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Rule2024-27026

Mariner Credentialing Program Transformation

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Published

December 17, 2024

Effective

January 19, 2025

Issuing agencies

Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard

Abstract

The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule to permit the electronic submission of required mariner credentialing information to allow for the future implementation of a new Merchant Mariner Credentialing information technology system. This rule also requires the electronic payment of mandatory merchant mariner credentialing fees, removes the requirement for prospective mariners to take an oath before an authorized official, and changes the requirements for the Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners. Finally, this rule makes technical amendments to update addresses and websites, remove antiquated terminology, and adopt gender-neutral terms.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 102298-102340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27026]

[[Page 102297]]

Vol. 89

Tuesday,

No. 242

December 17, 2024

Part III

Department of Homeland Security

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Coast Guard

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46 CFR Parts 1, 10 et al.

Mariner Credentialing Program Transformation; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 242 / Tuesday, December 17, 2024 /
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 102298]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0834]
RIN 1625-AC86

Mariner Credentialing Program Transformation

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule to permit the
electronic submission of required mariner credentialing information to
allow for the future implementation of a new Merchant Mariner
Credentialing information technology system. This rule also requires
the electronic payment of mandatory merchant mariner credentialing
fees, removes the requirement for prospective mariners to take an oath
before an authorized official, and changes the requirements for the
Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners. Finally, this rule makes
technical amendments to update addresses and websites, remove
antiquated terminology, and adopt gender-neutral terms.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 19, 2025.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2021-0834 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document
call or email call or email Mr. Charles J. Bright, Coast Guard Office
of Merchant Mariner Credentialing, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1046,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92d1faf3e0fef7e1bcd8bcd0e0fbf5fae6d2e7e1f1f5bcfffbfe">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Abbreviations
II. Basis and Purpose, and Regulatory History
III. Discussion of Comments and Changes
IV. Discussion of the Rule
V. Regulatory Analysis
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
B. Small Entities
C. Assistance for Small Entities
D. Collection of Information
E. Federalism
F. Unfunded Mandates
G. Taking of Private Property
H. Civil Justice Reform
I. Protection of Children
J. Indian Tribal Governments
K. Energy Effects
L. Technical Standards
M. Environment

I. Abbreviations

ACH Automated Clearing House
BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
CBO Congressional Budget Office
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CG-MMC Coast Guard Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing
DHS Department of Homeland Security
EFT Electronic Funds Transfer
Form CG-718A Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariner
Form CG-719B Application for Merchant Mariner Credential
FR Federal Register
FRED Federal Reserve Economic Data
GS General Schedule
GSA General Services Administration
ICR Information Collection Request
IT Information Technology
MCP Mariner Credentialing Program
MMC Merchant Mariner Credential
MMLD Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation
NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NMC National Maritime Center
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OMB Office of Management and Budget
OPM Office of Personnel Management
RA Regulatory analysis
RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act
REC Regional Exam Center
Sec. Section
TWIC Transportation Worker Identification Credential
U.S.C. United States Code
USCG United States Coast Guard

II. Basis and Purpose, and Regulatory History

The legal basis of this final rule is title 46 of the United States
Code (U.S.C.) Sections 7101(b) and 7301(b), which authorizes the
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish the
experience and professional qualifications required for the issuance of
merchant mariner licenses and documents. The DHS Secretary has
delegated the rulemaking authority under 46 U.S.C. 7101 and 7301 to the
Coast Guard through DHS Delegation No. 00170.1(II)(92)(e), Revision No.
01.4. Additionally, 14 U.S.C. 102(3) grants the Coast Guard broad
authority to issue and enforce regulations for the promotion of safety
of life and property on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, which includes establishing the experience and
professional qualifications required for the issuance of credentials.
This final rule revises title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), subchapter A, part 1, and subchapter B, parts 10-16, to allow
for the electronic submission of information to the Coast Guard for the
issuance of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and the supporting
administrative processes, including requiring the payment of mandatory
fees through the federal government-recognized system, <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. The
Coast Guard is also removing the requirement for prospective mariners
to take an oath before an authorized official and changing requirements
for the completion and issue of a Certificate of Discharge to Merchant
Mariner (Form CG-718A). In addition, the Coast Guard is making
technical amendments to update addresses and websites, remove
antiquated terminology, and adopt gender-neutral language.
On March 14, 2024, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) titled ``Mariner Credentialing Program
Transformation,'' (89 FR 18706) requesting comments on the proposed
changes implemented by this final rule. A detailed description of the
background and proposed changes can be found in the NPRM. See 89 FR at
18707-09.

III. Discussion of Comments and Changes

In response to our NPRM, the Coast Guard received five written
submissions. All were in support of the proposed changes. Two
submissions each contained a single comment in support of the proposed
changes. Three submissions captured multiple comments, for a total of
11 comments, which provided detailed support of the proposed changes.
One comment included a recommendation, which is discussed below.
One commenter recommended the implementation of an electronic
merchant mariner credential or e-credential. The Coast Guard
appreciates this recommendation and may consider it as part of the
future information technology system and the overall changes to the
Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP), but finds the recommendation is
beyond the scope of this rulemaking. Coast Guard regulations do not
specify the form of the credential.
After considering these comments, the Coast Guard is making two
modifications from our previously proposed changes. In the NPRM, we
proposed removing the words ``the applicant's fingerprints'' from 46
CFR 10.209(e)(3). This paragraph concerns information supplied from the
mariner's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
enrollment before an MMC or endorsement is issued by the Coast Guard.
This proposed change was included in the proposed amendatory

[[Page 102299]]

instructions but not in Table 2--Summary of Impacts by Affected CFR
Part, Subpart, and Section, or part of the NPRM's Regulatory Analysis.
See 89 FR at 18707-30.
After consideration, the Coast Guard is not removing the words
``applicant's fingerprints'' from 46 CFR 10.209(e)(3) as part of this
final rule. Applicant's fingerprints are a required part of the TWIC
enrollment process governed by the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA). Although fingerprints are not specifically used
by the Coast Guard at this time on MMCs, the Coast Guard will retain
the ability to use fingerprints on future MMCs for increased security
purposes, especially if an electronic credential is developed as
suggested by a comment received to the NPRM and discussed previously.
The Coast Guard is also correcting a scrivener's error contained in
our proposed amendatory language for 46 CFR 10.209(d)(1) by removing an
unintentional repeat of the word ``and.''
Finally, this final rule removed some amendatory language included
in the NPRM that was superseded by the publication of Electronic
Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data final rule (Docket No.
USCG-2021-0097, RIN 1625-AC75) on November 25, 2024.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This final rule allows for the electronic submission of MMC
applications and supporting documents to the Coast Guard and requires
electronic payment of mandatory fees through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. This final rule
also removes the requirement for original MMC applicants to take an
oath before an authorized official or notary because the Coast Guard
has determined it is a redundant part of the original MMC application
process. This rule further amends the process for issuing certificates
of discharge for mariners after completing a voyage by clarifying the
procedures and by allowing for electronic processing and recordkeeping.
Finally, the Coast Guard makes non-substantive changes to antiquated
terminology and out-of-date website and address information to clarify
existing regulatory text in the affected subparts of the CFR.
To prepare for the future acquisition of an information technology
(IT) system to replace the antiquated and inefficient Merchant Mariner
Licensing and Documentation (MMLD) system used by the MCP, this rule
amends 46 CFR subchapter A, part 1, and subchapter B, parts 10-16, to
allow for electronic submission of information, in a manner specified
by the Coast Guard, to obtain MMCs, medical certificates, and the
approval of mariner training courses and programs, Qualified Assessors,
and Designated Examiners. Providing for the electronic submission of
required information streamlines the credentialing process and prepares
for the fully electronic IT system that will be used by the MCP and
industry.
This final rule requires electronic payment of mandatory fees
through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. Manual processing of the previously allowed cash,
checks, credit cards, or money orders required significant work hours
by National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Exam Center (REC)
personnel, were difficult to validate and protect using the current
system and did not meet the requirements of the U.S. Treasury. With
this final rule, the Coast Guard no longer directly accepts payments
made using these methods at RECs. Applicants who wish to continue to
use cash or money orders can obtain a prepaid credit card to pay fees
using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. Applicants who wish to pay via personal check can make
an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>.
As noted in Section III. Background, of this preamble, the Coast
Guard anticipates the use of cash or money orders to continue to
decrease, based upon previous payment statistics. This also reflects
the overall public trend in the United States to make payments using a
credit card, debit card, or check. The 2019 Federal Reserve Payments
Study and subsequent updates indicate a continued trend to using cards
and ACH, with the growth rate of core noncash payments being 6.7
percent per year from 2015 to 2018, higher than the growth rate of 5.1
percent per year from 2012 to 2015.\1\ Credit and debit card usage
numbers declined with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly from
the lack of in-person transactions, but general growth continued,
including the percentage of ACH payments.\2\ Electronic payment reduces
the burden on Coast Guard personnel who process non-electronic payments
(cash, check, money orders) and improves customer service to mariners
by allowing for better reconciliation and more efficient processing of
payments and refunds.
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\1\ The 2019 Federal Reserve Payments Study, p14, <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/2019-payments-study-20191219.pdf">https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/2019-payments-study-20191219.pdf</a>.
\2\ Developments in Noncash Payments for 2019 and 2020: Findings
from the Federal Reserve Payments Study, p7, <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/developments-in-noncash-payments-for-2019-and-2020-20211222.pdf">https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/developments-in-noncash-payments-for-2019-and-2020-20211222.pdf</a>.
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This rule also changes 46 CFR 14.307, regarding entries on
certificates of discharge for mariners after completing a voyage, to
clarify the procedures and allow for electronic processing and
recordkeeping. The process is clarified by requiring that each Master
or individual in charge must, for each individual mariner being
discharged from the vessel, prepare a Form CG-718A, in accordance with
the procedures prescribed by the Coast Guard. The prescribed format may
include the current CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard,
which allows for electronic processing if available in a new MCP
system.
If a Master or individual in charge of a vessel do not use a Coast
Guard-prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same
information included on Form CG-718A. This ensures the vessel Master or
operating companies provide the required information to the mariner but
allows for them to use vessel or company specific means, such as a
payroll system incorporated in their vessel administrative systems.
Following each voyage, every mariner being discharged must validate the
information on Form CG-718A by signing it. The change from signing in
``permanent ink'' to ``by signing'' allows for more modern methods such
as electronic signature or document verification. Finally, when the
mariner departs the vessel, the Master or individual in charge must
give Form CG-718A to the mariner, which could be provided
electronically with the changes. The changes to Form CG-718A's process
creates a more modern and electronic means of processing the document.
Under this final rule, there is no change to the certificate of
discharge transmission process under 46 CFR 14.311.
In addition, this final rule removes the requirement to take an
oath before an authorized official while certifying an Application for
Merchant Mariner Credential (Form CG-719B). By signing the form, an
individual attests to ``solemnly swear or affirm'' to abide by the
requirements of the oath. This legally binds a mariner, so no
additional requirement before an authorized official is necessary. The
Coast Guard also anticipates that the future MCP system would allow for
electronic signatures and additional verification of identity, further
negating the need for the requirement to take an oath before an
authorized official.
Finally, the Coast Guard adds technical amendments to 46 CFR parts
1 and 10-16 as part of this rulemaking. These amendments account for
updates to websites and addresses, remove antiquated language (such as
``licenses'' and ``Merchant Mariner Document (MMD)'', as those
credentials are no

[[Page 102300]]

longer issued by the Coast Guard), and make non-substantive changes to
ensure gender-neutrality throughout.

V. Regulatory Analysis

We developed this final rule after considering numerous statutes
and Executive orders related to the final rule. A summary of our
analyses based on these statutes or Executive orders follows.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), as amended
by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review), and 13563
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) direct agencies to assess
the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility.
This rule has not been designated by OMB as a significant
regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as
amended by Executive Order 14094. Accordingly, OMB has not reviewed it.
The Coast Guard received no public comments on the regulatory analysis
for the proposed rule. Details on the estimated cost savings of this
final rule can be found in the rule's Regulatory Analysis (RA) that
follows.
Changes From the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
For the reasons discussed in section III of this preamble,
Discussion of Comments and Changes, we have made two changes to the
regulatory text from the proposed rule. In Sec. 10.209(e)(3), we
retain the regulatory text ``the applicant's fingerprints,'' and in
Sec. 10.209(d)(1), we make a minor editorial change to remove an extra
word ``and'' in the regulatory text. These changes do not necessitate a
change to either the methodology or type of data used in the RA from
the NPRM. We updated the regulatory analysis from the NPRM to account
for 2023 wage rates.
For this regulatory analysis, the term ``applicants'' refers to all
individuals who pay mandatory fees associated with an MMC application.
The changes and estimated cost savings for Sec. 10.219(d) affect these
applicants. The phrase ``original applicants'' refers to individuals
who are applying for their first MMC and therefore are currently
required to take an oath before an authorized official. The number of
original applicants is a subset of all applicants because they must
also pay fees. The changes and cost savings to Sec. 10.225(c) affect
only original applicants.
In this final rule, the Coast Guard updates 46 CFR subchapter A,
part 1, and subchapter B, parts 10-16. The final rule will:
<bullet> Require electronic payment of merchant mariner
credentialing fees in Sec. 10.219(d); \3\
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\3\ This final rule affects all applicants who apply for MMCs.
Mandatory fees include evaluation, examination, and issuance fees.
The Coast Guard data does not differentiate between these fees in
the data it collects; the data the Coast Guard collected for this
analysis are for any fees where applicants may pay for any or all of
them at one time.
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<bullet> Remove the requirement for an oath to be administered by
an official who serves as a notary public (or an authorized official
who can administer an oath) on Form CG-719B in Sec. 10.225(c);
<bullet> Allow for the electronic submission of certain documents
in Sec. Sec. 1.03-15(h)(2)(i) for appeals involving course approvals
and merchant mariner personnel issues and 10.219(i) for requests
involving no-fee MMCs;
<bullet> Consolidate, condense, and clarify regulatory text for the
processing of Form CG-718A in Sec. Sec. 14.307(a), (b), and (c) when a
mariner completes a voyage; and
<bullet> Make non-substantive, editorial changes to current
regulatory text, such as pronoun changes, address changes, the removal
of certain terms, and other minor grammatical changes.
Table 1 presents a summary of the impacts of the final rule.
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.020

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.021

BILLING CODE 9110-04-C
We discuss the economic impact of these items individually in the
cost savings section of this RA.
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\4\ Readers can access the National Maritime Center's (NMC)
website and <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> to obtain information about the payment of fees
at <a href="http://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/fees/">www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/fees/</a>. The Coast Guard accessed this web
page in August 2024.
\5\ For this regulatory analysis, the term ``applicants'' refers
to all individual applicants who pay mandatory fees. The changes and
estimated cost savings for Sec. 10.219(d) affect these applicants.
The phrase ``original applicants'' refers to individuals who apply
for their first MMC and therefore are required by existing
regulation to take an oath before an authorized official. The
changes and cost savings to Sec. 10.225(c) affect only original
applicants. We also assume the affected population of applicants has
bank accounts.
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This final rule generates cost savings to applicants, including
original applicants, for two changes in 46 CFR 10.219(d) and 10.225(c),
and for the Federal Government in Sec. 10.219(d).
For Sec. 10.219(d), each applicant will save approximately $13.06
for a credit card payment and about $11.41 for a cash payment with this
final rule.
For Sec. 10.225(c), under Assumption 1, for all applicants, an
individual applicant will save about $17.68; and under Assumption 2,
for half of the applicants (6,976), each applicant who goes to a bank
branch will save about $17.68; for the other half (6,976) of the
applicants who go to a notary service, half of whom pay by credit card
(3,488) and half of whom pay by cash (3,488); each applicant who pays
by credit card will save about $23.61, and by cash, about $22.24.
First, the changes in Sec. 10.219(d) requires an applicant for an
MMC to pay the required evaluation, examination, and issuance fees by
electronic means through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. Currently, an applicant can make a
payment in person at an REC using cash, check, credit card or money
order. With this final rule, the Coast Guard no longer accepts direct
payments made using these methods; as a result, this final rule removes
the payment options made with cash, check (in person), credit card (in
person), and money order, and payments made by standard mail. The cost
savings that we estimate for Sec. 10.219(d) are for applicants who no
longer expend the time to visit an REC to pay the fees by cash, check,
credit card, and for payments made by check through standard mail. For
the purpose of this analysis, we analyzed payments made by cash and
credit card because they represented the majority of payments made in
person at RECs. We also analyzed check and money order payments made by
applicants outside of RECs. In addition to cash and credit card
payments, applicants can also make payments by check and money order in
person at an REC. However, the Coast Guard does not collect data to
show where applicants made these payments. For this analysis and based
on Coast Guard information from RECs,

