Document ID: USCG-2011-0357-0014
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act; Implementation (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2015-01-16T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2350-2370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00464]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 70

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0357]
RIN 1625-AB91

Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010; Implementation

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes amending its passenger vessel 
regulations to implement the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 
2010 with respect to deck rails, systems for detecting or recording 
falls overboard and for recording evidence of possible crimes, hailing 
devices, security guides, sexual assault response, and crime scene 
preservation training. The proposed regulations promote the Coast 
Guard's maritime safety and security missions.

DATES: Comments and related material must either be submitted to our 
online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before April 16, 
2015 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date. Comments 
sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on collection of 
information must reach OMB on or before April 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2011-0357 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.
    Collection of Information Comments: If you have comments on the 
collection of information discussed in section VI.D of this NPRM, you 
must also send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget. To ensure that your 
comments to OIRA are received on time, the preferred methods are by 
email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov (include the docket number and 
``Attention: Desk Officer for Coast Guard, DHS'' in the subject line of 
the email) or fax at 202-395-6566. An alternate, though slower, method 
is by U.S. mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email LT Jason Kling, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Design 
and Engineering Standards, telephone 202-372-1361, email 
jason.m.kling@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
    A. Submitting Comments
    B. Viewing Comments and Documents
    C. Privacy Act
    D. Public Meeting
II. Abbreviations
III. Background
IV. Comments on 2011 Notice
V. Discussion of CVSSA and Proposed Rule
VI. Regulatory Analyses
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review
    B. Small Entities
    C. Assistance for Small Entities
    D. Collection of Information
    E. Federalism
    F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    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. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2011-0357), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of 
these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing 
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your 
document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your 
submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
and follow the instructions on that Web site. If you submit your 
comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no 
larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they 
reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard 
or envelope.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    Public comments and relevant documents mentioned in this notice 
will all be available in the public docket. To see the public docket, 
go to http://www.regulations.gov, and follow the instructions on that 
Web site. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the 
docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-
140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West

[[Page 2351]]

Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We 
have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the 
Docket Management Facility.

C. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

D. Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one to the docket using one of the methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. In your request, explain why you believe a public meeting 
would be beneficial. If we decide to hold a public meeting, we will 
announce its time and place in a later notice in the Federal Register.

II. Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CLIA Cruise Line International Association
CVSSA Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010
FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation
FR Federal Register
IRFA Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
MARAD Maritime Administration
MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OMB Office of Management and Budget
SBA Small Business Administration
Sec.  Section symbol
U.S.C. United States Code

III. Background

    The purpose of this proposed rule is to implement the Cruise Vessel 
Security and Safety Act of 2010 (CVSSA),\1\ which added 46 U.S.C. 3507 
(Passenger vessel security and safety requirements) and 46 U.S.C. 3508 
(Crime scene preservation training for passenger vessel crewmembers). 
The basis of this proposed rule is 46 U.S.C. 2103 (regulatory authority 
to implement 46 U.S.C. Subtitle II) and 46 U.S.C. 3507(j) (regulatory 
authority to issue regulations necessary to implement section 3507). 
The Secretary of Homeland Security's authority under these statutes is 
delegated to the Coast Guard by DHS Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II 
(92.a), (92.b).
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    \1\ Public Law 111-207, 124 Stat. 2243; July 27, 2010.
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    The CVSSA prescribes security and safety requirements for any 
passenger vessel that is authorized to carry and has onboard sleeping 
facilities for at least 250 passengers, that is not engaged in a 
coastwise voyage, and that embarks or disembarks passengers in the 
United States.\2\ It provides new requirements for vessel design, 
public access to information about crime aboard cruise ships, 
provisions for emergency medical treatment, and crime prevention and 
criminal evidence gathering.
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    \2\ 46 U.S.C. 3507(k).
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    In passing the CVSSA, Congress found that serious incidents, 
including sexual assault and the disappearance of passengers at sea, 
have occurred on cruise vessel voyages, that passengers lack adequate 
understanding of their vulnerability to crime on board cruise vessels, 
that inadequate resources are available to assist cruise vessel crime 
victims, and that detecting and investigating cruise vessel crimes is 
difficult.\3\
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    \3\ CVSSA sec. 2, codified at 46 U.S.C. 3507 note.
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    In 2011, the Coast Guard published a Federal Register notice and 
request for comments relating to the CVSSA.\4\ The notice did not 
propose a rulemaking, but asked the public to comment on the types of 
technology currently available to provide the video surveillance and 
image-capture or detection of falls overboard that the CVSSA requires. 
We discuss the comments we received on this notice in Section IV of 
this preamble.
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    \4\ ``Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, Available 
Technology,'' 76 FR 30374 (May 25, 2011).
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    Later in 2011, we issued guidance \5\ for Coast Guard inspectors in 
verifying cruise vessel compliance with CVSSA requirements, and 
guidance and a model course curriculum \6\ for complying with the 
CVSSA's requirements for training at least one cruise vessel crew 
member in crime prevention and criminal evidence gathering. We 
developed the model course in consultation with the Maritime 
Administration (MARAD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
(FBI).\7\
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    \5\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, June 28, 2011.
    \6\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-10, July 27, 2011.
    \7\ The model course is available at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg2/cgis/Docs/CVSSA_MC_110615.pdf.
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IV. Comments on 2011 Notice

