Notice2022-17288
Safe Loading, Safe Powering and Flotation Compliance Guidance for Electrically Powered Recreational Vessels Policy Letter
Primary source
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Published
August 11, 2022
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard announces the online availability, of a new Coast Guard policy that establishes regulatory compliance guidance for recreational vessels less than 20 feet in length that use batteries to power their primary propulsion. This document provides consistent guidance for the design, inspection, and/or testing of recreational vessels using batteries to power their primary propulsion. The policy can be found at https://safeafloat.com/policies-letters/.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49599-49600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17288]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2022-0259]
Safe Loading, Safe Powering and Flotation Compliance Guidance for
Electrically Powered Recreational Vessels Policy Letter
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the online availability, of a new
Coast Guard policy that establishes regulatory compliance guidance for
recreational vessels less than 20 feet in length that use batteries to
power their primary propulsion. This document provides consistent
guidance for the design, inspection, and/or testing of recreational
vessels using batteries to power their primary propulsion. The policy
can be found at <a href="https://safeafloat.com/policies-letters/">https://safeafloat.com/policies-letters/</a>.
DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> on or before November 9, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2022-0259 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://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
call or email Mr. Kevin Ferrie, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1075,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69020c1f0007470b470f0c1b1b000c291c1a0a0e47040005"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e68d83908f88c884c8808394948f83a693958581c88b8f8a">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 49600]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Comments
We encourage you to submit comments (or related material) on the
draft guidance document in the docket. We will consider all submissions
and may adjust our final action based on your comments. 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 <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions. Documents mentioned in this notice as being available in
the docket, and 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. We review all comments received, but we may choose not to
post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive.
If you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will
be notified when comments are posted or a final document is published.
We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 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).
Background and Purpose
Advances in battery technology have enabled new possibilities in
boat power and propulsion systems. Currently, internal combustion
engines using lead-acid or absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries comprise
the vast majority of recreational vessel propulsion installations.
However, recent advancements in the development of lithium-ion (Li-ion)
battery technology have made all-electric systems possible on some
recreational vessels. Li-ion batteries are becoming more cost-effective
and deliver one of the highest energy densities of any currently
available battery technology, making these batteries and electric
motors a viable alternative to internal combustion engines and
traditional lead acid and AGM batteries for powering recreational
vessels.
Current regulations for safe loading, safe powering and flotation
in 33 CFR subchapter S were promulgated with the expectation that
internal combustion engines for propulsion would be used and did not
anticipate the use of batteries and electric motors for these
functions. As a result, further clarification is needed to determine
capacities required by 33 CFR subchapter S when internal combustion
engines are replaced with electric motors and large Li-ion battery
installations. The policy provides consistent guidance for the design,
inspection, and/or testing of recreational vessels using batteries to
power their primary propulsion.
This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
Dated: July 6, 2022.
Jeffrey A. Ludwig,
Chief, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch, United States
Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2022-17288 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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