[[Page 102303]]

most applicants pay by cash or credit card at RECs; we then assumed
applicants made check and money order payments by standard mail outside
of an REC.
The changes to Sec. 10.219(d) also generates cost savings for the
Federal Government and Coast Guard employees who no longer expend the
time to process in-person payment transactions at RECs.
The cost savings associated with Sec. 10.225(c) is from the
removal of the requirement to have an oath administered by a person
legally qualified to administer an oath, or a notary public, near an
original applicant's place of residence (in the town or city where an
original applicant resides) before an original applicant receives an
MMC.\6\ The Coast Guard does not expect the Federal Government to
realize any cost savings associated with this change. The remaining
changes will not generate any costs or cost savings to the maritime
industry, individuals, or the Federal Government. Lastly, this final
rule does not alter any current OMB-approved Coast Guard information
collection request (ICR).
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\6\ A notary public is an individual who has met the
requirements to provide notary public services to the general public
in order to verify a person's identity. Currently, in the case of
Form CG-719B, when an original applicant applies for an MMC either
at an REC or near an original applicant's place of residence (either
at a bank or bank branch or where there is a notary service in the
U.S.), the original applicant must sign the form in the presence of
a notary public. The notary public must also sign the form; this
process serves as the oath for the original applicant in accordance
with the information contained in Form CG-719B. Readers can access
<a href="http://www.nationalnotary.org">www.nationalnotary.org</a> to obtain more information about notary
services in the U.S. The Coast Guard accessed this web page in May
2024.
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Sec. 10.219(d)
We estimate the total discounted cost savings for the change to
Sec. 10.219(d) for applicants who pay mandatory fees at RECs
(typically by cash or credit card) and for applicants who pay by check
and money order outside of an REC through standard mail to be
approximately $1.0 million, rounded, over a 10-year period of analysis,
using a 7-percent discount rate. The cost savings are associated with
the time (transaction time) applicants save from making in-person
payments to using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. We estimate the annualized cost savings for
applicants who pay in-person at RECs and by cash to be approximately
$3,319 rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. We estimate the
annualized cost savings for applicants who pay in-person at RECs by
credit card to be approximately $130,039, rounded, using a 7-percent
discount rate. We estimate the annualized cost savings for applicants
who pay by check and money order through standard mail to be
approximately $7,962 rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. Finally,
we estimate the total annualized cost savings of part 10.219(d) to
applicants who pay in-person at RECs and by check and money order to be
approximately $141,320 ($3,319 + $130,039 + $7,962), rounded.
We estimate the discounted cost savings to the Coast Guard for the
change to Sec. 10.219(d) to be approximately $230,491 over a 10-year
period of analysis, using a 7-percent discount rate. In addition, we
estimate the annualized cost savings to the Coast Guard for this
regulatory provision to be approximately $32,817, rounded, using a 7-
percent discount rate.
Sec. 10.225(c)
In this regulatory analysis, we make two assumptions associated
with the removal of the requirement to take an oath before an
authorized official in Sec. 10.225(c). These assumptions apply to
applicants who pay the mandatory fees and take an oath at a location
other than an REC or at their place of residence (for the purpose of
this regulatory analysis, we refer to individuals who are affected by
the changes to Sec. 10.225(c) only as ``original applicants''). These
two assumptions are necessary because the Coast Guard does not have
data on whether original applicants obtain an oath through a notary
public service at a bank near their place of residence, which is
(Assumption 1), where an individual can obtain an oath for an original
application along with a notary public signature, which we assume to be
free of charge; or elsewhere, other than a bank, which is (Assumption
2), where there is a cost for the notary public service.\7\
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\7\ The Coast Guard collects information on the number of
payment transactions for original applications and for other
payments of MMC fees. For the purpose of this analysis, we assumed
each payment transaction represents one individual or mariner. There
may be more than one payment transaction for an application, but for
tractability of this analysis, we assumed a one-to-one ratio.
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Therefore, if the reader accepts Assumption 1 to be representative
of the current actions by applicants, then the cost savings the Coast
Guard estimates for this assumption to be the cost savings of the final
rule, in addition to the cost savings from the change to Sec.
10.219(d). If the reader accepts Assumption 2 to be representative of
the current actions by applicants, then the cost savings the Coast
Guard estimates for this assumption is the cost savings of the final
rule, in addition to the cost savings from the change to Sec.
10.219(d).
Other assumptions may be made by the reader about the locations or
establishments where original applicants obtained an oath through a
notary public service, such as through legal services, at a title
application company, or other such local business services, but we
believe these assumptions capture the actions that applicants take when
they apply for MMCs. Lastly, for the purpose of this analysis, the
Coast Guard assumes applicants have bank accounts.
Assumption 1 for Sec. 10.225(c):
Our first assumption is that original applicants, who are affected
by this part of the final rule, can obtain an oath through a notary
public service or at a bank branch (which we assume to be free of
charge with a bank account) near where they reside.\8\ Under this
assumption, we estimate this final rule will save all original
applicants (an estimated 13,951 annually, rounded) a discounted amount
of approximately $1.7 million over a 10-year period of analysis, using
a 7-percent discount rate. The cost savings include the cost of the
travel time for an applicant who travels to obtain a notary public, the
mileage cost, and the time an applicant waits at a bank to obtain a
notary public signature. We estimate the annualized cost savings for
original applicants to be approximately $246,640, using a 7-percent
discount rate. These figures do not include the cost savings for the
change to Sec. 10.219(d).
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\8\ The Coast Guard acknowledges that some banks or bank
branches may not provide a notary public service free of charge;
however, we assumed applicants with a bank account at a given bank
do not incur a cost for a notary public service if they are a member
of that bank. Readers can access these websites for more information
on notary public services at banks: <a href="https://www.bankofamerica.com/signature-services/notary/">https://www.bankofamerica.com/signature-services/notary/</a>, and <a href="https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/notary-public-services.aspx">https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/notary-public-services.aspx</a>.
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Assumption 2 for Sec. 10.225(c):
Our second assumption is that half of the original applicants can
obtain an oath through a notary public service at a bank or bank branch
near where they reside, which we assume to be free of charge (with a
bank account). The other half of original applicants (an estimated
6,976 annually, rounded) can obtain this service at a state office, an
establishment that provides notary public services, or a similar entity
which charges for a notary public service. Assumption 2 considers the
cost savings associated with the removal of the oath and the notary
public service for the affected population of all original applicants,
or 13,951. Under this assumption, we assumed half of the original
applicants will obtain a notary public at a bank, where it is free of
charge, and half at an

[[Page 102304]]

establishment other than a bank, where there is a cost for a notary
public. The cost savings for half of the original applicants who obtain
a notary public at a bank is from the time it takes to travel to a
bank, the mileage cost, and the time to wait at a bank for a notary
public. The cost savings for the other half of original applicants who
obtain a notary elsewhere is the same as applicants that go to a bank
with the addition of the cost savings from not having to pay for a
notary public.
With this assumption, the Coast Guard estimates the final rule will
save original applicants a discounted amount of approximately $2.3
million over a 10-year period of analysis, using a 7-percent discount
rate. The Coast Guard estimates the annualized cost savings for
original applicants to be approximately $326,232, using a 7-percent
discount rate. These figures do not include the cost savings for the
change to Sec. 10.219(d).
For each assumption, the Coast Guard adds the same cost savings
estimate for original applicants who are required to pay the fees
electronically under the changes to Sec. 10.219(d), or $141,320
annualized, rounded. Specifically, for Assumption 1, the Coast Guard
estimates the total discounted cost savings of the final rule for
applicants to be approximately $2.7 million over a 10-year period of
analysis, using a 7-percent discount rate. The Coast Guard estimates
the total annualized cost savings of the final rule under this
assumption to be approximately $387,959.
For Assumption 2, the Coast Guard estimates the total discounted
cost savings of the final rule for applicants to be approximately $3.3
million over a 10-year period of analysis, using a 7-percent discount
rate. The Coast Guard estimates the total annualized cost savings of
the final rule under this assumption to be approximately $467,552.
In addition, the final rule generates benefits in the form of cost
savings to MMC applicants. These benefits include:
<bullet> A simplified payment transaction through electronic means
(<a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>), saving applicants time and money; and
<bullet> Reduced time burden for original applicants who no longer
need to obtain an oath before an authorized official, which saves time
and money.
This final rule generates unquantifiable benefits, which include:
<bullet> Flexibility for applicants by providing the option to
electronically submit documents including the no-fee determination of
eligibility request and the certificate of discharge; unquantifiable
cost savings for applicants who choose the option to electronically
submit certain documents;
<bullet> Removal, addition, and clarification of regulatory text
for Form CG-718A and other non-substantive regulatory text changes. The
benefit to mariners is clearer regulatory text as a result of the
editorial changes that we made.
Table 2 presents a summary of the estimated impacts of the final
rule.

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Affected Population

The affected population of this final rule are applicants for an
MMC (includes original applications or applicants who apply for an MMC
for the first time) who pay MMC fees in person at an REC or outside of
an REC through standard mail. Based on historical data from the NMC,
the Coast Guard analyzed information on applicants who paid mandatory
fees electronically through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> over a 7-year period from 2015 to
2021. Based on payment data from the NMC, one payment transaction
represents one applicant for all transactions. Under this assumption,
we assumed an applicant makes one trip to an REC and pays for all
transactions at that time instead of taking time to make multiple trips
and paying separately for transactions. For applicants who paid fees in
person at RECs, the Coast Guard used a 5-year data period from 2015-
2019 because after 2019, in-person transactions became very sporadic at
RECs due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols and the data are not
representative of the transactions over this period of time. The Coast
Guard then established two population groups. For Sec. 10.225(c) of
this final rule, the Coast Guard defined the population as original
applicants who paid mandatory fees by money order, check, and through
<a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>, which gave us the number of applicants who took the oath
outside of an REC and obtained a notary public service near where they
reside. This is for individuals who applied for an original MMC only.
As an annual average, the NMC recorded approximately 13,951 payment
transactions for original applications between 2015 and 2021.
For Sec. 10.219(d) of this final rule, the Coast Guard defined
part of the population as applicants who paid the fees by cash or
credit card in person at RECs for original applications, which gave us
an estimated the number of individuals who likely took the oath at
RECs, where it is free of charge.\9\ As an annual average, the NMC
recorded approximately 1,206 in-person payment transactions for
original applications between 2015 and 2019. For all other fees paid by
applicants other than original applicants, the NMC recorded an annual
average of 9,043 in-person payment transactions between 2015 and 2019.
The Coast Guard estimates the total average annual population of
applicants, who paid fees in person at an REC during this period, to be
approximately 10,249 applicants.
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\9\ Based on NMC data, most applicants paid fees by cash or
check at RECs; however, a small, unknown number of applicants paid
by check or money order. The Coast Guard does not maintain data on
applicants who paid by check or money order at RECs, which may
result in an underestimation of applicants who paid fees in person
by these two methods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Between 2015 and 2021, the Coast Guard also recorded an annual
average of approximately 12,638 payments made by applicants who paid by
check or money order outside of an REC through standard mail.
Therefore, the Coast Guard estimates the total average annual
population affected by this final rule to be approximately 36,838
(13,951 + 10,249 + 12,638) applicants (see table 3).

[[Page 102315]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.032

Cost Savings Analysis
Two changes in this final rule (in 46 CFR 10.219(d) and 10.225(c))
result in quantifiable cost savings for MMC applicants. The other
changes have no quantifiable economic impact on individuals, companies,
or businesses, and will not result in costs or cost savings to them.
The option in 46 CFR 1.03-15(h)(2)(i) and 10.219(i)(1) for
electronic submission of certain documents that currently must be
submitted by paper copy (see table 2) will likely have cost savings
associated with it, but we are not able to quantify these savings in
this analysis because the Coast Guard does not have data to show how
many electronic submissions we will receive in the future.
Additionally, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coast Guard is not
able to accurately determine a future trend of the number of documents
that applicants will choose to submit to the Coast Guard
electronically.
In table 2, we presented a summary of the estimated impacts of the
final rule and provided a description of the change for each affected
CFR section. Where the description reads ``Editorial; non-substantive
regulatory text changes,'' we make changes that include the addition,
deletion, consolidation, and clarification of regulatory text that do
not have cost or cost savings associated with them. These changes
include minor grammatical revisions, such as changes to punctuation and
pronoun changes; the clarification of regulatory text by removal,
deletion, or consolidation of terms; definitional changes; and changes
that update Coast Guard website addresses. This includes changes in
Sec. 10.209(d)(2), ``General Application Procedures,'' where the Coast
Guard removes the regulatory text governing the submission of certain
documents by applicants. There are no costs or cost savings for
individuals that are associated with this change because the Coast
Guard still retains this requirement in Sec. Sec. 10.227 and 10.231.
For Sec. 1.03-15(h)(2)(i), ``General,'' the Coast Guard adds the
option of electronic submission of an appeal for course approvals and
merchant mariner personnel to the Coast Guard. There are no
quantifiable cost or cost savings associated with this change because
the Coast Guard does not have data on the future use of electronic
submission for appeals. The Coast Guard still accepts the current
paper-copy submission method for appeals.
For Sec. 10.219(i)(1), ``Determination of Eligibility,'' the Coast
Guard adds the option of electronic submission of an eligibility
request to the Coast Guard for the items listed in 10.219(h). There are
no quantifiable cost or cost savings associated with this change
because the Coast Guard does not have data on the future use of
electronic submission with this item. The Coast Guard still accepts the
current paper-copy submission method for these requests.
For Sec. 14.307, ``Entries on certificate of discharge,'' the
information the Coast Guard removes in current paragraphs (d) and (e)
is currently contained in form CG-718A, ``Certificate of Discharge to
Merchant Mariner;'' therefore, there is no cost or cost savings
associated with this change.\10\ The Coast Guard removes, consolidates,
and condenses the existing regulatory text into paragraphs (a), (b),
and (c) of this section. The changes to this section do not change the
current OMB-approved ICR or alter its burden estimates because the
Coast Guard is not making any changes to the reporting requirements in
form CG-718A.
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\10\ This form is part of a currently OMB-approved Coast Guard
ICR with a control number of 1625-0012. Readers can access NMC's
website at <a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a> to
view this form and obtain information about the application process.
The Coast Guard accessed this web page in August 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost Savings Analysis for the Changes to Sec. 10.219(d)/Electronic
Payment of Fees
The Coast Guard amends Sec. 10.219(d) and removes the option for
applicants to pay merchant mariner credentialing fees in person at an
REC by cash or credit card (applicants who pay in person may also pay
by check or money order; because the Coast Guard does not collect data
on where these payments were made, and based on payment data from the
NMC, most applicants pay by cash or with a credit card in person) since
credit card transactions are processed by individual RECs and cash
payments are not accepted through standard mail. The Coast Guard
instead requires all payments to be made electronically through the
Government's payment system at <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>.\11\ For

[[Page 102316]]

payments made by check outside of an REC, applicants mailed the checks
to the Coast Guard by standard mail. With the final rule, the Coast
Guard still accepts payment by check, but applicants are required to
use a bank ACH payment through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. Applicants who mailed checks to
the Coast Guard will save the postage cost with this final rule. The
Coast Guard expects that applicants have access to the requisite
technology to pay credentialing fees through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. According to the
U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, approximately 95
percent of American households have one or more electronic devices such
as a desktop or laptop computer, a smartphone, or tablet.\12\ This
included over 90 percent of households that have an internet
subscription that will facilitate access to <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>.\13\ Even if an
applicant or household does not have access to a computer at home or
the internet individually, in this case, the Coast Guard assumes for
the purpose of this analysis, that an applicant may access a
smartphone, cellphone, or computer to submit an application to the
Coast Guard without incurring a cost.\14\ Additionally, with this final
rule, we assume that a small population of applicants affected by part
10.219(d), who submit applications at RECs currently, will choose to
continue to visit RECs and will continue to print receipts as proof of
payment. However, the Coast Guard is not able to determine the number
of applicants who will continue to visit RECs for this purpose.
Therefore, there is an unquantifiable cost of the final rule with
printing the receipts for a small number of applicants who visit RECs
to submit their applications. This results in a small, unknown
reduction in the total estimated cost savings of this rule.
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\11\ <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> accepts three payment types: credit card, prepaid
card, and ACH payments. The Coast Guard does not collect data on the
usage of prepaid cards for applicants who use <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. The Coast
Guard also did not estimate a cost (and subsequent cost savings) to
obtain these cards in this analysis because applicants can obtain
these cards when they are at grocery stores or other locations
without making a separate trip to specifically obtain the cards. In
this analysis, we assume for the unknown number of applicants who
choose to use a prepaid card to pay fees, already possess the card.
\12\ U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022, S2801
Types of Computers and internet Subscriptions: ACS 1-year Estimates
Subject Tables, Types of Computers, <a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S2801?q=internet">https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S2801?q=internet</a> access. The Coast Guard accessed this
web page in May 2024. The Census Bureau will release 2023 data in
September 2024. Readers can verify this information at, <a href="https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/news/data-releases/2023/release.html">https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/news/data-releases/2023/release.html</a> (``2023 Data Release New and Notable'' (<a href="http://census.gov">census.gov</a>)).
The Coast Guard accessed this web page in May 2024.
\13\ See footnote 15.
\14\ The Coast Guard acknowledges that there may be a small
portion of applicants in the affected population who may not own a
computer or have access to the internet to submit a MMC payment.
Readers can access these websites for further information on access
to the internet and the ownership of mobile phones in the United
States: <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/">https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/</a> and <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile">https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile</a>. The Coast Guard accessed these web pages in May 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicants may visit an REC for many reasons; for example, to take
an examination, to ask questions about the application process, submit
an application, pay the mandatory fees, obtain an oath from an
authorized individual, or for other reasons. This is notable in the
following cost savings analysis because the Coast Guard does not
include travel cost savings estimates for the affected applicants in
our analysis of the impact of the change to Sec. 10.219(d). The Coast
Guard reasons that, although it is possible for applicants to visit
RECs exclusively to pay MMC fees, the Coast Guard does not retain data
on the number of applicants who do so. In practice, the Coast Guard
assumes applicants do not visit an REC to solely pay the fees.
Therefore, the Coast Guard cannot attribute travel costs to applicants
who pay the mandatory fees in person at an REC. For example, applicants
may visit RECs to ask questions about the application process and may
decide to pay the fees during the same visit. Or applicants may visit
RECs to obtain an oath, not realizing that RECs accept in-person
payment, and may decide to pay the fees during this visit. The Coast
Guard also assumes that applicants pay the mandatory fees at one time.
The requirement for applicants to pay MMC fees electronically
through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> eliminates the flexibility to pay these fees by cash,
and money order, by standard mail, and directly at an REC (see footnote
number 13). However, with <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>, the Coast Guard believes applicants
will find this payment method to be more convenient and secure because
applicants are able to pay MMCs fees from their home instead of
traveling to an REC and expending the time and money by making a
payment in person, as we discuss later in this analysis. The Coast
Guard acknowledges that there may be a small subset of the applicant
population that still prefer to pay MMC fees in person instead of
through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> after an effective final rule.
The Coast Guard collects data for all payment transactions
including transactions for original MMC applications. Between 2015 and
2019, the Coast Guard recorded an annual average of 1,167 credit card
transactions for original applications made in person by applicants at
an REC. It also recorded an average annual of 8,791 credit card
transactions for other fees for a total average annual of 9,958 credit
card transactions over these 5 years. During the same period, the Coast
Guard recorded an average annual of 39 cash payment transactions for
original applications made in person by applicants at an REC. It also
recorded an average annual of 252 cash transactions for other fees for
a total average annual of 291 cash transactions for these 5 years.
Therefore, the total average annual number of transactions made in
person was approximately 10,249 over the 5-year time period.
The NMC estimates it takes applicants approximately 5 minutes, or
0.083 hours (rounded), to complete a payment through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. The NMC
estimates it takes a certain amount of time for applicants to make in-
person application payments at an REC. For applicants who pay by credit
card, the NMC estimates it takes approximately:
<bullet> 8 minutes, or approximately 0.13 hours (rounded), to enter
RECs due to security checks;
<bullet> 3.5 minutes, or approximately 0.06 hours (rounded) to wait
in line for a clerk; and
<bullet> 7.5 minutes, or approximately 0.13 hours (rounded) to make
the payment and complete the transaction, for a total of approximately
0.32 hours.
Therefore, the net amount of time (time difference) applicants save
by making payments electronically rather than by credit card in person
is approximately 0.237 hours (0.32-0.083 hours).
For applicants who pay by cash, the NMC estimates it takes
approximately:
<bullet> 8 minutes, or approximately 0.13 hours (rounded) to enter
RECs due to security checks;
<bullet> 3.5 minutes, or approximately 0.06 hours (rounded) to wait
in line for a clerk; and
<bullet> 6.0 minutes, or approximately 0.10 hours to make the
payment and complete the transaction, for a total of approximately 0.29
hours.
Therefore, the net amount of time applicants save from making
payments electronically rather than making cash payments in person is
approximately 0.207 hours (0.29-0.083 hours).
The payment time we used for <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> does not account for the time
to create a personal account on <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. Individual payments may be
made without creating an account. <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> provides the same
capabilities to pay credentialing and other fees and obtain a receipt
without creating an account. For this analysis, the Coast Guard assumes
individuals will not create an account because credentialing fees are
typically paid only once every five years, which aligns with the
validity

[[Page 102317]]

period of an MMC. Using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> infrequently does not necessitate the
need to create an account.
Anyone meeting the citizenship requirement under 46 CFR 10.221 and
of an eligible age can apply for an MMC, regardless of their current
employment status. For this regulatory analysis, the Coast Guard
assumed applicants for an original MMC are currently employed (this is
for original applications where an oath is currently required); this
allows the Coast Guard to construct a cost savings analysis, because we
can then obtain applicants' wage rates, the labor time, and the cost
savings associated with the removal of the in-person payment option.
Additionally, because the Coast Guard does not know the current
occupations of individuals who apply for an original MMC and pay fees
in person at an REC, the Coast Guard used the Bureau of Labor
Statistics' (BLS) ``Occupational and Employment Statistics'' database
and May 2023 wage estimates to obtain the general occupational code
(BLS code 00-0000) for all civilian workers in the U.S., which is the
largest occupational category of workers the Coast Guard found at BLS'
website.\15\ The unloaded mean hourly wage rate for this occupational
category is $31.48. The Coast Guard does not collect employment data on
applicants; nevertheless, the Coast Guard acknowledges that the
assumption of employment may lead to an overestimation of cost savings
for the final rule.
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\15\ The BLS defines civilian workers to be ``private industry
workers and State and local government workers.'' This includes
individuals in the private nonfarm economy excluding households and
the public sector excluding the Federal Government. Readers can view
BLS' glossary of terms at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/bls/glossary.htm">https://www.bls.gov/bls/glossary.htm</a>.
Readers can access BLS' website at: May 2023 National Occupational
Employment and Wage Estimates (<a href="http://bls.gov">bls.gov</a>) to obtain information about
the wages used in this analysis. The Coast Guard accessed BLS' web
page in May 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because fees are also paid in person at an REC mostly by applicants
other than original applicants, the Coast Guard used the BLS
occupational category, Water Transportation Workers (BLS code 53-5000)
to obtain the unloaded mean hourly wage rate for all applicants who pay
fees in person at RECs. The unloaded mean hourly wage rate in 2023 for
this occupational category is $38.00.
Because the Coast Guard used different occupational categories,
this required us to use two load factors to obtain an average load
factor.
To obtain a loaded mean hourly wage rate for civilian workers, the
Coast Guard used BLS' ``Employer Costs for Employee Compensation''
database to calculate the load factor for this group of workers in the
U.S. The Coast Guard used the same database to obtain a load factor for
the occupational category of Water Transportation Workers. The Coast
Guard then used the average load factor for these two groups of workers
in the U.S. The Coast Guard applied the load factor to the average
unloaded mean hourly wage rate using fourth quarter data from 2023 for
all applicants. The Coast Guard determined the average load factor for
the two occupational categories to be about 1.45, rounded.\16\ The
Coast Guard then multiplied this average load factor by the unloaded
mean hourly wage rate for applicants, who pay fees in person at RECs,
and obtained a loaded mean hourly wage rate of approximately $55.10,
rounded ($38.00 x 1.45).
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\16\ A loaded mean hourly wage rate is what a company pays per
hour to employ a person, not the hourly wage an employee receives.
The loaded mean hourly wage rate includes the cost of non-wage
benefits (health insurance, vacation, etc.). The Coast Guard
calculated the load factor by accessing BLS' website at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/">https://www.bls.gov/</a> and selecting the topic ``Data Tools'' from the menu on
this web page. Under this menu item, the Coast Guard selected the
category ``Top Picks, One Screen, Multi-Screen, and Maps.'' On the
next page titled, ``Databases, Tables, and Calculators by Subject,''
the Coast Guard selected used the category ``Pay and Benefits''.
Under the category, ``Employer Costs for Employee Compensation'', we
selected the ``Multi-Screen'' feature. This took us to <a href="https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?cm">https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?cm</a>. At this page titled, ''Create
Customized Tables'', or screen 1, the Coast Guard then selected the
category of ``Civilian Workers''. At screen 2, the Coast Guard first
selected the category ``Total Compensation,'' then we continued to
select ``All Workers'' at screens 3, 4, and 5. At screen 6, for
``Area'' the Coast Guard selected ``United States.'' At screen 7,
the Coast Guard selected the category ``Cost of Compensation.'' At
screen 8, the Coast Guard selected the category ``not seasonally
adjusted.'' At screen 9, the Coast Guard selected the series ID,
CMU1010000000000D. The Coast Guard used the ``Cost of Compensation''
for quarter 4 of 2023, or $45.42. The Coast Guard performed this
process again to obtain the value for ``Wages and Salaries,'' which
we selected on screen 2. On screen 9, the Coast Guard selected the
series ID CMU1020000000000D and obtained a value of $31.29. The
Coast Guard divided $45.42 by $31.29 and obtained a load factor of
1.45, rounded. The Coast Guard used the same methodology to obtain
the load factor for the occupational category for applicants other
than original applicants. However, instead of using the category of
``Civilian Workers'', the Coast Guard selected ``Private Industry
Workers'' at screen 1, ``Total Compensation'' at screen 2,
``Transportation and Material Moving Occupations'' at screen 3,
``All Workers'' at screens 4 and 5, ``United States'' at screen 6,
``Cost of Compensation'' at screen 7, ``not seasonally adjusted'' at
screen 8, and the series ID at screen 9, CMU 2010000520000D. The
Coast Guard again used the ``Cost of Compensation'' for quarter 4 of
2023, or $34.43. The Coast Guard then selected ``Wages and
Salaries,'' at screen 2. On screen 9, the Coast Guard selected the
series ID CMU2020000520000D and obtained a value of $23.89. The
Coast Guard divided $34.43 by $23.89 and obtained a load factor of
1.44, rounded. The Coast Guard then used the average of these two
load factors, which is 1.45, rounded. The Coast Guard accessed this
BLS' website in May 2024.
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Applicants (including original applicants) who currently pay the
fees by credit card at an REC are required to pay them electronically
using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> under this final rule. This affects approximately 9,958
applicants annually. The Coast Guard estimates the undiscounted cost
for these applicants to be approximately $45,541 annually (9,958 x
$55.10 x 0.083 hours), rounded. The Coast Guard estimates the
undiscounted baseline cost for applicants who currently pay the fees by
credit card in person at an REC to be approximately $175,580 annually
(9,958 x $55.10 x 0.32 hours), rounded. Therefore, the Coast Guard
estimates the undiscounted net cost savings to applicants who currently
pay the fees in-person by credit card and are now required to pay them
electronically through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> to be approximately $130,039 annually
($175,580-$45,541), rounded.
Similarly, applicants (including original applicants) who currently
pay the mandatory fees by cash at an REC are required to pay them
electronically using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> under this final rule. This affects
approximately 291 applicants annually. The Coast Guard estimates the
undiscounted cost for these applicants to be approximately $1,331
annually (291 x $55.10 x 0.083 hours). The Coast Guard estimates the
undiscounted baseline cost for applicants who currently pay the fees by
cash in person at an REC to be approximately $4,650 annually (291 x
$55.10 x 0.29 hours), rounded. Therefore, the Coast Guard estimates the
undiscounted net cost savings to applicants who currently pay the fees
by cash and will need to pay them electronically through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> to be
approximately $3,319 annually ($4,650-$1,331), rounded. The Coast Guard
estimates the total undiscounted net cost savings for 10,249 (9,958 by
credit card + 291 by cash) applicants who currently pay the mandatory
fees in-person by credit card and cash and will need to pay them
electronically through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> to be approximately $133,358 annually
($130,039 by credit card + $3,319 by cash), rounded. See table 4.

[[Page 102318]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.033

Lastly, the final rule creates cost savings for applicants, other
than original applicants, who paid mandatory fees by check or money
order in the past and mailed the payment to the Coast Guard through
standard mail, or USPS. Over the 7-year period from 2015 to 2021, the
Coast Guard recorded an annual average of 12,638 payments (10,146 by
check and 2,492 by money order) where an applicant used a check or
money order. Because this regulatory analysis is in 2023 dollars, the
cost of a forever stamp from the USPS in 2023 was $0.63.\17\ With this
final rule, applicants will be able to use a check or money order to
make mandatory fee payments with <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>; however, payments made by
check must be made with an ACH payment and for money orders, a prepaid
card (see footnote number 15). The Coast Guard did not estimate cost
savings for applicants who currently mail checks or money orders to the
Coast Guard and will be required to use <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> because we do not
estimate that there is a time difference between these two payment
methods and <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. The total undiscounted cost for these payment
types is approximately $7,962 annually, rounded. The final rule creates
cost savings in the same amount annually. The Coast Guard estimates the
total 10-year discounted cost savings for applicants who can no longer
mail a check or money order (cost savings are from the cost of a
forever stamp) to pay for mandatory fees to be approximately $55,921,
rounded, using a 7 percent discount rate. The Coast Guard estimates the
annualized cost savings to be approximately $7,962, rounded, using a 7-
percent discount rate.
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\17\ Readers can access USPS' website at <a href="https://www.usps.com">https://www.usps.com</a> to
find past postal rates or search online for USPS' ``Postal News'' or
``USPS Forever Stamps Postage Rate 2023''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In table 5, the Coast Guard presents the 10-year discounted cost
savings to applicants who currently paid the fees in person and are
required to pay them electronically under this final rule, and
applicants who paid the fees by check or money order and sent their
payments by standard mail to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard estimates
the total undiscounted cost savings for the electronic payment of fees
by applicants to be approximately $141,320 annually, rounded ($133,358
from in-person payments + $7,962 from mailed checks and money orders).
The Coast Guard estimates the total discounted 10-year cost savings for
these applicants to be approximately $1.0 million, rounded, using a 7-
percent discount rate. The Coast Guard estimates the annualized cost
savings to be approximately $141,320, rounded, using a 7-percent
discount rate.

[[Page 102319]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.034

Federal Government Cost Savings for the Change to Sec. 10.219(d)
This final rule creates cost savings for the Coast Guard in the
amount of time that is saved by REC personnel who no longer process in-
person payment transactions. The NMC estimates it takes fee clerks at
an REC approximately 5 minutes, or 0.083 hours (rounded), to process
credit card payments. Similarly, the NMC estimates it takes mandatory
fee clerks approximately 25 minutes, or 0.42 hours (rounded), to
process cash payments. This includes the processing time the fee clerk
takes to go to a bank and obtain a money order in order to complete the
payment transaction. There is no difference in the time it takes for a
fee clerk at an REC to process a check mailed to the Coast Guard and
the time it would take with this final rule to process an ACH payment.
There is also no difference in the time it takes for a fee clerk to
process a money mailed to the Coast Guard and the time it takes with
this final rule to process a prepaid card used from a money order.
Therefore, the Coast Guard does not estimate cost savings for the
Federal Government from not processing checks and money orders mailed
to the Coast Guard by applicants.
A fee clerk at an REC has a Federal Government General Schedule
(GS) grade level of GS-5. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
lists the hourly pay for Federal Government employees who work in the
United States.\18\ Because RECs are geographically dispersed across the
U.S., the Coast Guard used the hourly wage rate for the category ``Rest
of the United States'' from OPM's pay tables. OPM reports the hourly
pay for a person with the grade level of a GS-5, step 5 (the midpoint
of the pay level) as $20.47 in 2023. The Coast Guard calculated the
share of total compensation of Federal Government employees to account
for the non-wage benefits to determine the load factor that the Coast
Guard applied to the hourly wage rate of employees. In a Congressional
Budget Office (CBO) report titled ``Comparing the Compensation of
Federal and Private-Sector Employees, 2011 to 2015,'' the CBO reports
total compensation of Federal Government employees to be approximately
$64.80, and wages and salaries to be approximately $38.30.\19\ From
these values, the Coast Guard determined the load factor to be about
1.69, rounded ($64.80 / $38.30). The Coast Guard then multiplied this
value by the hourly wage rate of $20.47 to obtain a loaded hourly wage
rate of $34.59, rounded, for a GS-5, step 5 fee clerk at an REC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\18\ Readers can view the General Schedule of salaries for
Federal Government employees at <a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/23Tables/html/RUS_h.aspx">https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/23Tables/html/RUS_h.aspx</a>. The Coast Guard accessed this web page in May 2024.
\19\ Readers can view the report at, <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/52637-federalprivatepay.pdf">https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/52637-federalprivatepay.pdf</a>.
See pages 16 and 11 of the report, respectively. The Coast Guard
accessed this report in May 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Coast Guard estimates the baseline undiscounted cost for REC
fee clerks to process credit card transactions to be approximately
$28,589 annually, rounded ($34.59 x 9,958 credit card transactions
annually x 0.083 hours). The Coast Guard estimates the baseline
undiscounted cost for REC payment clerks to process cash transactions
to be approximately $4,228 annually, rounded ($34.59 x 291 cash
transactions annually x 0.42 hours). Because RECs no longer accept in-
person payments with this final rule, these costs combined become cost
savings to the Coast Guard of approximately $32,817 annually, rounded
($28,589 + $4,228). See table 6.

[[Page 102320]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.035

In table 7, the Coast Guard estimates the total discounted 10-year
cost savings of this final rule to the Coast Guard to be approximately
$230,491 rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. The Coast Guard
estimates the annualized cost savings to be approximately $32,817,
rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.036

Cost Savings Analysis for the Change to Sec. 10.225(c), Removal of the
Oath Requirement
The Coast Guard removes the current requirement in Sec. 10.225(c)
for applicants for an original MMC to take an oath administered by any
Coast Guard-designated individual or any person legally permitted to
administer oaths in the jurisdiction where the person taking the oath
resides. Typically, if an oath is not administered by a designated
Coast Guard official, it is administered by a notary public.\20\ When
an individual applies for an MMC, the individual must complete Form CG-
719B. They must either submit this form by email, in person, or send it
by standard mail to an REC.\21\ Currently, if applicants use a notary
public to administer their oath, the notary must sign the form along
with the applicant. The signature of the applicant is a testament to
the validity and accuracy of the information the individual is
providing to the Coast Guard and is an attestation to the statements in
Section 4, ``Mariner's Consent/Certification,'' of the form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ An oath an original applicant must take is a pronouncement
that an original applicant will abide by the rules and regulations
aboard a vessel, faithfully execute his or her duties, and obey the
superior officers of the vessel.
\21\ This form is part of a currently-approved OMB ICR with a
control number 1625-0040 and a title of ``Applications for Merchant
Mariners Credentials and Medical Certificates.'' Readers can access
NMC's website at <a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a>
to view this form and obtain information about the application
process. The Coast Guard accessed this web page in August 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

With this final rule, original applicants no longer need the
signature

[[Page 102321]]

of the notary public on Form CG-719B. However, applicants will still
need to sign the form, which alone is sufficient for Form CG-719B.
Currently, applicants for an original MMC who submit their
application in person at an REC can also take the oath there. There is
no cost to original applicants who take the oath before a designated
official at an REC and therefore, no cost savings. However, original
applicants, who do not visit an REC to submit their application, will
need to seek the service of a notary public elsewhere.
Original applicants can obtain notary public service at a bank or
another location where there are notary public services. The Coast
Guard assumes there is no cost for a notary public service at a bank if
an individual has a bank account there. Other establishments that
provide legal services may also provide notary public services, in
addition to State and local Government offices, including shipping
companies.\22\ However, these offices and establishments usually charge
for the public notary service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\22\ The Coast Guard acknowledges that Credit Unions, similar to
banks in the U.S., may also offer notary public services, free of
charge, for its members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Therefore, as mentioned previously in this RA, the Coast Guard
presents two assumptions that will each generate different cost savings
estimates for the change to Sec. 10.225(c). With each assumption, the
Coast Guard assumes all applicants who apply for an original MMC are
currently employed:
<bullet> Assumption 1--Approximately 13,951 individuals who applied
for an original MMC and took an oath before a designated official who
administers the oath, or a notary public at a bank where they have an
account free of charge.
<bullet> Assumption 2--Half the individuals, or approximately
6,976, who applied for an original MMC took an oath along with a notary
public service at a bank, and half obtained an oath elsewhere (perhaps
at a state office or an establishment that provides legal services
including notary public services), where a cost is associated with the
notary public service.
Earlier in this analysis, the Coast Guard established that one
payment transaction represents one original application with one oath.
Presumably, original applicants seek a notary public service at a bank,
where it is free of charge; this is our basis for Assumption 1.
However, because the Coast Guard does not have data on where original
applicants obtained an oath along with a notary public service, it is
possible that a certain number of original applicants obtained an oath
along with a notary public service outside of a bank; this is our basis
for Assumption 2. As such, the Coast Guard divided the population
evenly in Assumption 2.
With the Coast Guard's assumption that original applicants who
apply for MMCs are employed, this allows us to estimate the cost
savings associated with the change to Sec. 10.225(c) as we did for the
change to Sec. 10.219(d). Because original applicants who apply for
MMCs are members of the general public and not yet mariners, the Coast
Guard does not collect data on where these original applicants reside.
Therefore, the Coast Guard does not know where original applicants
reside relative to the location of banks or bank branches, or other
establishments that offer notary public services. This required the
Coast Guard to estimate the approximate distance original applicants
travel to get to a bank branch for Assumption 1, so the Coast Guard is
able to estimate the cost savings for them, because they no longer need
to travel to a bank branch to obtain a notary public service. To
perform this analysis, the Coast Guard required several pieces of
information to determine the distance original applicants must travel
to a bank or bank branch (and a notary public service in Assumption 2):
1. The number of bank branches in the United States;
2. The total U.S. population and the U.S. adult population; and
3. The number of square miles of the United States.
The St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank compiles and reports U.S.
economic data (Federal Reserve Economic Data, or ``FRED''). One of the
data items it reports is the number of bank branches in the United
States. FRED shows that there are 30.46 bank branches per 100,000
adults in the United States.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\23\ Readers can access the St. Louis Federal Reserve's ``FRED''
website at <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/#">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/#</a>. At this page, readers
should use the search feature and type the words ``bank branches''
in the search field. The resulting web page will show a graph of the
data and the value that the Coast Guard used for this analysis. The
Coast Guard accessed this web page in May 2024. With the
acknowledgement that Credit Unions also offer notary public services
(see footnote number 15), the Coast Guard did not include them in
this analysis because the National Credit Union Administration
(NCUA) reports the total number of Federally-insured Credit Unions
in its ``Quarterly Credit Union Data Summary 2023 Q4'' in the United
States (4,604 as of December 31, 2023) and not per a certain
population or certain group of individuals as FRED reports it.
Therefore, the Coast Guard cannot simply add the NCUA's number to
FRED's number because we would be combining incongruent data.
Readers can view this report at <a href="https://www.ncua.gov/files/publications/analysis/quarterly-data-summary-2023-Q4.pdf">https://www.ncua.gov/files/publications/analysis/quarterly-data-summary-2023-Q4.pdf</a>. The Coast
Guard accessed this website in May 2024. Readers should also note
that the number of bank branches has been in decline since 2000. See
the first link to the report by the Federal Reserve Bank of
Cleveland in footnote number 31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The U.S. Census Bureau in the U.S. Department of Commerce reports
population data for the United States. As of July 1, 2023, the U.S.
Census Bureau estimates the U.S. population to be approximately
334,914,895.\24\ The U.S. Census Bureau reports the number of
individuals below the age of 18 to be 21.7 percent of the total U.S.
population.\25\ Therefore, the number of adults in the United States
(individuals who are 18 years of age or older) is approximately
262,238,363, rounded ((1-0.222) x 334,914,895). The Coast Guard divided
this population by 100,000 to normalize the value to 100,000 (so it can
be scaled to and combined with FRED's data) and obtained the value of
approximately 2,622 (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\24\ For more information on U.S. census statistics and
estimates, readers can access the U.S. Census Bureau's website at
<a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045222">https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045222</a>. The Coast
Guard accessed this web page in May 2024.
\25\ ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To determine the number of bank branches for every adult in the
U.S., the Coast Guard multiplied 30.46 (number of bank branches) by
2,622 to obtain approximately 79,866 (rounded) bank branches.
Finally, as of 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau's Quick Facts shows the
number of square miles in the United States to be 3,533,038,
rounded.\26\ The Coast Guard then divided this value by 79,866 bank
branches to obtain the number of bank branches per square mile in the
United States, or approximately one bank branch for every 44 square
miles, or an area of 6.7 by 6.7 miles.\27\ This is equivalent to
approximately one bank branch every 6.7 miles.\28\ The Coast

[[Page 102322]]

Guard acknowledges that this methodology may not be completely
representative of the geographic distribution of bank branches in the
United States (the distribution of bank branches may change in the
future considering the steady decline in its numbers, particularly
since 2010); the distance we estimated is an approximation based on the
known statistics we present in this analysis from different sources.
Table 8 outlines the inputs used in these calculations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\26\ ibid.
\27\ We base this estimate on the information presented in this
RA. The actual number of bank branches in the U.S. may be less than
this amount. Readers may refer to this source for an alternate
estimate, <a href="https://www.bankbranchlocator.com">https://www.bankbranchlocator.com</a>. The Coast Guard
accessed this web page in May 2024.
\28\ The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reports the average
distance to a bank branch in urban and rural areas of the United
States to be about 1.5 miles and 4.3 miles, respectively, in 2020
(an average of about 2.9 miles combined), which is significantly
less than the distance we calculated in this analysis. Readers can
view the Cleveland Federal Reserve's report at this link, ``Has Bank
Consolidation Changed People's Access to a Full-Service Bank
Branch?'' (<a href="http://clevelandfed.org">clevelandfed.org</a>). In a working paper by the Federal
Reserve Bank of Chicago, it reports the median distance traveled to
a bank branch to be 5 miles on page 16 of the paper. Readers can
view this paper at <a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/-/media/publications/working-papers/2023/wp2023-15.pdf?sc_lang=en">https://www.chicagofed.org/-/media/publications/working-papers/2023/wp2023-15.pdf?sc_lang=en</a>. The Coast Guard
accessed these links in July 2023.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.037

For this analysis, the Coast Guard assumed that 13,951 original
applicants travel the same distance of 6.7 miles to obtain a notary
public service at a bank or bank branch. Using these data and
assumptions, it is possible to construct a cost savings analysis based
on the original applicants' travel time to a bank branch to obtain the
service of a notary public.
The population of original applicants applying for an MMC who seek
notary public services outside of an REC is approximately 13,951
annually (see Table 3). The Coast Guard does not collect data on how
original applicants travel to a bank or a notary public service and
acknowledges that original applicants can choose among different modes
of transportation, including walking or taking public transportation,
to do so. However, for the purpose of this analysis, the Coast Guard
assumed original applicants use their personal vehicles to accomplish
this task, which allows the Coast Guard to estimate the travel cost for
original applicants.
To construct this analysis for Assumptions 1 and 2, the Coast Guard
assumed that 13,951 original applicants travel approximately 6.7 miles
one way or about 13.4 miles round-trip to an establishment that has a
notary public service. See table 9.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.038

The Coast Guard shows the cost-saving elements for Assumption 1 and
2 in table 10. The Coast Guard estimated that the 13,951 original
applicants affected by the change to Sec. 10.225(c) save the travel
time or labor cost for travel (the value of travel time savings or
VTTS), the mileage cost, and the cost of time waiting at a bank or a
notary public service.\29\ The Coast Guard included these cost savings
in both Assumption 1 and 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\29\ The Department of Transportation (DOT) has guidance on VTTS
for individuals who use different modes of travel in the United
States. The VTTS is divided into two categories, local and intercity
travel. See table 1 on page 13 of the memorandum. Within these two
categories, there are two subcategories, personal and business
travel, in the first column of the table. Based on SME input from
the NMC, applicants will most likely obtain an oath on their
personal time. Therefore, we used the category, local personal
travel. In the second column of the table, the Coast Guard used the
category ``surface modes (except high-speed rail)''. Therefore, we
used the value of 50 percent of the mean hourly wage rate for the
VTTS. Readers can access DOT's memorandum at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/office-policy/transportation-policy/revised-departmental-guidance-valuation-travel-time-economic">https://www.transportation.gov/office-policy/transportation-policy/revised-departmental-guidance-valuation-travel-time-economic</a>. At this link,
to access the memorandum, readers should select the pdf document
titled, ``2016 Revised Value of Travel Time Guidance.pdf''. The
Coast Guard accessed this link in July 2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under Assumption 2, half of these original applicants, or about
6,976, also save the cost of the time it takes to complete a payment
transaction, either by credit card or by cash, at a notary public
service. The Coast Guard assumed half of these original applicants
currently pay by credit card and half by cash, for about 3,488 original
applicants choosing each payment method.
The Coast Guard acknowledges that there is a greater concentration
of banks and establishments with notary public services in urban and
metropolitan areas of the United States. Additionally, considering that
the population density of urban areas is greater than in rural areas,
it is likely that the population of original applicants is higher in
urban areas than in rural areas of the United States. Therefore, it is
likely that a

[[Page 102323]]

greater proportion of original applicants who apply for MMCs reside in
urban and metropolitan areas and may travel shorter distances to reach
these places, which will result in lower cost savings than the Coast
Guard estimated in this analysis. Nevertheless, this analysis
represents an analysis of averages because the Coast Guard does not
know where original applicants who apply for MMCs reside. The Coast
Guard acknowledges that bank branches (and notary public services) are
not equally distributed in the United States; the travel distance of
6.7 miles we estimated in this analysis is an approximate distance to a
bank branch or notary public service; the travel distance may vary for
some applicants who reside in suburban and rural areas of the United
States.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.039

In addition to the two main assumptions for the change to Sec.
10.225(c) that the Coast Guard presented earlier, we present a summary
of the other assumptions (some of which we may have presented earlier
in the analysis), that we included in the analysis for Assumptions 1
and 2:
1. Original applicants for an MMC are currently employed in another
occupation;
2. Affected original applicants live approximately 6.7 miles from a
bank branch or notary public;
3. Affected original applicants travel an equal distance of 6.7
miles to a bank branch or a notary public service;
4. The wait times and payment transaction times at bank branches
and notary public are the same as wait times at an REC; and
5. Original applicants use their privately-owned vehicle to travel
to a bank branch or a notary public service.
Cost Savings Analysis for Assumption 1 for the Change to Sec.
10.225(c)
With Assumption 1, the Coast Guard assumed 13,951 original
applicants currently obtain a notary public service for the purpose of
the oath at a bank, where there is no charge for the service if
original applicants have an account at the bank. Because the Coast
Guard does not know where original applicants live in proximity to the
location of bank branches, the Coast Guard assumed all 13,951 original
applicants travel about 6.7 miles one-way or about 13.4 miles round-
trip to a bank branch. Under this assumption, 13,951 original
applicants save the labor travel time or VTTS, the mileage cost, and
the time waiting at a bank branch to obtain a notary public signature
on Form CG-719B under this final rule.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\30\ For this analysis, the Coast Guard did not account for the
time it will take an applicant to park at a bank branch or notary
public service.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 102324]]

To obtain the time it takes to travel this distance, the Coast
Guard first accessed the Department of Transportation's (DOT) website
to access the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA)
web page to obtain the mean road speeds on all roads.\31\ The 2015
report shows the free-flow speed estimates (mph) for three road
classes: limited access, major arterial, and minor arterial roads/
collector roads. The Coast Guard used the mean speed for the minor
arterial/collector road class, which may be more representative of
roads used by applicants. NHTSA estimates the mean speed for minor
arterial/collector roads to be about 49.73 miles per hour (mph).\32\
The Coast Guard then divided the distance of about 6.7 miles (one way)
by 49.73 mph to obtain the time it takes to travel this distance, or
approximately 0.13 hours, rounded. The Coast Guard then divided the
round-trip distance of about 13.4 miles by 49.73 mph to obtain the time
it takes to travel this distance, or approximately 0.27 hours, rounded.
The Coast Guard recognizes that an unknown portion of applicants, who
live in urban areas, may travel at lower speeds than applicants in
suburban and rural areas of the United States to get to a bank branch
or notary public service. As a result, travel speeds may be lower than
the 49.73 mph speed we estimated in this regulatory analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\31\ At DOT's homepage, under the heading ``Explore DOT,'' the
Coast Guard selected the topic ``Roadways and Bridges.'' At this
page, under the heading ``Other Associated Agencies,'' the Coast
Guard selected the NHTSA link. There is no direct link, so in the
search feature, the Coast Guard typed the words ``traffic survey.''
The Coast Guard then selected the link titled ``National Traffic
Speeds Survey III: 2015 Traffic Tech.'' One result will appear, or a
pdf version of the report that the Coast Guard used in this
analysis. Readers can access the report at, <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/traffic_tech/812489_tt-national-traffic-speeds-survey-iii-2015.pdf">https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/traffic_tech/812489_tt-national-traffic-speeds-survey-iii-2015.pdf</a>. The Coast Guard accessed this web page
in in May 2024.
\32\ Readers should view the classification of roadways by DOT's
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to understand the types of
roadways used in DOT's survey found in footnote number 34. The 2013
document describes the classification of roadways by the FHWA and is
titled, ``Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and
Procedures'', which readers can find at <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/related/highway_functional_classifications/fcauab.pdf">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/related/highway_functional_classifications/fcauab.pdf</a>. The Coast Guard
accessed this link in July 2023.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

With this information, the Coast Guard then calculated the labor
cost for all original applicants who currently expend the time to
travel this distance to obtain a notary public service. Earlier, the
Coast Guard established the loaded mean hourly wage rate for original
applicants who apply for an MMCs to be approximately $45.65 (recall
that this labor rate is for original applicants who need to take an
oath; it is different than the labor rate for the mandatory fee portion
of this analysis). Using the value of 50 percent for the VTTS for
personal time (see footnote number 32), the Coast Guard calculated the
labor cost for the time to travel the 13.4-mile round-trip distance for
one original applicant to be approximately $6.16 ($45.65 x 0.50 x 0.27
hours). Therefore, the Coast Guard estimates the total undiscounted
labor travel time cost or VTTS, for 13,951 original applicants to be
approximately $85,938 annually, rounded (13,951 original applicants x
$6.16). Next, the Coast Guard calculated the mileage cost for these
original applicants to travel the round-trip distance. The Coast Guard
used the General Services Administration's (GSA) reimbursement rates
for original applicants who use their privately-owned vehicles.\33\ The
GSA reports the rate per mile to be $0.655 for calendar year 2023.
Using the round-trip distance of 13.4 miles, the Coast Guard estimates
the cost for one individual to make this trip to be approximately
$8.78, rounded (13.4 miles x $0.655). The Coast Guard estimates the
total undiscounted travel or mileage cost for 13,951 original
applicants to be approximately $122,490 annually, rounded (13,951
original applicants x $8.78).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\33\ To obtain the rates for privately owned vehicles for 2023,
at the Federal Register's homepage, search for ``Calendar Year (CY)
2023 Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates''.
This will take the reader to a GSA web page, at this page under
``Summary'', select the link, <a href="https://gsa.gov/ftrbulletins">https://gsa.gov/ftrbulletins</a>. At the
next page, select the bulletin with the date, 12/29/2022. This page
contains the mileage rate for POA or privately owned vehicles under
item ``3a'' of the bulletin. The Coast Guard accessed this web page
in May 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly, the Coast Guard calculated the waiting time at a bank
branch for 13,951 original applicants to obtain a notary public
signature on Form CG-719B. Because the Coast Guard assumed that waiting
times at RECs is similar to waiting times at bank branches, we used the
same waiting time that we used for original applicants who wait to pay
the fees at an REC, or approximately 3.5 minutes (readers should refer
to the earlier discussion of this estimate), or 0.06 hours, rounded.
The Coast Guard estimates the total undiscounted cost for 13,951
original applicants who currently wait at bank branches for a notary
public service to be approximately $38,212 annually, rounded (13,951 x
$45.65 x 0.06 hours).
The Coast Guard estimates the total undiscounted cost for 13,951
original applicants affected by the changes to Sec. 10.225(c) and who
currently travel to bank branches to obtain a free notary public
service to be approximately $246,640 annually, rounded ($85,938 +
$122,490 + $38,212). This estimate is for Assumption 1 of the analysis.
Therefore, in this final rule, the Coast Guard estimates the total
undiscounted cost savings to these original applicants, who no longer
need to obtain notary public service at bank branches, to be
approximately $246,640 annually, rounded. See table 11.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.040

[[Page 102325]]

The Coast Guard estimates the total discounted cost savings, under
Assumption 1, over a 10-year period of analysis to be approximately
$1.7 million, rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. The Coast Guard
estimates the annualized cost savings to be approximately $246,640,
rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. See table 12.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.041

Cost Savings Analysis for Assumption 2 for the Change to Sec.
10.225(c)
Because the Coast Guard does not collect data on where original
applicants obtain a notary public service, with Assumption 2, the Coast
Guard assumed half of the original applicants who currently apply for
an MMC obtain a notary public service at a bank branch free of charge
and half at a notary public, where there is a fee for the service. The
half of the affected population who currently obtain a notary public
service at a location other than a bank branch under this assumption
consists of approximately 6,976 original applicants. As in Assumption
1, 13,951 original applicants travel the same distance of about 6.7
miles one-way or about 13.4 miles round-trip to a bank branch or a
notary public service. For the time and the associated labor cost, it
does not make a difference if these original applicants travel to a
notary public service rather than a bank branch; they still incur the
same labor cost for the travel time as in Assumption 1. The Coast Guard
estimated earlier this total undiscounted labor cost, or labor travel
time cost (VTTS), for 13,951 original applicants to be approximately
$85,938 annually, rounded.
Similarly, these original applicants incur a mileage cost. As in
Assumption 1, it does not make a difference if they travel to a notary
public service rather than a bank branch; they still incur a mileage
cost. The Coast Guard estimated earlier the total undiscounted travel
or mileage cost, for 13,951 original applicants, to be approximately
$122,490 annually, rounded.
Again, as in Assumption 1, 13,951 original applicants incur the
cost to wait at a bank branch or a notary public service. The Coast
Guard estimates the total undiscounted cost for 13,951 original
applicants who currently wait at bank branches or at a notary public
service to be approximately $38,212 annually, rounded.
With Assumption 2, the Coast Guard added the cost for half of the
original applicants, or about 6,976, who pay for the notary public
service outside of a bank branch. Similar to the payment of mandatory
fees presented earlier, the Coast Guard assumed original applicants pay
for a notary public with either a credit card or cash. For this
analysis, the Coast Guard assumed half of the original applicants who
currently pay for a notary public pay by credit card and half by cash.
For the approximately 3,488 original applicants who currently pay by
credit card, the Coast Guard used the same time estimate for this
method of payment as we did for the payment of fees earlier, or
approximately 0.13 hours (7.5 minutes each). The Coast Guard estimated
the total undiscounted cost for these original applicants who currently
pay by credit card to be approximately $20,700 annually, rounded (3,488
x $45.65 x 0.13).
The Coast Guard estimated the time for original applicants who
currently pay by cash to be approximately 0.10 hours (6.0 minutes
each). For the approximately 3,488 original applicants who currently
pay by cash, the Coast Guard estimated the total undiscounted cost to
be approximately $15,923 annually, rounded (3,488 x $45.65 x 0.10).
The last of the five cost elements for Assumption 2 (which are
cost-saving elements with this final rule) is the cost for the notary
public service itself. The Coast Guard obtained the cost for notary
public services in the U.S. from the organization National Notary
(<a href="http://NationalNotary.org">NationalNotary.org</a>). Readers should

[[Page 102326]]

refer to footnote 11 for more information. This organization provides
cost data for 2024 for notary public services throughout the United
States, including Washington DC and U.S. territories.
The Coast Guard included fees from all 50 states and Washington DC
in this analysis.\34\ Because the organization provides a fee schedule
for verbal oaths, the Coast Guard used these fees as a proxy for the
signature of the notary public on Form CG719B. The fee varies from
state to state with the lowest amount being $2 and the highest $25. Ten
states do not have a fee schedule or do not charge a fee altogether;
nevertheless, the Coast Guard took the statistical average of the fees
for all 50 states and Washington, DC, for an average amount of
approximately $6.16, rounded. Therefore, the Coast Guard estimates the
total undiscounted cost for original applicants in this assumption who
pay for a notary public service to be approximately $42,970 annually,
rounded (6,976 x $6.16).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\34\ National Notary also includes fees for U.S. territories,
with the highest amount being $25. The Coast Guard did not include
the fees for U.S. territories in this analysis, because we have
sufficient national data for this analysis. We used 2024 fee data
because National Notary does not list fees for 2023 on its website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Coast Guard estimates the total undiscounted cost for original
applicants in Assumption 2 for the changes to Sec. 10.225(c) in this
final rule to be approximately $326,232 annually, rounded ($85,938 +
$122,490 + $38,212 + $20,700 + $15,923 + $42,970). Therefore, the Coast
Guard estimates the total undiscounted cost savings to original
applicants who no longer need to obtain a notary public service at bank
branches or notary public services to be approximately $326,232
annually, rounded. See table 13.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.042

The Coast Guard estimates the total discounted cost savings under
Assumption 2 over a 10-year period of analysis to be approximately $2.3
million, rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. The Coast Guard
estimated the annualized cost savings to be approximately $326,232,
rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. See table 14.

[[Page 102327]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.043

As noted earlier, the cost savings that the Coast Guard estimated
for Assumptions 1 and 2 for the change to Sec. 10.225(c) do not
include the cost savings from the change to Sec. 10.219(d). However,
in table 1 of this RA, where we present the total cost savings
estimates of the final rule, the Coast Guard included the cost savings
estimates for the change to Sec. 10.219(d), because the Coast Guard
must add the cost savings from Sec. 10.225(c) to the cost savings
estimate for Sec. 10.219(d). Also recall that only one of the two main
assumptions of this analysis will hold. The Coast Guard presented two
different scenarios, because we do not know where affected original
applicants currently obtain a notary public service.
For Assumption 1 and including the cost savings estimates from the
change to Sec. 10.219(d), the Coast Guard estimates the total
undiscounted cost savings of the final rule to be approximately
$387,959 annually, rounded ($246,640 from Assumption 1 and Sec.
10.225(c) + $141,320 from Sec. 10.219(d)). The Coast Guard estimated
the 10-year total discounted cost savings of the final rule to be
approximately $2.7 million, rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate.
The Coast Guard estimated the annualized cost savings to be
approximately $387,959, rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate. See
table 15.

[[Page 102328]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.044

Readers should compare the total cost savings estimate and
annualized cost savings estimate for the final rule in table 15 with
the total cost savings estimate of the final rule for Assumption 1 in
table 1.
For Assumption 2 and including the cost savings estimates from the
change to Sec. 10.219(d), the Coast Guard estimates the total
undiscounted cost savings of the final rule to be approximately
$467,552 annually, rounded ($326,232 from Assumption 2 and Sec.
10.225(c) + $141,320 from Sec. 10.219(d)). The Coast Guard estimates
the 10-year total discounted cost savings of the final rule for
Assumption 2 to be approximately $3.3 million, rounded, using a 7-
percent discount rate. The Coast Guard estimates the annualized cost
savings to be approximately $467,552, rounded, using a 7-percent
discount rate. See table 16.