    As added by the CVSSA, 46 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D) requires cruise 
vessels to ``integrate technology that can be used for capturing images 
of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the 
extent that such technology is available.'' In addition, 46 U.S.C. 
3507(b) requires cruise vessel owners to ``maintain a video 
surveillance system to assist in documenting crimes on the vessel and 
in providing evidence for the prosecution of such crimes. . . .'' Our 
2011 notice sought information on the technology currently available 
for meeting these requirements, and asked two specific sets of 
questions designed to elicit that information. We received submissions 
from nine commenters: Five security equipment providers; two crime 
victim advocacy organizations; one cruise vessel trade association; and 
one cruise passenger.
    The cruise passenger did not respond to our questions, but asked 
for regulations to control smoking on cruise vessels. That topic is not 
addressed by the CVSSA and is outside the scope of this proposed rule.
    The first substantive question set asked: ``If you work in the 
maritime community, do you use equipment to detect persons falling 
overboard? If yes, what is the equipment, and how reliable is the 
equipment? What alternative source(s) for detecting persons falling 
overboard would you recommend? How would you rate the alternative 
source(s) in terms of user cost and reliability and usefulness of the 
information?''
    The second substantive question set asked: ``Do industry best 
practices for placement and retention of video recording devices exist? 
If yes, please specify what they are and how effective they have been 
in helping law enforcement officials prosecute offenders.''
    The cruise vessel trade association answered the first question by 
saying that, while the technology exists to capture images of persons 
who have gone overboard, fall-overboard detection systems are not yet 
reliable under marine conditions. As added by the CVSSA, 46 U.S.C. 
3507(a)(1)(D) requires a vessel to integrate image capture or fall 
detection technology ``to the extent such technology is available.'' 
Given that the industry view is that fall detection technology is not 
yet reliable under marine conditions, we expect that owners and 
operators will select the image capture option provided by Congress 
until such time that fall detection technology is believed to be 
sufficiently reliable.
    The cruise vessel trade association answered the second question by 
saying that video surveillance has been used successfully for many 
years, but that ``one size does not fit all'' and that system placement 
is unique for each

[[Page 2352]]

vessel. As added by the CVSSA, 46 U.S.C. 3507(b)(1) requires each 
vessel to maintain a video surveillance system, but it does not specify 
how the system must be placed. Our proposed rule would require only 
that video surveillance be provided in areas to which passengers and 
crew members have common access (other than passenger staterooms or 
crew cabins). We would expect the vessel owner or operator to make 
whatever arrangements are necessary to ensure effective system 
placement.
    The five security equipment providers provided information about 
the capabilities of various fall detection or surveillance systems. The 
information provided for fall detection systems did not directly 
address the cruise vessel trade association's assertion that existing 
systems are unreliable under marine conditions. It was not clear from 
the equipment providers' comments that industry prefers any one system 
for specific applications under specific conditions. The approach taken 
in our proposed rule is to let each vessel owner or operator determine 
the suitability and reliability of available systems, and choose the 
system or systems best adapted to its needs and the conditions under 
which the vessel operates. With respect to falls overboard, our 
proposed rule incorporates the CVSSA's flexible approach under which 
vessel owners could choose between detection systems, image capture 
systems, or some combination of image capture and detection systems.
    One of the two crime victim advocacy organizations said video 
surveillance should ``in essence provide a safety blanket that 
envelopes the vessel,'' should cover all public areas, and should be 
monitored as well as recorded. This organization also recommended 
keeping videos for at least 90 days and longer when a serious incident 
has occurred or is alleged, and said the Coast Guard should verify 
information about a vessel's video systems annually. This organization 
also provided recommendations for the relative responsibilities of law 
enforcement and vessel personnel for reviewing video evidence. As added 
by the CVSSA, 46 U.S.C. 3507(b)(1) requires video surveillance systems 
``to assist in documenting crimes . . . and in providing evidence.'' 
The statute does not require real time monitoring, and in the event a 
crime is alleged to have taken place, video can be retrospectively 
reviewed for possible evidence of the crime. Thus, we do not propose 
requiring real time monitoring. We would require video to be kept for 
at least 14 days after a voyage, and for an additional 120 days when a 
serious incident is reported. We think this provides adequate time for 
law enforcement to take action should an incident be serious enough to 
be reported. We do not think it is necessary to detail how video 
records must be safeguarded or shared with law enforcement, except to 
note that our proposed rule would require compliance with the current 
industry practice, which is to keep records in a secure location to 
prevent unauthorized access or tampering, and to make them available on 
request to law enforcement officials investigating an incident.
    The other crime victim advocacy organization provided technical 
recommendations for ensuring that video surveillance can provide an 
individual's ``accurate likeness.'' This organization said video 
surveillance should be operational at all times, but that monitoring 
video is ``beyond the scope of any comparable industry standard.'' It 
recommended keeping video for at least 30 days past the end of each 
cruise and as part of the investigative file in the event of an 
incident, and made additional recommendations for safeguarding and 
limiting crew access to video images. We agree that video monitoring 
should not be required. We think video should be kept for an additional 
120 days after a voyage if a serious incident is reported to have taken 
place during the voyage. The Coast Guard does not have regulatory 
authority over local law enforcement personnel and therefore we cannot 
require them to retain video as part of any open investigative file. We 
agree that video surveillance should be operational at all times and 
should provide identifiable images, and that video should be 
safeguarded and protected from unauthorized access, but we do not think 
it necessary to prescribe specifics for how each vessel complies with 
those requirements.

V. Discussion of CVSSA and Proposed Rule

    Our proposed rule would add new subpart 70.40 to subchapter H 
(passenger vessels) of Title 46 CFR. The new subpart would include all 
the self-executing CVSSA provisions, as well as regulations needed to 
implement those CVSSA provisions that require regulatory action in 
order to be fully effective. Table 1 lists each CVSSA provision and 
distinguishes the self-executing provisions from those that must be 
implemented through Coast Guard regulatory action. A detailed 
discussion follows the table.

                                     Table 1--Breakdown of CVSSA Provisions
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                                                                                         Self-executing?
            Legislative section                          Provision             ---------------------------------
                                                                                      Yes               No
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3507(a)(1)(A).............................  Rail height.......................  ...............               X
3507(a)(1)(B).............................  Peep holes........................               X   ...............
3507(a)(1)(C).............................  Security latches and time-                       X   ...............
                                             sensitive key technology for
                                             staterooms and crew cabins.
3507(a)(1)(D).............................  Systems for detecting falls         ...............               X
                                             overboard.
3507(a)(1)(E).............................  Hailing or warning devices........  ...............               X
3507(a)(2)................................  Security latches and time-                       X   ...............
                                             sensitive keys technology must
                                             consider fire and other safety
                                             requirements.
3507(b)...................................  Video recording...................  ...............               X
3507(c)...................................  Security guides...................  ...............               X
3507(d)...................................  Sexual assault response...........  ...............               X
3507(e)...................................  Confidentiality for victim's                     X   ...............
                                             information.
3507(f)...................................  Procedures to identify crew with                 X   ...............
                                             access to staterooms.
3507(g)...................................  Vessel owners required to log                    X   ...............
                                             reported criminal allegations,
                                             report serious incidents to law
                                             enforcement, and make statistics
                                             available to the public on the
                                             owner's website.
3507(h)...................................  Civil penalties for violations and               X   ...............
                                             denial of entry into the U.S.
                                             when serious crimes are alleged.

[[Page 2353]]

 
3508(a)...................................  Crime scene preservation training   ...............               X
                                             and victim assistance training.
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    Section 3507(a)(1)(A) requires each cruise vessel to ``be equipped 
with ship rails that are located not less than 42 inches above the 
cabin deck.'' This requirement is largely self-executing and Coast 
Guard inspectors already have guidance on its enforcement.\8\ However, 
to fully achieve section 3507(a)(1)(A)'s apparent intention of helping 
prevent falls overboard, we propose, in new 46 CFR 70.40-5, applying 
the 42-inch height requirement to any exterior deck to which passengers 
have general access, including but not limited to, cabin decks. We 
would allow alternative arrangements where a 42-inch height could 
interfere with the operation of lifesaving equipment or arrangements. 
Passenger vessel rails and bulwarks may already be subject to 46 CFR 
subpart 72.40, which requires a minimum height of 39\1/2\ inches, even 
if they are not subject to the CVSSA.
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    \8\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, para. 6.a.(1).
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    Section 3507(a)(1)(B) requires each passenger stateroom and crew 
cabin to be ``equipped with entry doors that include peep holes or 
other means of visual identification.'' This provision is self-
executing and Coast Guard inspectors have the necessary enforcement 
guidance.\9\ We have placed this provision in proposed 46 CFR 70.40-
2(a).
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    \9\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(2).
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    Section 3507(a)(1)(C) requires that, for any vessel the keel of 
which is laid after July 27, 2010, each passenger stateroom and crew 
cabin must be equipped with security latches and time-sensitive key 
technology. This provision is self-executing and Coast Guard inspectors 
have the necessary enforcement guidance.\10\ We have placed this 
provision in proposed 46 CFR 70.40-2(b). We interpret ``keel laid'' to 
mean the date the vessel's keel was laid or the vessel reached an 
equivalent stage of construction.
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    \10\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(3).
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    Section 3507(a)(1)(D) requires each vessel to ``integrate 
technology that can be used for capturing images of passengers or 
detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the extent that such 
technology is available.'' Therefore, in proposed 46 CFR 70.40-6 we 
would require a vessel either to maintain a fall-overboard image 
capture system, or a fall-overboard detection system, or some 
combination of both. The fall-overboard detection system, by itself, is 
intended to sound an immediate alarm, and may (but need not) capture an 
image of the falling person. However, to the extent the vessel relies 
on an image-capture system, or combination image-capture/detection 
system, the system should record the incident's date and time to 
provide proper assistance to search and rescue or law enforcement 
personnel. System video, data, and images (``records'') need to be made 
available for search and rescue or law enforcement purposes. To ensure 
that availability, we propose requiring records to be kept for the 
duration of the voyage, and for at least 14 days after all passengers 
are accounted for as having disembarked. The 14-day proviso allows 
extra time to report the disappearance of a stowaway or other person 
whose presence on the vessel may not be reflected in the vessel 
operator's records, thereby making it less likely that the person's 
disappearance could be discovered or reported quickly. If, during the 
voyage or the subsequent 14 days, the vessel receives a report of a 
fall overboard, these records would have to be kept for an additional 
120 days after receipt of the report. Our proposed rule provides 
flexible performance-based standards that may be met using a variety of 
technological equipment and systems.
    Section 3507(a)(1)(E) requires each vessel to be ``equipped with a 
sufficient number of operable acoustic hailing or other such warning 
devices to provide communication capability around the entire vessel 
when operating in high risk areas (as defined by the United States 
Coast Guard).'' We designate as ``high risk'' areas those waters where 
hazards like widespread piracy activity are known to be present. The 
location of high risk areas is sensitive security information that we 
do not divulge to the general public. We think section 3507(a)(1)(E) 
requires vessels to carry megaphones or other devices for use in high 
risk waters anywhere in the world. Such devices could facilitate 
communications if circumstances made use of the vessel's normal 
communications system impossible. We do not think section 3507(a)(1)(E) 
requires vessels to carry high pitched sound-emitting devices to repel 
unauthorized boarders, and while we take no position on the 
advisability of equipping vessels with such devices, we note that 
vessel owners and operators are free to do so if they choose. Because 
an area in which a cruise vessel is operating may be determined to be 
``high risk'' only after the vessel has entered it and no longer has 
the ability to procure appropriate equipment, we propose requiring 
vessels to carry this equipment at all times.
    Section 3507(a)(2) provides that the security-latch and time-
sensitive key technology requirements of section 3507(a)(1)(C) must be 
administered after taking ``into consideration fire safety and other 
applicable emergency requirements'' established by the Coast Guard and 
under international law, ``as appropriate.'' The section 3507(a)(1)(C) 
requirements are self-executing, and Coast Guard inspectors are 
required \11\ to make sure that the latch devices will not hinder 
appropriate emergency actions, like breaking down a door, in the event 
of a fire. We propose placing the section 3507(a)(2) requirement in 46 
CFR 70.40-2(b) to make it clear that the required devices may not 
prevent appropriate access by emergency responders.
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    \11\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(3).
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    Section 3507(a)(3) made most section 3507(a)(1) requirements 
effective January 27, 2012. Because that date has passed and the 
applicable requirements are now in effect, we have not reflected it in 
proposed regulatory text. The section 3507(a)(1)(C) security latch and 
time-sensitive key technology requirement applies only to newer vessels 
with keels laid after July 27, 2010. We have included this limitation 
on applicability in proposed 46 CFR 70.40-2(b).
    Section 3507(b) requires vessel owners to maintain a video 
surveillance system to assist in documenting crimes on the vessel and 
to provide law enforcement officials investigating those crimes with 
copies of video records. We propose new 46 CFR 70.40-8 to specify that 
the surveillance system must cover any areas of the vessel to which 
passengers or crew members have common access--which excludes passenger 
staterooms and crew cabins.

