[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77917-77919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30381]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 80, 87 and 95

[DA 14-1286]


Update Mailing Addresses Pertaining to Satellite Emergency 
Radiobeacons

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
revises certain mailing addresses pertaining to satellite emergency 
radiobeacons which are used to facilitate search and rescue of persons 
in distress. We update the rules to include the correct mailing 
addresses for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric 
Administration's (NOAA) National Beacon Registration Database, the 
Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), the Radio 
Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), and the United States 
Coast Guard (Coast Guard). This Order updates the mailing addresses 
provided in our rules for NOAA, RTCM, RTCA and the Coast Guard.

DATES: Effective December 29, 2014. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule was previously approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Shaffer, Mobility Division, 
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-0687.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order 
(``Order'') in DA 14-1286 adopted on September 5, 2014, and released on 
September 5, 2014. The full text of this document is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. The 
complete text may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554. The full text may also be downloaded at: 
www.fcc.gov. Alternative formats are available to persons with 
disabilities by sending an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d6b0b5b5e3e6e296b0b5b5f8b1b9a0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="60060303555054200603034e070f16">[email protected]</span></a> or by calling the 
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (tty).
    In this Order, the FCC revised 47 CFR 80.7, 80.1061, 87.199 and 
95.1402 to update NOAA's address for its National Beacon Registration 
Database used by beacon owners to register emergency information used 
during emergencies. We also update RTCM and RTCA addresses used for 
obtaining technical standards for beacons that part 80 and 87 
incorporate by reference. Finally, we update the rules to reflect Coast 
Guard's new mailing and Internet addresses used for submitting findings 
by a test facility accepted by the Coast Guard for assuring beacons 
meet the relevant RTCM technical standard. Updating these mailing 
addresses will reduce confusion and delay in registering emergency 
information with NOAA, assure NOAA receives important information from 
beacon users, reduce confusion and delay in obtaining copies of needed 
technical standards and reduce confusion and delay in filing test 
results with the Coast Guard.

Procedural Matters

    1. The Bureau adopts this Order pursuant to its delegated authority 
to

[[Page 77918]]

``conduct[ ] rulemaking . . . proceedings'' in matters pertaining to 
the licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications ``involving 
ministerial conforming amendments to rule parts.''
    2. The revisions adopted in this Order and set forth in the 
attached Appendix merely correct the addresses provided in our rules 
for NOAA and RTCM. These revisions are thus ministerial, non-
substantive, and editorial. Accordingly, we find good cause to conclude 
that notice and comment procedures are unnecessary and would not serve 
any useful purpose. Because the rule revisions will not affect the 
substantive rights or interests of any licensee, we also find good 
cause to make these non-substantive, editorial revisions of the rules 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
    3. Because this Order is being adopted without the publication of a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq., does not require the Commission to prepare a regulatory 
flexibility analysis.
    4. This document does not contain new or modified information 
collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new 
or modified information collection burden for small business concerns 
with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork 
Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 80, 87 and 95

    Communications equipment, radio, Incorporation by reference.

Federal Communications Commission.
Roger Sherman,
Bureau Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR parts 80, 87 and 95 as follows:

PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 80 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 4, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, 48 Stat. 1066, 
1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309, and 332, unless 
otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, 
as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST 3450, 3 UST 4726, 12 
UST 2377.


0
2. Section 80.7 is amended by revising paragraph (f) introductory text 
to read as follows:


Sec.  80.7  Incorporation by reference.

* * * * *
    (f) The Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), 
1611 N. Kent Street, Suite 605, Arlington, VA 22209; www.rtcm.org; 
telephone (703) 527-2000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b12151d1409161a0f1214153b090f18165514091c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="127b7c747d607f73667b7d7c526066717f3c7d6075">[email protected]</span></a>.
* * * * *

0
3. Section 80.1061 is amended by revising paragraphs (c) introductory 
text, (c)(1), (e), and (f) to read as follows:


Sec.  80.1061  Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB stations.

* * * * *
    (c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a 406.0-
406.1 MHz radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test 
facility recognized by one of the COSPAS-SARSAT Partners that the 
equipment satisfies the design characteristics associated with the 
measurement methods described in COSPAS-SARSAT Standard C/S T.001 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  80.7), and COSPAS-SARSAT Standard 
C/S T.007 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  80.7). Additionally, 
the radiobeacon must be subjected to the environmental and operational 
tests associated with the test procedures described in Appendix A of 
RTCM Standard 11000.2 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  80.7), by a 
test facility accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for this purpose. 
Information regarding accepted test facilities may be obtained from 
Commandant (CG-5214), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd St. SW., Stop 7126, 
Washington, DC 20593-7126, http://www.uscg.mil.hq/cg5/cg5214/epirbs.asp.
    (1) After a 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the 
recognized test facilities the following information must be submitted 
in duplicate to the Commandant (CG-5214), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd 
Street SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593-7126:
* * * * *
    (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager 
for the 406.0-406.1 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be 
programmed in each EPIRB unit to establish a unique identification for 
each EPIRB station. With each marketable EPIRB unit, the manufacturer 
or grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed 
with the EPIRB identification code addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon 
Registration, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 
20910-9684. The registration card must request the owner's name, 
address, telephone number, type of ship, alternate emergency contact 
and other information as required by NOAA. The registration card must 
also contain information regarding the availability to register the 
EPIRB at NOAA's online web-based registration database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. In addition, the following statement 
must be included: ``WARNING--failure to register this EPIRB with NOAA 
before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued 
to the owner.''
    (f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that 
each 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation 
and that information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the 
identification plate or label requirements contained in Sec. Sec.  
2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB must be 
provided on the outside with a clearly discernible permanent plate or 
label containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.0-
406.1 MHz EPIRB must register the NOAA identification code contained on 
this label with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA) whose address is: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, NSOF, E/
SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910-9684.'' Vessel 
owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of vessel or EPIRB 
ownership, transfer of EPIRB to another vessel, or any other change in 
registration information. NOAA will provide registrants with proof of 
registration and change of registration postcards.
* * * * *

PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES

0
4. The authority citation for part 87 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 and 307(e), unless otherwise 
noted.


0
5. Section 87.199 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (e), and (f) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  87.199  Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs.

    (a) 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs use G1D emission. Except for the spurious 
emission limits specified in Sec.  87.139(h), 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs must 
meet all the technical and performance standards contained in the Radio 
Technical Commission for Aeronautics document titled ``Minimum 
Operational Performance Standards 406 MHz Emergency Locator 
Transmitters (ELT)'' Document No. RTCA/DO-204 dated September 29, 1989. 
The Director of the Federal Register approves this

[[Page 77919]]

incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 
(Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Copies 
of the RTCA standards also may be obtained from the Radio Technical 
Commission for Aeronautics, Inc., 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910, 
Washington, DC 20036.
* * * * *
    (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager 
for the 406.0-406.1 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be 
programmed in each ELT unit to establish a unique identification for 
each ELT station. With each marketable ELT unit the manufacturer or 
grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with 
the ELT identification code addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon 
Registration, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 
20910-9684. The registration card must request the owner's name, 
address, telephone, type of aircraft, alternate emergency contact, and 
other information as required by NOAA. The registration card must also 
contain information regarding the availability to register the ELT at 
NOAA's online Web-based registration database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. Further, the following statement must 
be included: ``WARNING--failure to register this ELT with NOAA before 
installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued to the 
owner.''
    (f) To enhance protection of life and property, it is mandatory 
that each 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT must be registered with NOAA before 
installation and that information be kept up-to-date. In addition to 
the identification plate or label requirements contained in Sec. Sec.  
2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT must be 
provided on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or 
label containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.0-
406.1 MHz ELT must register the NOAA identification code contained on 
this label with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), whose address is: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, NSOF, E/
SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910-9684.'' Aircraft 
owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of aircraft or ELT 
ownership, or any other change in registration information. Fleet 
operators must notify NOAA upon transfer of ELT to another aircraft 
outside of the owner's control, or any other change in registration 
information. NOAA will provide registrants with proof of registration 
and change of registration postcards.
* * * * *

PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES

0
6. The authority citation for part 95 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 
U.S.C. 154, 303.


0
7. Section 95.1402 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (e), and (f) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  95.1402  Special requirements for 406 MHz PLBs.

    (a) All 406 MHz PLBs must meet all the technical and performance 
standards contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime 
(RTCM) Service document ``RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz 
Satellite Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs),'' Version 1.1, RTCM Paper 
76-2002/SC110-STD, dated June 19, 2002. This RTCM document is 
incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies of the document are available and may be obtained from 
the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, 1611 N. Kent 
Street, Suite 605, Arlington, VA 22209; www.rtcm.org; telephone (703) 
527-2000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#533a3d353c213e32273a3c3d132127303e7d3c2134"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="026b6c646d706f63766b6d6c427076616f2c6d7065">[email protected]</span></a>. The document is available for 
inspection at Commission headquarters at 445 12th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20554. Copies may also be inspected at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
* * * * *
    (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager 
for the 406 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed in 
each PLB unit to establish a unique identification for each PLB 
station. With each marketable PLB unit, the manufacturer or grantee 
must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with the PLB 
identification code addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, 
NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910-9684. The 
registration card must request the owner's name, address, telephone 
number, alternate emergency contact and include the following 
statement: ``WARNING--failure to register this PLB with NOAA could 
result in a monetary forfeiture order being issued to the owner.''
    (f) To enhance protection of life and property, it is mandatory 
that each 406 MHz PLB be registered with NOAA and that information be 
kept up-to-date. In addition to the identification plate or label 
requirements contained in Sec. Sec.  2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, 
each 406 MHz PLB must be provided on the outside with a clearly 
discernable permanent plate or label containing the following 
statement: ``The owner of this 406 MHz PLB must register the NOAA 
identification code contained on this label with the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose address is: NOAA/SARSAT 
Beacon Registration, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910-9684.'' Owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of PLB 
ownership, or any other change in registration information. NOAA will 
provide registrants with proof of registration and change of 
registration postcards.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2014-30381 Filed 12-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P


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