[[Page 102329]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.045

Readers should compare the total cost savings estimate and
annualized cost savings estimate for the final rule in table 16 with
the total cost savings estimate of the final rule for Assumption 2 in
table 1.
Including Federal Government cost savings, the Coast Guard
estimates the 10-year total discounted cost savings of the final rule
under Assumption 1 to be about $2.96 million ($2,724,864 from table 15
and $230,491 from table 7), rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate.
We estimate the annualized cost savings to be approximately $420,776,
rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate ($387,959 from table 15 +
$32,817 from table 7). See table 17.
Including Federal Government cost savings, the Coast Guard
estimates the 10-year total discounted cost savings of the final rule
under Assumption 2 to be about $3.5 million ($3,283,889 from table 16
and $230,491 from table 7), rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate.
We estimate the annualized cost savings to be approximately $500,369,
rounded, using a 7-percent discount rate ($467,552 from table 16 +
$32,817 from table 7). See table 17.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17DE24.046

Unquantifiable Benefits of the Final Rule
This final rule creates unquantifiable benefits for MMC applicants.
This includes the flexibility to submit documents electronically; the
changes are contained in Sec. Sec. 1.03-15(h)(2)(i) and 10.219(i)(1).
Because this is an option in the future, the Coast Guard does not have
data at this point to estimate the cost savings that are associated
with the electronic submission of documents, if applicants were to
choose this option.
The use of <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> provides a benefit to applicants because it is a
free and

[[Page 102330]]

secure service that allows applicants to make payments to most Federal
Government agencies. <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> uses the latest industry-standard payment
methods and encryption technology to safely collect, store, transmit,
and protect applicants' personal information throughout the payment
process. Applicants can access and make payments through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, and every day of the year, including
holidays.
In table 2, the Coast Guard lists the unquantifiable benefits where
the regulatory text changes are more than minor grammatical changes.
Analysis of Alternatives
(1) Industry would continue to meet the current requirements in
subchapter A, part 1 and subchapter B, parts 10-16 of title 46 of the
CFR (current baseline without regulatory action).
This alternative represents the current state of the MCP with no
updates to 46 CFR subchapter A, part 1 and subchapter B, parts 10-16.
The Coast Guard rejected this alternative, because it does not require
that applicants pay mandatory fees electronically through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. This
alternative maintains all the current, estimated, undiscounted costs
between $246,640 and $326,232 annually, rounded (see the estimated
costs under Assumptions 1 and 2, respectively, in the preferred
alternative). The Coast Guard also continues to request applicants
provide receipt of payment when using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> (for example, attach
receipt to applications and provide receipt for MCP services) although
this is not required. Applicants still have the option of paying
mandatory fees in person at an REC through cash, check, credit card,
and money order. Although in-person payments remain an option, these
applicants would not realize potential cost savings by using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>.
In-person and standard mail payments made by applicants maintain the
options that currently exist, which some applicants may find more
convenient (for in-person payments, perhaps as a customer service
benefit) over payments by electronic means. This alternative would also
not result in time and cost savings to original applicants, who would
still be required to take an oath before an authorized individual.
Additionally, this alternative would not clarify existing regulatory
text.
(2) The Coast Guard would update regulatory requirements to align
with a new MCP IT system and update mandatory fees with an incentive
for electronic payment.
With this alternative, the Coast Guard would replace the current
MMLD database and would propose changes to 46 CFR parts 10 through 14
and 16 to increase electronic submission of documents to support the
credentialing process. With this alternative, the Coast Guard would
provide an incentive to applicants to electronically pay mandatory fees
through <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>. It would be beneficial to applicants, who would save
time and money; however, the Coast Guard is unable to estimate a cost
savings for this item under this alternative because it would require a
lengthy analysis of the Coast Guard's mandatory fee program.
The Coast Guard rejected this alternative because the update would
require additional regulatory action to allow for future changes in the
system, and any changes to mandatory fees would require further study
and analysis by the Coast Guard, which would require the use of limited
additional time and resources.
(3) The Coast Guard would update regulatory requirements to align
with a new MCP IT system and require electronic payment but would not
address mandatory fees.
With this alternative, the Coast Guard would not update the
mandatory fees together with the requirement for the electronic payment
of fees by individuals through a new MCP IT system. However, the Coast
Guard kept the requirement under the preferred alternative (final rule)
for the electronic payment of fees by applicants saving them
approximately $141,320 annually, rounded (see the analysis for the
preferred alternative for the derivation of this estimate), because it
would not be connected to a new MCP IT system.
The Coast Guard rejected this alternative because the new system is
at the beginning stages of development, and, as a result, the Coast
Guard is unable to estimate the economic impact of this new system on
applicants and companies. Therefore, the Coast Guard cannot accurately
determine any adjustments to mandatory fees based on the new system's
capabilities, potential costs to support the system, or cost savings
generated from the system.
(4) Preferred Alternative--Update 46 CFR subchapter A, part 1 and
subchapter B, parts 10-16 to update regulatory requirements to align
with a new MCP IT system, require the electronic payment of fees and
the option of electronic submission of supporting documents for an MMC
application, remove the requirement for an oath to be administered by
an authorized individual, and make editorial and non-substantive
changes that clarify existing regulatory text.
We selected this preferred alternative because with this final
rule, applicants will be required to pay mandatory fees electronically
using <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a>, which will result in cost savings to them from not
having to visit RECs in person. Additionally, applicants will benefit
from this final rule because it will create an option for the
electronic submission of certain documents in Sec. Sec. 1.03-
15(h)(2)(i) and 10.219(i)(1). However, it should be noted that this
preferred alternative removes the flexibility for applicants who wish
to continue to pay the mandatory fees in person. We analyzed the time
and cost difference between the different payment methods and the
requirement to use <a href="http://Pay.gov">Pay.gov</a> previously in this regulatory analysis.
This alternative also aligns with Department of Treasury
regulations for promoting efficient, effective cash management through
improved billing, collection, deposit, and payment of funds. The Coast
Guard also removes the requirement for an oath to be taken by original
applicants when they submit their MMC application. This saves time and
money for original applicants who no longer need to travel to a bank or
a bank branch or a notary public service to have the oath administered.
Lastly, the Coast Guard makes numerous editorial changes to the
affected CFR subchapters that clarify existing regulatory text. The
Coast Guard analyzed and presented the cost savings and other
unquantifiable benefits associated with this alternative earlier in
this RA.

B. Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, we
have considered whether this final rule has a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000.
Based on the analysis in Section A, Regulatory Planning and Review,
we found this final rule does not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities. The provisions of this final
rule, which have an economic impact, affect individuals who apply for
an MMC and do not directly regulate small entities. These include
provisions that require electronic payment of merchant mariner
credentialing fees in Sec. 10.219(d), remove the requirement for an
oath to be administered by an authorized official on Form CG-719B in
Sec. 10.225(c), and

[[Page 102331]]

allow for the electronic submission of certain documents in Sec. 1.03-
15(h)(2)(i) for appeals involving course approvals and merchant mariner
personnel issues and in Sec. 10.219(i) for requests involving no-fee
MMCs. Since individual members of the public that are applying for MMCs
are not considered to be small entities under the RFA, we have found
that no small entities are impacted by these provisions of the final
rule.
Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that
this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities because based on our analysis, the
provisions of the final rule that have an economic impact (which also
include editorial changes) affect applicants and do not directly
regulate or affect small entities. The changes we made to all of the
remaining provisions are editorial in nature (see table 4 in Section V,
Regulatory Analysis, for a list of these changes).

C. Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we offer to assist small
entities in understanding this final rule so that they can better
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. The
Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or
complain about this final rule or any policy or action of the Coast
Guard.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
(1-888-734-3247).

D. Collection of Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires
the U.S. Coast Guard to consider the impact of paperwork and other
information collection burdens imposed on the public. According to the
1995 amendments to the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not
collect or sponsor the collection of information, nor may it impose an
information collection requirement unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
The Coast Guard has determined that the final rule will not result
in a new collection nor modify an existing collection of information.
Thus, this final rule does not change the burden, number of
respondents, or number of responses in the collections currently
approved by OMB under OMB Control Numbers 1625-0012 with a title of
``Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners'' and 1625-0040 with a
title of ``Applications for Merchant Mariners Credentials and Medical
Certificates.''

E. Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132
(Federalism) if it has a substantial direct effect on States, on the
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 and
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132. Our analysis follows.
It is well settled that States may not regulate in categories
reserved for regulation by the Coast Guard. It is also well settled
that all of the categories covered in 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 7101, and
8101 (design, construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation,
equipping, personnel qualification, and manning of vessels), as well as
the reporting of casualties and any other category in which Congress
intended the Coast Guard to be the sole source of a vessel's
obligations, are within the field foreclosed from regulation by the
States. See the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Locke and
Intertanko v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89, 120 S.Ct. 1135 (2000). Therefore,
because the States may not regulate within these categories, this rule
is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption
requirements described in Executive Order 13132.

F. Unfunded Mandates

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538,
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for
inflation) or more in any one year. Although this rule will not result
in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630 (Governmental
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights).

H. Civil Justice Reform

This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
of Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

I. Protection of Children

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045 (Protection
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks). This
rule is not an economically significant rule and will not create an
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.

J. Indian Tribal Governments

This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order
13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments),
because it will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

K. Energy Effects

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211 (Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use). We have determined that it is not a
``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy. We have determined that it is not a
``significant energy action'' under Executive Order 13211, because
although it is a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, it is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on
the supply, distribution, or use of energy, and the Administrator of
OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated
it as a significant energy action.

L. Technical Standards and Incorporation by Reference

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, codified as a
note to 15 U.S.C. 272, directs agencies to use voluntary consensus
standards in

[[Page 102332]]

their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress,
through OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards would be
inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary
consensus standards are technical standards (for example,
specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test
methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices)
that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

M. Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing
instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series),
which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made
a determination that this action is one of a category of actions that
do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the
human environment. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting
this determination is available in the docket. For instructions on
locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble. This
final rule is categorically excluded under paragraphs L54 and L56 of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.
Paragraph L54 pertains to regulations that are editorial or procedural.
Paragraph L56 pertains to regulations concerning the training,
qualifying, licensing, and disciplining of maritime personnel.
This final rule involves regulatory changes that are needed for
implementation of a new information technology system that will replace
the current MMLD database used by the Coast Guard to process mariner
credentials. This new system features an electronic platform for
activities such as mariners providing documents for applying for or
maintaining mariner credentials, or submitting associated fees. In
addition, the rule includes technical amendments, such as updates, to
addresses and websites necessary for accessing or using MMLD.

List of Subjects

46 CFR Part 1

Administrative practice and procedure, Organization and functions
(Government agencies), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

46 CFR Part 10

Penalties, Personally identifiable information, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.

46 CFR Part 11

Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Schools,
Seamen.

46 CFR Part 12

Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.

46 CFR Part 13

Cargo vessels, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen.

46 CFR Part 14

Oceanographic research vessels, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Seamen.

46 CFR Part 15

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seamen, Vessels.

46 CFR Part 16

Drug testing, Marine safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Safety, Transportation.

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
amending 46 CFR parts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 as follows:

PART 1--ORGANIZATION, GENERAL COURSE AND METHODS GOVERNING MARINE
SAFETY FUNCTION

0
1. The authority citation for part 1 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 14 U.S.C. 503; 46 U.S.C. 7701; 46
U.S.C. Chapter 93; Secs. 101, 888, and 1512, Pub. L. 107-296, 116
Stat. 2135; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; Sec.
1.01-35 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507; and Sec.
1.03-55 also issued under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 3306(j).

0
2. Amend Sec. 1.01-15 by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:

Sec. 1.01-15 Organization; Districts; National Maritime Center.

* * * * *
(e) Applicants for merchant mariner credentials may apply to the
Coast Guard National Maritime Center or any of the NMC detachments.
Applicants may contact the National Maritime Center at 100 Forbes
Drive, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25404, by telephone at 1-888-I-ASK-
NMC (1-888-427-5662), by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d39a9280989d9e9093a6a0b0b4fdbebabf">[email&#160;protected]</a>, or online chat at
website <a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a>. A list of
NMC detachment locations is available through the website.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec. 1.03-15 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (h)(2)(i); and
0
b. In paragraph (h)(2)(ii), remove the period after the words ``2703
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 1.03-15 General.

* * * * *
(h) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) Appeals involving course approvals and merchant mariner
personnel issues must be in writing and mailed or electronically
submitted to the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC),
U.S. Coast Guard, Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20593-7509, by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d895959b88b7b4b1bba198adabbbbff6b5b1b4">[email&#160;protected]</a>, or as
prescribed by the Coast Guard.
* * * * *

PART 10--MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL

0
4. The authority citation for part 10 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 14 U.S.C. 503; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103,
2104, 2110; 46 U.S.C. chapter 71; 46 U.S.C. chapter 73; 46 U.S.C.
chapter 75; 46 U.S.C. 7701, 8903, 8904, and 70105; Executive Order
10173; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

0
5. In part 10:,
0
a. Remove ``his or her'' wherever they appear, and add in their place
``their''; and
0
b. Remove ``he or she'' wherever they appear, and add in their place
``they''.

0
6. Amend Sec. 10.107 as follows:
0
a. Revise the definition of ``Regional examination center or REC''; and
0
b. Add a definition of ``Written, writing, or in writing''.
The revision and addition read as follows:

Sec. 10.107 Definitions in subchapter B.

* * * * *
Regional examination center or REC means a field office of the
National Maritime Center that performs activities as required by this
subchapter on behalf of the National Maritime Center.
* * * * *
Written, writing, or in writing means handwritten in ink,
mechanically or electronically printed, or any form of expression that
can be read, reproduced, or later communicated including electronically
submitted and stored information.
* * * * *

[[Page 102333]]

Sec. 10.203 [Amended]

0
7. Amend Sec. 10.203 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b), remove the text, ``, license, MMD, COR, or STCW
endorsement''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove the text, ``an MMD and an MMC serve'' and
add, in its place, the text, ``an MMC serves''.

0
8. Amend Sec. 10.209 by revising the introductory text of paragraph
(d) and paragraphs (d)(1) through (3) to read as follows:

Sec. 10.209 General application procedures.

* * * * *
(d) The application may be submitted in a manner prescribed by the
Coast Guard that may include in person, by mail, or other electronic
means. A complete MMC application, which is described in Sec. Sec.
10.223, 10.225, 10.227, 10.229, and 10.231 may include--
(1) The application, consent for National Driver Register (NDR)
check, oath, and the evaluation fee required by Sec. 10.219 of this
part;
(2) The applicant's continuous discharge book, certificate of
identification, and MMC if expired;
(3) Proof, in a manner prescribed by the Coast Guard, which may
include forms or other means, that the applicant passed the applicable
vision, hearing, medical, or physical exam as required by subpart C of
this part, or an unexpired medical certificate issued by the Coast
Guard;
* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec. 10.211 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (c); and
0
b. In paragraph (f), remove the word ``furnishes'' and add, in its
place, the word ``furnish''; and
0
c. In paragraph (i), remove the words ``has applied'' and add, in their
place, the words ``have applied''.
The revision reads as follows:

Sec. 10.211 Criminal record review.

* * * * *
(c) Criminal convictions. The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) will provide to the Coast Guard the applicant's
FBI number and criminal record generated in the TWIC review process.
This information will be used by the Coast Guard to determine whether
the applicant has a record of any criminal convictions.
* * * * *

0
10. Amend Sec. 10.217 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec. 10.217 Merchant mariner credential application and examination
locations.

(a) Applicant Locations. Applicants for an MMC may apply to any of
the Regional Examination Centers (RECs) or any other location
designated by the Coast Guard. Applicants may contact the National
Maritime Center at 100 Forbes Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404, by
telephone 1-888-427-5662 or 304-433-3400, or by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fd6deccd4d1d2dcdfeaecfcf8b1f2f6f3">[email&#160;protected]</a>. A list of locations approved for application
submittal is available through the Coast Guard website at <a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a>.
* * * * *

0
11. Amend Sec. 10.219 by revising paragraphs (d) and (i)(1) to read as
follows:

Sec. 10.219 Fees.

* * * * *
(d) Unless the Coast Guard provides additional payment options, fee
payment must be for the exact amount and must be made by electronic
payment in a manner specified by the Coast Guard. For information
regarding current forms of electronic payment, go to the National
Maritime Center's (NMC) website, <a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a>.
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) An organization may submit a written request in a manner
prescribed by the Coast Guard that may include mail, email, or
electronic means to U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, 100
Forbes Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404, at email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db929a88909596989baea8b8bcf5b6b2b7">[email&#160;protected]</a>, in
order to be considered an eligible organization under the criteria set
forth in paragraph (h) of this section. With the written request, the
organization must provide evidence of its status as a youth-oriented,
not-for-profit, charitable organization.
* * * * *

0
12. Amend Sec. 10.223 by revising paragraph (c)(5) to read as follows:

Sec. 10.223 Modification or removal of limitations or scope.