[[Page 2354]]

The surveillance system must make identifiable time and date-stamped 
images of persons who may be involved in alleged crimes. The 
surveillance system must be maintained in a secure location and access 
must be strictly limited and documented to prevent unauthorized access 
or tampering. To ensure that copies of system records can be provided 
to law enforcement officials upon request, we propose requiring those 
records to be kept for the duration of the voyage, and for 7 days after 
all passengers are accounted for as having disembarked (7 days during 
the average length of travel during the voyage and 7 days after 
disembarking). The 14-day proviso allows extra time to report a crime, 
such as theft, that may not be discovered until sometime after all 
passengers have disembarked. If a crime is reported any time during the 
14-day period, the records would need to be kept for an additional 120 
days. Our proposed rule provides performance-based standards that may 
be met using a variety of technological equipment and systems.
    Section 3507(c)(1) requires a vessel owner to provide each 
passenger with a security guide. The guide must identify onboard 
personnel designated to prevent and respond to criminal and medical 
situations, and must describe applicable criminal law procedures for 
crimes committed in any waters the vessel might traverse during the 
voyage. The vessel owner must provide the FBI with a copy of the 
security guide for comment, and must publicize the security guide on 
its Web site. Section 3507(c)(2) would require a listing of U.S. 
embassy and consulate locations in any foreign countries to be visited 
during the voyage. This list must be provided in each passenger 
stateroom, and must be posted in a location that is readily accessible 
to the crew. Although these requirements are largely self-executing, 
and enforcement guidance has been provided for Coast Guard 
inspectors,\12\ we need regulatory text to make it clear how we will 
ensure that each passenger is provided with a security guide. 
Therefore, we propose adding 46 CFR 70.40-9, to require that a copy of 
the guide must be provided in each passenger stateroom prior to each 
voyage.
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    \12\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(4).
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    Section 3507(d) specifies what medical personnel, equipment, and 
``adequate'' supplies vessel owners must maintain on board for 
responding and providing victim treatment in the event of a sexual 
assault. It also specifies the measures the vessel owner must take to 
give victims access to lawyers, investigators, and victim advocacy 
programs. Section 3507(d) is largely self-executing, and Coast Guard 
inspectors have enforcement guidance.\13\ We do not think it necessary 
to issue regulations stating what medical supplies are needed to 
provide the treatment described in section 3507(d), because that can be 
left to the discretion of the medical staff, and the identity of those 
supplies may change over time as medical techniques and supplies 
improve. However, we do think our regulations need to define, for the 
benefit of the public and our inspectors, what constitutes an adequate 
stock of medical supplies. Therefore, in proposed 46 CFR 70.40-10, we 
propose that the vessel must have enough supplies for at least two 
patients throughout the expected length of the voyage. If any of an 
owner's cruise vessels has a history of alleged sexual assaults within 
the past three years, then the owner must ensure that each of its 
vessels has enough medical supplies on board to treat the maximum 
number of assaults alleged to have occurred on one of those previous 
voyages within the last three years. We also propose requiring any crew 
member who interviews an alleged sexual assault victim to have been 
trained to communicate appropriately with a trauma victim.
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    \13\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraphs 6.a.(5) and (6).
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    Section 3507(e) requires confidentiality for information obtained 
as the result of providing medical or other assistance to sexual 
assault victims. This requirement is self-executing and Coast Guard 
inspectors have enforcement guidance.\14\ We propose referencing the 
section 3507(e) requirement in regulatory text at 46 CFR 70.40-2(c).
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    \14\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(7).
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    Section 3507(f) requires vessel owners to establish procedures for 
identifying crew members who have access to passenger staterooms and 
for limiting that access. This requirement is self-executing and Coast 
Guard inspectors have adequate enforcement guidance in CG-543 Policy 
Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(8). We propose referencing the section 
3507(f) requirement in regulatory text at 46 CFR 70.40-2(d).
    Section 3507(g) requires vessel owners to log reported criminal 
incident allegations, to report serious incidents to law enforcement 
officials, and to make a statistical compilation of data relating to 
alleged criminal incidents available to the public on the owner's Web 
site. This requirement is self-executing and Coast Guard personnel have 
enforcement guidance.\15\ We propose referencing the section 3507(g) 
requirement in regulatory text at 46 CFR 70.40-2(e).
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    \15\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.a.(9).
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    Section 3507(h) provides civil and criminal penalties for persons 
who violate section 3507 or regulations under that section. It also 
allows the Coast Guard to deny a vessel entry into the United States if 
the vessel owner commits an act or omission for which a penalty can be 
imposed under section 3507(h), or if the vessel owner fails to pay such 
a penalty. We propose referencing this provision in new 46 CFR 70.40-
1(c). CG-543 Policy Letter 11-09, paragraph 6.b, addresses how the 
Coast Guard handles possible violations.
    Section 3507(i) requires the Coast Guard to issue the 
implementation guidance contained in the two 2011 policy letters. The 
Coast Guard has complied with this requirement by issuing CG-543 Policy 
Letters 11-09 and 11-10.
    Section 3507(j) authorizes ``such regulations as are necessary to 
implement'' section 3507. This NPRM proposes the regulations we 
consider to be necessary for implementation. We do not think it 
necessary to restate the regulatory authorization itself in regulatory 
language, and the proposed rule would not do so.
    Section 3507(k) describes the vessels to which the CVSSA applies, 
to include any voyage that ``embarks or disembarks passengers in the 
United States.'' This phrase could be interpreted as applying to a 
voyage originating and ending in a foreign country, and on which no 
U.S. national is a passenger, but which makes a brief port call in a 
U.S. port. Because we do not think the U.S. interest in the safety and 
security of a vessel engaged in such a voyage is sufficient to subject 
it to the proposed regulations, we propose specifying, in 46 CFR 70.40-
1(a), that subpart 70.40 applies to a voyage that embarks or disembarks 
passengers in the U.S., ``except that embarking and disembarking does 
not include temporary port calls by passengers.'' We also propose 
clarifying, in 46 CFR 70.40-1(a), that subpart 70.40 applies to foreign 
as well as to U.S. vessels, notwithstanding 46 CFR 70.05-3(b), which 
generally exempts foreign vessels from Coast Guard passenger vessel 
regulations. We propose amending 46 CFR 70.05-3(b) to clarify that this 
general exemption is subject to specific exceptions, such as the 
exception we propose to include in 46 CFR 70.40-1(a).

