[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28911-28912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13878]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

46 CFR Part 360

[Docket No. MARAD-1998-3865]
RIN 2133--AB34 (FINAL)


Transfer of Marine Equipment to Ship Operators and Shipyards; 
Removal of Obsolete Regulations

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is removing as obsolete 
its regulations relating to the transfer of marine equipment to ship 
operators and shipyards.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 27, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene Magee, Chief, Division of 
Reserve Fleet, Maritime Administration, 400 Seventh St, S.W., Room 
2112, Tel. (202) 366-5752.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 46 CFR part 360 prescribes regulations for 
the transfer by MARAD of marine equipment on board vessels in the 
National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) to operators of U.S.-flag 
merchant ships and to shipyards for the construction or repair of U.S.-
flag merchant ships, on the basis of replacement at the earliest 
possible date.
    The provisions contained in 46 CFR part 360 have been in effect 
over 25 years, and MARAD has found that such marine equipment on board 
NDRF vessels, which average 42 years in age, is now commercially 
obsolete and cannot be used by current U.S.-flag merchant ships. 
However, such equipment may be needed to support inactive ships in 
MARAD's Ready Reserve Force Fleet or other retention ships in the NDRF 
and therefore should be retained.
    Accordingly, the subject transfer regulation serves no useful 
purpose, and MARAD is hereby removing 46 CFR Part 360 as obsolete in 
this final rule.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)

    This rulemaking is not considered to be an economically significant 
regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Also, it 
is not a major rule under Pub. L. 104-121, 5 U.S.C. 804, or a 
significant rule under the Department's Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures. Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget.
    MARAD has determined that this rulemaking presents no substantive 
issue which it could reasonably expect to produce meaningful public 
comment since it is merely removing obsolete regulations. Accordingly, 
MARAD has determined that the notice and public comment procedure 
otherwise required by the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 
553(c), is unnecessary and good cause exists, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3), to make the changes effective upon publication.

Federalism

    The Maritime Administration has analyzed this rulemaking in 
accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive 
Order 12612, and it has been determined that these regulations do not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Maritime Administration certifies that this rulemaking will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. 46 CFR Part 360 is being removed as obsolete, as it currently 
serves no useful purpose.

Environmental Assessment

    The Maritime Administration has considered the environmental impact 
on this rulemaking and has concluded that an environmental impact 
statement is not required under the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rulemaking contains no reporting requirement that is subject 
to OMB approval under 5 CFR Part 320,

[[Page 28912]]

pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.).

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 360

    Government property, Maritime carriers.

PART 360--[REMOVED]

    Accordingly, under the authority of 46 App. U.S.C. 1114(b), 46 CFR 
part 360 is hereby removed in its entirety.

    Dated: May 20, 1998.
    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-13878 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]
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