* * * * *
(c) * * *
(5) Any expired MMC held by the applicant. If still valid at the
time of application, the applicant must surrender the old, original
credential to the Coast Guard within 30 days of issuance of the new
credential. If requested at the time of submission, the old MMC may be
returned to the applicant after cancellation.
* * * * *

0
13. Amend Sec. 10.225 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

Sec. 10.225 Requirements for original merchant mariner credentials.

* * * * *
(c) Oath. Every person who receives an original MMC must first
solemnly swear or affirm, that they will faithfully and honestly,
according to their best skill and judgment, without concealment or
reservation, perform all the duties required by law and obey all lawful
orders of superior officers. This affirmation remains binding for any
subsequently issued MMC and endorsements added to the MMC, unless
specifically renounced in writing.

Sec. 10.227 [Amended]

0
14. Amend Sec. 10.227 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``present'' and add, in its place, the word
``provide'' wherever it appears;
0
b. Remove the word ``Present'' and add, in its place, the word
``Provide'' wherever it appears;
0
c. In paragraph (d)(4):
0
i. Remove the word ``uncanceled'' and add, in its place, the words
``expired or uncanceled''; and
0
ii. Remove the word ``photocopy'' and add, in its place, the word
``copy'';
0
d. In paragraph (e)(1)(iv), remove the words ``license or'';
0
e. In paragraph (e)(6)(ii), remove the words ``License or'';
0
f. In paragraph (h), remove the words ``A license, MMD, COR, STCW
endorsement, MMC, and any endorsements thereon, are'' and add, in their
place, the words ``An MMC, and any endorsements thereon, is''; and
0
g. In paragraph (i)(1), remove the words ``presentation of'' and add,
in their place, the words ``providing evidence of''.

0
15. Amend Sec. 10.231 by revising paragraph (c)(5) to read as follows:

Sec. 10.231 Requirements for raises of grade or new endorsements.

* * * * *
(c) * * *
(5) Any expired or uncanceled MMD, MMC, license, STCW endorsement,
or COR held by the applicant. If one or more of these credentials are
still valid at the time of application, a copy--front, back, and all
attachments--will satisfy this requirement.
* * * * *

Sec. 10.232 [Amended]

0
16. Amend Sec. 10.232 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the word ``presented'' and add, in its
place, the word ``provided'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(4), remove the word ``licensed'' and add, in its
place, the word ``credentialed''; and
0
c. In paragraph (d)(6), remove the word ``License'' and add, in its
place, the word ``credential''.

[[Page 102334]]

Sec. 10.233 [Amended]

0
17. Amend Sec. 10.233 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the text ``License, MMD, COR, or'';
0
b. In paragraph (b), after the words ``made in writing'' add the words
``and provided in a manner specified by the Coast Guard''; and
0
c. In paragraph (c), after the word ``Invalid'', add the words ``or
expired''.

Sec. 10.235 [Amended]

0
18. Amend Sec. 10.235 by removing the text ``, License, MMD, and COR''
wherever it appears.

0
19. In Sec. 10.239, amend Table 1 by revising the entry ``MODU
licenses'' to read as follows:

Sec. 10.239 Quick reference table for MMC requirements.

* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 10.239: Quick Reference Table for MMC Requirements
* * * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommendations Demonstration
Endorsement category Minimum age Citizenship Medical and Experience and character Firefighting Professional exam of professional Recency of service First aid and CPR
physical exam check ability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * * *
MODU............................ Sec. 11.201(e); U.S., Sec. 10.302(a)... OIM: Sec. N/A: Sec. 11.201(h): Sec. 11.201(j); N/A original Sec. Sec. 11.201(i).
Note: exceptions. Sec. 11.470; Note exceptions in note exceptions. Sec. 11.903; 11.201
10.221(a)(1);. B.S.: Sec. Sec. 11.201(g) Sec. 11.920. (c)(2); renewal...
Sec. 11.201(d)... 11.472;. for original Sec. 10.227(e)..
BCO: Sec. national or STCW
11.474;. endorsements.
ChEng: Sec.
11.542; Asst.
Eng: Sec.
11.544.

* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 10.302 [Amended]

0
20. In Sec. 10.302(a), remove the words ``as appropriate'' and add, in
their place, the words ``or as directed by the Coast Guard''.

Sec. 10.404 [Amended]

0
21. Amend Sec. 10.404 by removing the text ``, License, or document''
wherever it appears.

Sec. 10.405 [Amended]

0
22. In Sec. 10.405, remove the words ``has attained'' wherever they
appear and add, in their place, the words ``have attained''.

Sec. 10.407 [Amended]

0
23. In Sec. 10.407(g)(3), remove the text ``paragraph (d)'' and add,
in its place, the text ``paragraph (e)''.

Sec. 10.409 [Amended]

0
24. In Sec. 10.409(e), remove the word ``present'' and add, in its
place, the word ``provide''.

PART 11--REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICER ENDORSEMENTS

0
25. The authority citation for part 11 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 14 U.S.C. 503; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103,
and 2110; 46 U.S.C. chapter 71; 46 U.S.C. 7502, 7505, 7701, 8903,
8904, 8906, and 70105; Executive Order 10173; DHS Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 11.107 is also issued under the
authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

0
26. In part 11, revise the following references wherever they appear:
0
a. ``his or her'' to read ``their''; and
0
b. ``he or she'' to read ``they''.

Sec. 11.102 [Amended]

0
27. In Sec. 11.102(a), remove the period after the text ``2703 Martin
Luther King Jr. Avenue SE''.

Sec. 11.201 [Amended]

0
28. Amend Sec. 11.201 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c)(4), remove the word ``has'' and add, in its place,
the word ``have'';
0
b. In paragraph (g)(1), remove the text ``License, merchant mariner
document (MMD), or MMC'' and add, in its place, the text ``merchant
mariner credential (MMC)'';
0
c. In paragraph (g)(2) remove the words ``license, certificate of
registry,'' wherever it appears, and add, in their place, the text
``MMC''; and
0
d. In paragraphs (h)(1), (i), and (k) remove the word ``present''
wherever it appears and add, in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 11.211 [Amended]

0
29. Amend Sec. 11.211(c)(1) as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``or license'' wherever they appear; and
0
b. Remove the words ``licenses or''.

Sec. 11.217 [Amended]

0
30. Amend Sec. 11.217(a) by removing the word ``presents'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provides''.

Sec. 11.301 [Amended]

0
31. Amend Sec. 11.301(g) by removing the words ``of the license''.

Sec. 11.337 [Amended]

0
32. Amend Sec. 11.337(a) by removing the word ``present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 11.401 [Amended]

0
33. Amend Sec. 11.401 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``License or'' wherever they appear; and
0
b. in paragraph (d), remove the word ``present'' and add, in its place,
the word ``provide''.

Sec. 11.402 [Amended]

0
34. Amend Sec. 11.402 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c)(2), remove the words ``License or''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c)(3):
0
i. Remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in their place, the text
``an MMC''; and
0
ii. Remove the words ``Mate's License or'' and add, in their place, the
word ``Mate's''.

Sec. 11.404 [Amended]

0
35. Amend Sec. 11.404 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(2), remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``or License''.

Sec. 11.405 [Amended]

0
36. Amend Sec. 11.405(a) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.406 [Amended]

0
37. Amend Sec. 11.406 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and

[[Page 102335]]

0
b. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``or License''.

Sec. 11.407 [Amended]

0
38. Amend Sec. 11.407 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``a license or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the words ``or License''.

Sec. 11.412 [Amended]

0
39. Amend Sec. 11.412 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.414 [Amended]

0
40. Amend Sec. 11.414(a)(1)(iii) by removing the words ``a License
or'' and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.418 [Amended]

0
41. Amend Sec. 11.418 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.420 [Amended]

0
42. Amend Sec. 11.420(a) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.422 [Amended]

0
43. Amend Sec. 11.422 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b)(4), remove the words ``License or''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``or License''.

Sec. 11.424 [Amended]

0
44. Amend Sec. 11.424 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.425 [Amended]

0
45. Amend Sec. 11.425 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the word ``presentation'' and add, in its
place, the words ``providing evidence''.

Sec. 11.426 [Amended]

0
46. Amend Sec. 11.426(a)(1) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.427 [Amended]

0
47. Amend Sec. 11.427 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the word ``presentation'' and add, in its
place, the word ``providing evidence''.

Sec. 11.428 [Amended]

0
48. Amend Sec. 11.428(b) by removing the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.429 [Amended]

0
49. Amend Sec. 11.429(c) by removing the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.433 [Amended]

0
50. Amend Sec. 11.433(a) by removing the words ``a License or''
wherever they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.435 [Amended]

0
51. Amend Sec. 11.435 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.437 [Amended]

0
52. In Sec. 11.437(a)(3):
0
a. Remove the words ``holding a License or'' and add, in their place,
the words ``holding an''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``this License'' and add, in their place, the words
``this MMC endorsement''.

Sec. 11.442 [Amended]

0
53. Amend Sec. 11.442(a) by removing the words ``a License or''
wherever they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.444 [Amended]

0
54. Amend Sec. 11.444(a)(2) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.446 [Amended]

0
55. Amend Sec. 11.446 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.450 [Amended]

0
56. Amend Sec. 11.450 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``Licenses or''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the word ``License'' and add, in its place,
the word ``endorsement''.

Sec. 11.452 [Amended]

0
57. Amend Sec. 11.452 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a):
0
i. Remove the words ``or License ''; and
0
ii. Remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in their place, the word
``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.454 [Amended]

0
58. Amend Sec. 11.454 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), remove the word ``presentation'' and add, in its
place, the words ``providing evidence''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.457 [Amended]

0
59. Amend Sec. 11.457 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the word ``present'' and add, in its place,
the word ``provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.462 [Amended]

0
60. Amend Sec. 11.462 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.464 [Amended]

0
61. Amend Sec. 11.464 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.465 [Amended]

0
62. Amend Sec. 11.465 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.466 [Amended]

0
63. Amend Sec. 11.466(b) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.470 [Amended]

0
64. Amend Sec. 11.470 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``Present'' wherever it appears and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide'';
0
b. In paragraph (d)(2)(i), remove the words ``a License or'' and add,
in their place, the word ``an'';
0
c. In paragraphs (e), (g), and (i), remove the words ``License or'';
and
0
d. In paragraph (j)(2)(i), remove the words ``a License or'' and add,
in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.472 [Amended]

0
65. Amend Sec. 11.472 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``Present'' wherever it appears and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``license or''.

Sec. 11.474 [Amended]

0
66. Amend Sec. 11.474 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``Present'' wherever it appears and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(1)(i), remove the words ``a License or'' and add,
in their place, the word ``an''; and
0
c. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``License or''.

[[Page 102336]]

Sec. 11.480 [Amended]

0
67. In Sec. 11.480(d), remove the word ``present'' and add, in its
place, the word ``provide''; and remove the text ``fax,''.

Sec. 11.482 [Amended]

0
68. Amend Sec. 11.482 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``License or'' wherever they appear; and
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in
their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.491 [Amended]

0
69. Amend Sec. 11.491(a) by removing the words ``License or''.

Sec. 11.501 [Amended]

0
70. Amend Sec. 11.501 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``Licenses or''; and
0
b. In paragraphs (d) and (e), remove the words ``License or'' wherever
they appear.

Sec. 11.502 [Amended]

0
71. Amend Sec. 11.502(b) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.503 [Amended]

0
72. Amend Sec. 11.503 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear, and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. In paragraph (c)(2), remove the words ``licensed or''.

Sec. 11.510 [Amended]

0
73. Amend Sec. 11.510(a)(2) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.512 [Amended]

0
74. Amend Sec. 11.512(a)(1) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.514 [Amended]

0
75. Amend Sec. 11.514(a) by removing the words ``a License or''
wherever they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.542 [Amended]

0
76. Amend Sec. 11.542 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``Present'' wherever it appears, and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``presentation of'' and add, in
their place, the word ``providing''.

Sec. 11.544 [Amended]

0
77. Amend Sec. 11.544 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``Present'' wherever it appears, and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``presentation of the'' and add,
in their place, the word ``providing''.

Sec. 11.603 [Amended]

0
78. Amend Sec. 11.603 by removing the words ``License must present''
and adding, in their place, the text ``an MMC must provide evidence
of''.

Sec. 11.604 [Amended]

0
79. Amend Sec. 11.604 by removing the word ``present'' and adding, in
its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 11.701 [Amended]

0
80. Amend Sec. 11.701(d) by removing the words ``A License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``An''.

Sec. 11.703 [Amended]

0
81. Amend Sec. 11.703(d) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.705 [Amended]

0
82. Amend Sec. 11.705(c) by removing the words ``License or'' wherever
they appear.

Sec. 11.707 [Amended]

0
83. Amend Sec. 11.707(b) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 11.713 [Amended]

0
84. Amend Sec. 11.713 by removing the words ``License or'' wherever
they appear.

Sec. 11.805 [Amended]

0
85. Amend Sec. 11.805 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the word ``present'', and add, in its
place, the word ``provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the word ``is'' and add, in their place,
the word ``are''.

Sec. 11.807 [Amended]

0
86. Amend Sec. 11.807(d) by removing the word ``presents'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provides''.

Sec. 11.821 [Amended]

0
87. Amend Sec. 11.821(b)(2) by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 11.903 [Amended]

0
88. Amend Sec. 11.903(c)(1) by removing the words ``a License'' and
adding, in their place, the words ``an endorsement''.

Sec. 11.920 [Amended]

0
89. In Sec. 11.920, amend the heading to Table 2 by removing the word
``Licenses'' and add, in its place, the word ``Endorsements''.

PART 12--REQUIREMENTS FOR RATING ENDORSEMENTS

0
90. The authority citation for part 12 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 2110, 7301,
7302, 7503, 7505, 7701, and 70105; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1,
Revision No. 01.4.

Sec. 12.201 [Amended]

0
91. Amend Sec. 12.201(a)(2) by removing the words ``his or her'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``their''.

Sec. 12.401 [Amended]

0
92. Amend Sec. 12.401(c)(3) by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.405 [Amended]

0
93. Amend Sec. 12.405(a) by removing the words ``he or she'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``they''.

Sec. 12.407 [Amended]

0
94. Amend Sec. 12.407(b)(1)(iii), by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.409 [Amended]

0
95. Amend Sec. 12.409(b)(1)(iii), by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.501 [Amended]

0
96. Amend Sec. 12.501(c)(3), by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.625 [Amended]

0
97. Amend Sec. 12.625(a)(1) by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.627 [Amended]

0
98. Amend Sec. 12.627(a)(1) by removing the word ``Present'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 12.707 [Amended]

0
99. Amend Sec. 12.707 by removing the word ``present'' and adding, in
its place, the word ``provides''.

Sec. 12.709 [Amended]

0
100. Amend Sec. 12.709(a) by removing the word ``present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provides''.

Sec. 12.711 [Amended]

0
101. Amend Sec. 12.711(a) by removing the word ``presents'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``provides''.

[[Page 102337]]

Sec. 12.809 [Amended]

0
102. Amend Sec. 12.809(b) by removing the word ``present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provide''.

PART 13--CERTIFICATION OF TANKERMEN

0
103. The authority citation for part 13 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3703, 7317, 8105, 8703, 9102; DHS
Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

Sec. 13.107 [Amended]

0
104. Amend Sec. 13.107 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the words ``engineer License or engineer''
and add, in their place, the words ``engineer officer''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the words ``licensed or''.