[[Page 2355]]

    Section 3507(l) defines Coast Guard ``Commandant'' and a vessel's 
``owner.'' Our proposed rule does not use the term ``Commandant,'' but 
it does refer to a vessel's ``owner,'' so we propose including the 
statutory definition of that term in new 46 CFR 70.40-1(b).
    In section 3508, paragraphs (a) through (d) concern training in 
appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence preservation, 
and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime 
environment. Section 3508(a) requires the Coast Guard to consult with 
the FBI and MARAD to develop training standards and criteria, and 
permits (but does not require) MARAD to certify U.S. and foreign 
training and certification providers. We complied with section 3508(a) 
by consulting with the FBI and MARAD, and incorporated the results of 
that consultation in our policy guidance and model course.\16\ The 
model course covers the minimum standards set out in section 3508(b). 
Our guidance was issued on June 28, 2011. It established the interim 
training requirement called for by section 3508(d) (effective from July 
2011 to July 2013) and the final certification requirement called for 
by section 3508(c). We made the final certification requirement 
effective on July 27, 2013. Since that date, persons who voluntarily 
develop and provide training that meets the model course criteria have 
been eligible for certification as training providers under section 
3508(a), and persons who voluntarily receive that training have been 
eligible for certification under section 3508(c) as having received the 
training specified by that paragraph. However, the policy letter is not 
binding on members of the public and therefore, until new regulations 
are in place, no one is obligated to receive certification either as a 
training provider or as having received training.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-10. See footnote 2 for a link to 
the model course.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We propose making certification mandatory by adding new 46 CFR 
70.40-11. A person who develops and provides training in all the 
subjects listed in section 70.40-11(a), and who certifies those who 
successfully complete training, would be eligible for certification as 
a training provider. This certification could be made by MARAD, if 
MARAD chooses to exercise its discretionary section 3508(a) authority 
to provide certification, and section 70.40-11(b)(2) makes it clear 
that we would accept the validity of MARAD's certification so long as 
MARAD's certification criteria requires training in all the subjects 
listed in section 70.40-11(a). If MARAD chooses not to provide 
certification, a person could become a certified training provider 
under section 70.40-11(b)(1) by self-certifying that the training 
provided meets or exceeds the criteria detailed in our model course.
    A person who successfully completes training from a certified 
training provider in all the subjects listed in section 70.40-11(a) 
would be certified as having received the training specified by 46 
U.S.C. 3508(c). Over time, training may be forgotten, and relevant 
developments such as changes in evidentiary techniques may require 
updates to our model course requirements. Therefore, we propose 
requiring training and certification to be refreshed at least once 
every 2 years.
    Section 3508(e) provides civil penalties for violations of section 
3508. Coast Guard personnel have been given enforcement guidance for 
this provision, which we propose referencing in new 46 CFR 70.40-
1(c).\17\, provides enforcement guidance to Coast Guard personnel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ CG-543 Policy Letter 11-10, paragraph 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 3508(f) allows the Coast Guard to deny entry into the U.S. 
by vessels that violate section 3508 or fail to pay a penalty for 
violation. We propose referencing this provision in new 46 CFR 70.40-
1(c).

