Notice2021-15059
Proposed Distribution of Scheduled Navigation Safety Messages (Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by Mobile and Internet Methods
Primary source
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Published
July 15, 2021
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37338-37339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15059]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2020-0187]
Proposed Distribution of Scheduled Navigation Safety Messages
(Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by Mobile and Internet Methods
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to
mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile
devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this
information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard
broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio
two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have
included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication
(RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The
Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners
prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to
this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more
timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners
have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome,
because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be
distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of
congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the
process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio
broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.
DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> on or before August 16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2020-0187 using the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the supplementary information section for further
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document,
please call or email Eugene Diotalevi, Coast Guard Navigation Center;
telephone: 703-313-5800; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7f2c2d0d2d9d299dd99d3ded8c3d6dbd2c1def7c2c4d4d099dadedb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1f4c4d6d4dfd49fdb9fd5d8dec5d0ddd4c7d8f1c4c2d2d69fdcd8dd">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to submit comments (or related material) on the
Coast Guard's proposal to distribute and make available BNM information
through mobile and web-based methods. We will consider all submissions
received before the comment period closes. If you submit a comment,
please include the docket number for this notice, indicate the specific
section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a
reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. If your material cannot be
submitted using the portal, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions. Documents mentioned in this notice, and all public
comments, are in our online docket at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and
can be viewed by following that website's instructions. Additionally,
if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will
be notified when comments are posted.
We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System
of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
Abbreviations
BNM Broadcast Notice to Mariners
VHF Very High Frequency
RSS Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication
Discussion
In a previous notice (85 FR 32408, May 29, 2020), the Coast Guard
provided an overview of the existing practice of distributing broadcast
notices to mariners through routing broadcasts on VHF marine radio, and
described new methods of digital access to this information that was
being made available through web and mobile means. The Coast Guard
received two comments on the May 29, 2020 this notice; both viewed the
Coast Guard's initiative favorably. One comment, from a recognized
maritime industry association, expressed support for the Coast Guard's
plans to expand options for access to this information, indicating,
``its enactment will have a positive impact on reaching a greater
number of mariners, expanded convenience, and improved timeliness of
distribution.''
Since publication of the May 29, 2020 notice, the Coast Guard has
expanded the improved access beyond the Fifth Coast Guard District,
where the system was being tested. The Coast Guard has also been
actively soliciting feedback about the program through meetings
[[Page 37339]]
with maritime industry groups and local harbor safety committees and
through public surveys. Information gathered indicates that the
maritime public finds the new mobile and web access valuable and
worthwhile. Mariners also told the Coast Guard that they did not find
the existing routine VHF broadcasts to be very valuable; rather, the
broadcasts, which are typically announced on VHF channel 16 and then
switched to channel 22, were frequently noted as bothersome, because
they tended to crowd out more valuable marine radio traffic on both VHF
channels, creating ``radio clutter.''
The Coast Guard is now considering phasing out routine VHF
broadcasts in locations where digital mobile and web access is made
available, and is seeking public comment. Before broadcasts in any
particular location are phased out, mariners can anticipate that the
Coast Guard will thoroughly announce and remind mariners about how to
access the information by the new web and mobile methods. Only routine
broadcasts are being considered for phase out; the Coast Guard will
continue to choose to broadcast urgent and safety broadcasts on VHF as
necessary.
This notice is issued under the authority of 14 U.S.C. 504(a)(16)
and 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
Dated: July 6, 2021.
Michael D. Emerson,
Director, Marine Transportation Systems.
[FR Doc. 2021-15059 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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