Sec. 13.111 [Amended]

0
105. Amend Sec. 13.111 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (d)(3), remove the word ``Present'' and add, in its
place, the word ``Provide''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d)(4):
0
i. Remove the words ``Present evidence in the form of a letter'' and
add, in their place, the words ``Provide evidence in a method
prescribed by the Coast Guard''; and
0
ii. Remove the words ``on company letterhead''.

Sec. 13.120 [Amended]

0
106. Amend Sec. 13.120 by removing the word ``present'' wherever it
appears and adding, in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 13.201 [Amended]

0
107. Amend Sec. 13.201(c) introductory text, by removing the word
``Present'' and adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.;

Sec. 13.203 [Amended]

0
108. Amend Sec. 13.203 by removing the word ``present'' wherever it
appears, and adding, in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 13.205 [Amended]

0
109. Amend Sec. 13.205 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``Proof of service must be provided in a letter on
company letterhead'' and add, in their place, the words ``Provide
evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of
service''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``The letter'' and add, in their place, the words
``The evidence''.

Sec. 13.301 [Amended]

0
110. Amend Sec. 13.301(c) by removing the word ``Present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 13.303 [Amended]

0
111. Amend Sec. 13.303(a) by removing the word ``present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 13.305 [Amended]

0
112. Amend Sec. 13.305 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``Proof of service must be provided in a letter on
company letterhead'' and add, in their place, the words ``Provide
evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of
service''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``The letter'' and add, in their place, the words
``The evidence''.

Sec. 13.401 [Amended]

0
113. Amend Sec. 13.401 by removing the word ``Present'' wherever it
appears, and adding, in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 13.405 [Amended]

0
114. Amend Sec. 13.405(a) as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``A letter on company letterhead'' and add, in
their place, the words ``Evidence in a method prescribed by the Coast
Guard''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``The letter'' and add, in their place, the words
``The evidence''.

Sec. 13.501 [Amended]

0
115. Amend Sec. 13.501(c) by removing the word ``Present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``Provide''.

Sec. 13.503 [Amended]

0
116. Amend Sec. 13.503(a) by removing the word ``present'' and adding,
in its place, the word ``provide''.

Sec. 13.505 [Amended]

0
117. Amend Sec. 13.505(a) as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``Service must be proved by a letter on company
letterhead'' and add, in their place, the words ``Provide evidence in a
method prescribed by the Coast Guard of proof of service''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``The letter'' and add, in their place, the words
``The evidence''.

PART 14--SHIPMENT AND DISCHARGE OF MERCHANT MARINERS

0
118. The authority citation for part 14 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 46 U.S.C. Chapters 103 and 104; 46
U.S.C. 70105.

0
119. In part 14, revise all references to ``his or her'' to read
``their''.

Sec. 14.103 [Amended]

0
120. In Sec. 14.103(c), remove the text ``<a href="http://www.uscg.mil/nmc">http://www.uscg.mil/nmc</a>''
and add, in its place, the text ``<a href="https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/">https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center/</a>''.

Sec. 14.205 [Amended]

0
121. Amend Sec. 14.205 as follows:
0
a. Remove the word ``present'' and add, in its place, the word
``provide''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``every document, certificate, credential, or
license'' and add, in their place, the words ``a merchant mariner
credential with endorsements''.

Sec. 14.207 [Amended]

0
122. In Sec. 14.207(a)(1), remove the text ``license, MMD or''.

0
123. Revise Sec. 14.307 to read as follows:

Sec. 14.307 Entries on certificate of discharge.

(a) Each master or individual in charge of a vessel must, for each
merchant mariner being discharged from the vessel, prepare a
certificate of discharge in accordance with the procedure prescribed by
the Coast Guard. The prescribed format may include the current form CG-
718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard. If not using the Coast
Guard prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same
information included on the certificate of discharge.
(b) Each mariner being discharged must validate the information on
the certificate of discharge by signing it.
(c) When the mariner leaves the vessel, the master or individual in
charge must give the certificate of discharge to the mariner.

Sec. 14.403 [Amended]

0
124. Amend Sec. 14.403(a)(2) by removing the word ``presented'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``provided''.

Sec. 14.405 [Amended]

0
125. Amend Sec. 14.405 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (c), before the words ``will forward the request'', add
the text ``OCMI''; and
0
b. In paragraph (d), remove the words ``the Coast Guard. The Coast
Guard will'' and add, in their place, the text ``the Coast Guard OCMI
in whose zone the vessel is located. The Coast Guard OCMI will''.

Sec. 14.407 [Amended]

0
126. In Sec. 14.407(a), remove the words ``to the address provided''
and add, in their place, the words ``in a manner specified''.

[[Page 102338]]

PART 15--MANNING REQUIREMENTS

0
127. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2101, 2103, 3306, 3703, 8101, 8102, 8103,
8104, 8105, 8301, 8304, 8502, 8503, 8701, 8702, 8901, 8902, 8903,
8904, 8905(b), 8906 and 9102; sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat.
2905; and DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

Sec. 15.105 [Amended]

0
128. Amend Sec. 15.105 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b), remove the words ``Licenses and''; and
0
b. In paragraph (h), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 15.410 [Amended]

0
129. Amend Sec. 15.410 by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 15.515 [Amended]

0
130. In Sec. 15.515, remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 15.520 [Amended]

0
131. Amend Sec. 15.520 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear, and add, in
their place, the word ``an'';
0
b. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``A License or'' wherever it
appears, and add, in their place, the word ``An'';
0
c. In paragraph (d), remove the text ``a License as Master endorsed as
OIM, or'';
0
d. In paragraph (e), remove the text ``a License as Master endorsed as
OIM or''; and
0
e. In paragraph (g), remove the words ``License, or an''.

Sec. 15.605 [Amended]

0
132. Amend Sec. 15.605 by removing the words ``a License or'' wherever
they appear and adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 15.610 [Amended]

0
133. Amend Sec. 15.610(b) as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' and add, in their place, the word
``an''; and
0
b. Before the text ``MMC for towing vessels'', remove the words
``License or''.

Sec. 15.701 [Amended]

0
134. Amend Sec. 15.701(b) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 15.730 [Amended]

0
135. In Sec. 15.730(d), remove the word ``presented'' and add, in its
place, the word ``provided''.

Sec. 15.805 [Amended]

0
136. Amend Sec. 15.805 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear, and add, in
their place, the word ``an'';
0
b. In paragraph (a), remove the words ``License as or a''; and
0
c. In paragraph (b), remove the word ``is'' and add, in their place,
the word ``are''.

Sec. 15.810 [Amended]

0
137. Amend Sec. 15.810 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an'';
0
b. In paragraphs (c) and (d)(2), remove the words ``License or''; and
0
c. In paragraph (d)(2)(ii), remove the words ``A License or'' and add,
in their place, the word ``An''.138. Amend Sec. 15.812 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (b) and (c), table 1 to Sec. 15.812(e)(1), and
table 2 to Sec. 15.812(e)(2);
0
b. In paragraph (f), remove the words ``valid License or'' wherever
they appear and add, in their place, the word ``or''; and
0
c. In paragraph (f)(1)(i), remove the words ``a License or'' and add,
in their place, the word ``an''.
The revisions read as follows:

Sec. 15.812 Pilots.

* * * * *
(b) The following individuals may serve as a Pilot on a vessel
subject to paragraph (a) of this section, when underway on the
navigable waters of the United States that are designated areas:
(1) An individual holding a valid MMC officer endorsement as First-
Class Pilot, operating within the restrictions of their credential, may
serve as Pilot on any vessel to which this section applies.
(2) An individual holding a valid MMC officer endorsement as Master
or Mate, employed aboard a vessel within the restrictions of their
credential, may serve as Pilot on a vessel of not more than 1,600 GRT
propelled by machinery, described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) of this
section, provided they--
(i) Are at least 21 years old;
(ii) Are able to show current knowledge of the waters to be
navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter; and
(iii) Provide evidence of completing a minimum of four roundtrips
over the route to be traversed while in the wheelhouse as watchstander
or observer. At least one of the roundtrips must be made during the
hours of darkness if the route is to be traversed during darkness.
(3) An individual holding a valid MMC officer endorsement as
Master, Mate, or operator employed aboard a vessel within the
restrictions of their credential, may serve as Pilot on a tank barge or
tank barges totaling not more than 10,000 GRT/GT, described in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) of this section, provided they -
(i) Are at least 21 years old;
(ii) Are able to show current knowledge of the waters to be
navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter;
(iii) Have a current physical examination in accordance with the
provisions of Sec. 11.709 of this subchapter;
(iv) Have at least 6 months of service in the deck department on
towing vessels engaged in towing operations; and
(v) Provide evidence of completing a minimum of 12 roundtrips over
the route to be traversed, as an observer or under instruction in the
wheelhouse. At least three of the roundtrips must be made during the
hours of darkness if the route is to be traversed during darkness.
(c) An individual holding a valid MMC officer endorsement as
Master, Mate, or operator, employed aboard a vessel within the
restrictions of their credential, may serve as a Pilot for a vessel
subject to paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, when underway on
the navigable waters of the United States that are not designated areas
of pilotage waters, provided they--
(1) Are at least 21 years old;
(2) Are able to show current knowledge of the waters to be
navigated, as required in Sec. 11.713 of this subchapter; and
(3) Have a current physical examination in accordance with the
provisions of Sec. 11.709 of this subchapter.
* * * * *

[[Page 102339]]

Table 1 to Sec. 15.812(e)(1)--Quick Reference Table for Federal
Pilotage Requirements for U.S.-Inspected, Self-Propelled Vessels, Not
Sailing on Register
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designated areas
of pilotage waters Non-designated
(routes for which areas of pilotage
First-Class waters (between
Pilot's MMC the 3-mile line
officer and the start of
endorsements are traditional
issued) pilotage routes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspected self-propelled vessels First-Class Pilot. Master or Mate may
greater than 1,600 GRT, serve as Pilot if
authorized by their COI to they--
proceed beyond the Boundary 1. Are at least 21
Line, or operating on the Great years old;
Lakes. 2. Have an annual
physical exam;
and
3. Maintain
current knowledge
of the waters to
be navigated.\1\
Inspected self-propelled vessels First-Class Pilot, Master or Mate may
not more than 1,600 GRT, or Master or Mate serve as Pilot if
authorized by their COI to may serve as they--
proceed beyond the Boundary Pilot if they-- 1. Are at least 21
Line, or operating on the Great 1. Are at least 21 years old; and
Lakes. years old;. 2. Maintain
2. Maintains current knowledge
current knowledge of the waters to
of the waters to be navigated.\1\
be navigated; and
\1\.
3. Have four
roundtrips over
the route.\2\.
Inspected self-propelled vessels First-Class Pilot. Master or Mate may
greater than 1,600 GRT, not serve as Pilot if
authorized by their COI to they--
proceed beyond the Boundary 1. Are at least 21
Line (inland route vessels); years old;
other than vessels operating on 2. Have an annual
the Great Lakes. physical exam;
and
3. Maintain
current knowledge
of the waters to
be navigated.\1\
Inspected self-propelled vessels No pilotage No pilotage
not more than 1,600 GRT, not requirement. requirement.
authorized by their COI to
proceed beyond the Boundary
Line (inland route vessels);
other than vessels operating on
the Great Lakes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ One roundtrip within the past 60 months.
\2\ If the route is to be traversed during darkness, one of the four
roundtrips must be made during darkness.

* * * * *

Table 2 to Sec. 15.812(e)(2)--Quick Reference Table for Federal
Pilotage Requirements for U.S.-Inspected Tank Barges, Not Sailing on
Register
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Designated areas
of pilotage waters Non-designated
(routes for which areas of pilotage
First-Class waters (between
Pilot's MMC the 3-mile line
officer and the start of
endorsements are traditional
issued) pilotage routes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tank Barges greater than 10,000 First-Class Pilot. Master, Mate, or
GRT/GT, authorized by their COI Master, Mate
to proceed beyond the Boundary (Pilot) of towing
Line, or operating on the Great vessels may serve
Lakes. as Pilot if they:
1. Are at least 21
years old;
2. Have an annual
physical exam;
\2\
3. Maintain
current knowledge
of the waters to
be navigated; \1\
and
4. Have at least 6
months' service
in the deck
department on
towing vessels
engaged in towing
operations.
Tank Barges 10,000 GRT/GT or First-Class Pilot,
less, authorized by their COI or Master, Mate,
to proceed beyond the Boundary or Master, Mate
Line, or operating on the Great (Pilot) of towing
Lakes. vessels may serve
as Pilot if they:
1. Are at least 21
years old;.
2. Have an annual
physical exam;
\2\.
3. Maintain
current knowledge
of the waters to
be navigated; \1\
4. Have at least 6
months' service
in the deck
department on
towing vessels
engaged in towing
operations; and
5. Have 12
roundtrips over
the route.\3\
Tank Barges authorized by their No pilotage No pilotage
COI for inland routes only requirement. requirement.
(lakes, bays, and sounds/
rivers); other than vessels
operating on the Great Lakes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ One roundtrip within the past 60 months.
\2\ Annual physical exam does not apply to an individual who will serve
as a Pilot of a tank barge of less than 1,600 GRT.
\3\ If the route is to be traversed during darkness, three of the 12
roundtrips must be made during darkness.

[[Page 102340]]

* * * * *

Sec. 15.815 [Amended]

0
139. Amend Sec. 15.815(c) by removing the words ``a License or'' and
adding, in their place, the word ``an''.

Sec. 15.820 [Amended]

0
140. Amend Sec. 15.820 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the words ``or license'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(3), remove the words ``a License or''; and
0
c. In paragraph (c), remove the words ``License or''.

Sec. 15.825 [Amended]

0
141. Amend Sec. 15.825(a) by removing the words ``License or''.

Sec. 15.901 [Amended]

0
142. Amend Sec. 15.901 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``individual's License or'' wherever they appear
and add, in their place, the word ``individual's''.

Sec. 15.905 [Amended]

0
143. Amend Sec. 15.905 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``a License or'' wherever they appear and add, in
their place, the word ``an''; and
0
b. Remove the words ``individual's License or'' wherever they appear,
and add, in their place, the word ``individual's''.

Sec. 15.915 [Amended]

0
144. Amend Sec. 15.915 as follows:
0
a. Remove the words ``Licenses and'' wherever they appear; and
0
b. Remove the words ``License or'' wherever they appear.

Sec. 15.1001 [Amended]

0
145. In Sec. 15.1001, remove the words ``or License with'' and add, in
their place, the words ``with an''.

PART 16--CHEMICAL TESTING

0
146. The authority citation for part 16 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 7101, 7301, and 7701; DHS
Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

0
147. Amend Sec. 16.105 by revising the definition of Credential to
read as follows:

Sec. 16.105 Definitions of terms used in this part.

* * * * *
Credential is the same as defined in 46 CFR 10.107.
* * * * *

0
148. Amend Sec. 16.220 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the text ``a License, Certificate of
Registry (COR), MMD, or'' and add, in its place, the word ``an'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(3), remove the text ``a License or COR'' and add,
in its place, the text ``an MMC''; and
0
c. In paragraph (a)(5), revise the second sentence.

Sec. 16.220 Periodic testing requirements.

(a) * * *
(5) * * * Results of the test must be provided to the Coast Guard
in a manner prescribed by the Coast Guard.* * *
* * * * *

Sec. 16.230 [Amended]

0
149. Amend Sec. 16.230(b)(1) by removing the word ``License'' and
adding, in its place, the word ``credential''.

Sec. 16.500 [Amended]

0
150. Amend Sec. 16.500 by removing the period after the text ``2703
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE''.

Dated: November 6, 2024.
W.R. Arguin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-27026 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

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