VI. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on 14 of these statutes or executive orders.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and 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 proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed it under that Order. 
Nonetheless, we developed an analysis of the costs and benefits of the 
proposed rule to ascertain its probable impacts on industry. We 
consider all estimates and analysis in this regulatory analysis to be 
preliminary and subject to change in consideration of public comments.

             Table 1--Summary of the Proposed Rule's Impacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Category                              Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicability.....................  Cruise vessels that are authorized
                                     to carry at least 250 passengers,
                                     have onboard sleeping facilities
                                     for each passenger, are on voyages
                                     that embark or disembark passengers
                                     in the United States, and are not
                                     engaged in coastwise voyages
Affected Population...............  147 cruise vessels:
                                    71 U.S. flagged
                                    76 Foreign flagged
Total Cost to Industry and          10-year: $79.1 million \2\
 Government\1\.                     Annualized: $8.4 million \2\
(7% discount rate)................
Non-quantified Benefits...........  Clarification of rail height
                                     requirements by aligning regulation
                                     with statutory language.
                                    Enhanced ability to determine if and
                                     when a person went overboard.
                                    Potential to reduce search and
                                     rescue costs by reducing search
                                     area.
                                    Clarification of hailing or warning
                                     devices requirement by aligning
                                     regulation with statutory language.
                                    Improved criminal investigation and
                                     recordkeeping

[[Page 2356]]

 
                                    Potential deterrent effect.
                                    Clarification of sexual assault
                                     medical equipment requirements by
                                     aligning regulation with statutory
                                     language.
                                    Enhanced awareness of security
                                     contacts, in case of an emergency.
                                    Ensures that personnel are trained
                                     appropriately in crime scene
                                     preservation, thereby improving
                                     criminal investigation and
                                     recordkeeping.
                                    Ensures that vessel crew members are
                                     limited in their access to
                                     passenger staterooms.
                                    Clarifies that crewmembers respect
                                     the privacy of passengers and the
                                     security of their staterooms.
                                    Improved recordkeeping.
                                    Enhanced transparency to the public
                                     of reported crimes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note that US-based cost is $28.4 million and the cost to foreign-
  based companies is $30.7 million (10-year, 7% discounted)
\2\ Costs include burden imposed to comply with statue.

    A preliminary Regulatory Assessment follows:
    In this NPRM, we propose to implement the CVSSA, codified at 46 
U.S.C. 3507 and 3508. The proposed changes include amendments to 
regulations affected by CVSSA mandates, and new guidelines for 
surveillance systems, determining the appropriate amount of medical 
supplies to maintain on board to treat victims of a sexual assault, and 
reporting serious incidents to Federal authorities. The proposed 
changes, in conjunction with CVSSA mandates, are intended to improve 
passenger and crew safety aboard cruise vessels.
    As previously discussed, many provisions of the CVSSA were current 
industry standards prior to the enactment of the CVSSA and implementing 
the proposed regulatory changes will not result in any change in 
industry practices. This preliminary regulatory analysis provides an 
assessment of costs and benefits of the provisions of the proposal.
    This proposed rule would affect current Coast Guard regulations in 
Title 46, subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) of the CFR. The CVSSA 
affects a unique subset of approximately 147 overnight ocean-going 
cruise vessels that operate worldwide, of which approximately 48 
percent are U.S.-based. The other 52 percent are foreign-based. At that 
rate, the US-based cost is approximately 38.0 million and the cost to 
foreign-based companies is approximately $41.1 million (10-year, 
undiscounted).\18\ These cruise vessels are authorized to carry at 
least 250 passengers, have onboard sleeping facilities for each 
passenger, are on voyages that embark or disembark passengers in the 
United States, and are not engaged in coastwise voyages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We propose to amend 46 CFR part 70 to address changes to current 
regulations dealing with ship design and operating requirements 
resulting from the CVSSA that are specifically directed to cruise ships 
as defined in the CVSSA. Table 2 provides a summary of the cost impacts 
from the proposed rule by provision.
    Many of the provisions of the CVSSA were already current industry 
practice prior to the enactment to the statute. According to the 
Government Accountability Office:

    ``Officials from all five of the cruise lines we spoke with, as 
well as CLIA [the Cruise Line International Association], told us 
that there were minor issues with implementing these 11 CVSSA 
requirements and that most of the safety and security measures 
required by the law were already in place when the CVSSA was 
enacted, in July 2010. For example, each of the cruise line 
officials we met with told us that their vessels already were in 
compliance with most CVSSA provisions including having peepholes in 
stateroom doors, using certified medical personnel for sexual 
assault exams, and carrying rape kits onboard.'' \19\

    \19\ ``Cruise Vessels: Most Required Security and Safety 
Measures Have Been Implemented, but Concerns Remain About Crime 
Reporting'', December 2013, United States Government Accountability 
Office report (GAO-14-43), p. 13 (available at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-43).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the provisions that were industry practice prior to the CVSSA 
enactment, there will be no cost impacts for the proposal.

