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The Coast Guard proposes to implement those requirements of 2010 and 2012 legislation that pertain to uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels and that took effect upon enactment of the legislation but that, to be implemented, require amendments to Coast Guard regulations affecting those vessels. The applicability of the regulations is being changed, and new requirements are being added to safety training, equipment, vessel examinations, vessel safety standards, the documentation of maintenance, and the termination of unsafe operations. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety mission.

Statement of Need:

The Coast Guard proposes to align its commercial fishing industry vessel regulations with the mandatory provisions of 2010 and 2012 legislation passed by Congress that took effect upon enactment. The alignments would change the applicability of current regulations, and add new requirements for safety equipment, vessel examinations, vessel safety standards, the documentation of maintenance, and the termination of unsafe operations. This rule only proposes to implement these legislative mandates, would exercise no Coast Guard regulatory discretion, and would promote the Coast Guard's maritime safety mission.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Alternatives:

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

We estimate that, as a result of this rulemaking, owners and operators of certain commercial fishing vessels would incur additional annualized costs, discounted at 7 percent, of $34.2 million. We estimate the annualized cost, discounted at 7 percent, to government of $5.4 million, for a total annualized cost of $39.7 million. For commercial fishing vessels that operate beyond 3 nautical miles, the cost of this rulemaking would involve provisions for carriage of survival craft, recordkeeping of lifesaving and fire equipment maintenance, and dockside safety examinations once every 5 years. Also, certain newly built commercial fishing vessels would have to undergo survey and classification. We believe that the rule based on Congressional mandates will address a wide range of causes of commercial fishing vessel accidents and supports the main goal of improving safety and survivability in the commercial fishing industry. The primary benefit of the proposed rule is an increase in safety and a resulting decrease in the risk of accidents and their consequences, primarily fatalities. We estimate an annualized benefit of $7.1 to $9.4 million from this rule, discounted at 7 percent.

Risks: