory Failure Analysis: This rule addresses potentially inadequate levels of equipment/preparedness since operators do not internalize the full marginal social costs of their actions. Uniform industry standards are required, and industry is incapable of establishing acceptable standards on a nationwide basis. 
Agency: Department of Homeland Security(DHS)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: Private Sector 
CFR Citation: 33 CFR 155   
Legal Authority: 33 USC 1321   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Final Rule--Partial Suspension  02/12/1998  63 FR 7069   
Final Rule--Partial Suspension  01/17/2001  66 FR 3876   
NPRM  05/10/2002  67 FR 31868   
Public Meeting 7/9/02, 7/17/02, 7/25/02  06/12/2002  67 FR 40254   
Public Meeting 9/26/02  08/07/2002  67 FR 51159   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  08/07/2002  67 FR 51159   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/18/2002    
Final Rule--Partial Suspension  01/23/2004  69 FR 3236   
Notice of Availability & Request for Comment  01/03/2006  71 FR 125   
Final Rule--Partial Suspension  02/09/2007  72 FR 6168   
Final Rule  12/00/2008    
Additional Information: Partial suspension of regulations created through the Vessel Response Plan final rule, Docket No. 91-034, RIN 2115-AD81. The project was originally titled "Salvage and Firefighting Equipment; Vessel Response Plans." The change was made in order to distinguish this project from other similarly titled projects within the Coast Guard.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
LCDR Reed Kohberger
Project Manager, CG-523
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone:202 372-1471