                                        Table 2--Summary of Cost Impacts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Provision/Description of Change          Type of Change                         Cost Impact
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Sec.   70.05-3 Foreign vessels subject to the requirements of this subchapter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requires the compliance of foreign     Mandatory statutory      No cost because this describes the population.
 vessels.                               alignment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Sec.   70.40-1 Applicability; definition; penalties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defines the type of cruise vessel....  Mandatory statutory      No cost because this describes the affected
                                        alignment.               population.
Civil penalties for violations and     Mandatory statutory      No net impact. Civil penalties are transfer
 denial of entry into the U.S. when     alignment.               payments and avoidable by complying with the
 serious crimes are alleged.                                     law.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2357]]

 
                                     Sec.   70.40-2 Statutory requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requires peep holes or other means of  Mandatory statutory      No cost. Already industry practice prior to
 visual identification.                 alignment.               CVSSA.\20\
Security latches and time-sensitive    Mandatory statutory      Currently, all vessels are in compliance with
 key technology for staterooms and      alignment.               this requirement so there is no cost due to the
 crew cabins for new vessels.                                    regulatory implementation of the statutory
                                                                 requirement. However, some vessels made
                                                                 modifications in order to comply with the 2010
                                                                 statute. The total cost incurred by industry at
                                                                 that time to comply with the statute is $23.3
                                                                 million (10-year, 7% discounted).
Confidentiality of sexual assault      Mandatory statutory      No cost. Rule only states that confidentiality
 examination.                           alignment.               must be upheld in sexual assault cases.
Means to access support information    Mandatory statutory      Telephone line and computer with internet access
 (telephone line, computer and          alignment.               currently available and provided.
 internet access).
Procedures to identify crew with       Mandatory statutory      $29,164 total cost (10-year, 7% discounted).
 access to staterooms.                  alignment.
Vessel owners required to log          Mandatory statutory      $26,523 total cost (10-year 7% discounted).
 reported criminal allegations,         alignment.
 report serious incidents to law
 enforcement, and make statistics
 available to the public on the
 owner's website.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Sec.   70.40-5 Rail or bulwark height.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rail heights must be at least 42       Mandatory statutory      Currently, all vessels are in compliance with
 inches above deck, except where it     alignment.               this requirement so there is no cost due to the
 would interfere with the operation                              regulatory implementation of the statutory
 of lifesaving equipment.                                        requirement. However, some vessels made
                                                                 modifications in order to comply with the 2010
                                                                 statute. The total cost incurred by industry at
                                                                 that time to comply with the statute is
                                                                 $125,496 (10-year, 7% discounted).\21\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Sec.   70.40-6 Fall-overboard incidents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels must have a system for         Mandatory statutory      $29.9 million total cost (10-year, 7%
 detecting or capturing falls           alignment.               discounted).
 overboard.
Video footage must be kept for 14      USCG has the discretion  $13,180 total cost (10-year, 7% discounted) for
 days or an additional 120 days after   to establish time        retention of footage for 120 days.
 receipt of a report.                   required to store such
                                        footage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Sec.   70.40-7 Hailing or warning devices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels must be equipped with a        Mandatory statutory      No cost. Already in compliance.\22\
 hailing or warning device.             alignment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Sec.   70.40-8 Video recording.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requires video footage of common       Mandatory statutory      No cost. Cruise vessels, prior to CVSSA, already
 access areas. Excludes state room      alignment.               had an extensive system of surveillance
 and crew cabins.                                                cameras. The performance-based requirements
                                                                 proposed here mirror the desired criteria used
                                                                 by industry in meeting the statutory
                                                                 requirements.\23\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video footage must be kept for 14      USCG has the discretion  See Sec.   70.40-6 above for cost.
 days or an additional 120 days after   to establish the time
 receipt of a report.                   required to store
                                        footage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2358]]

 
                             Sec.   70.40-9 Security guides and embassy information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security guides must be provided in    USCG has the discretion  $3.2 million total cost (10-year, 7%
 each stateroom.                        to establish protocol    discounted).
                                        in which individuals
                                        are provided access to
                                        security guides.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Sec.   70.40-10 Sexual assault response.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels must have a sufficient number  USCG has discretion to   No cost. Already industry practice prior to
 of medication and equipment to deal    establish the quantity   CVSSA.\24\
 with sexual assault cases.             of medication and
                                        equipment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Sec.   70.40-11 Training.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels must have at least one person  USCG has the discretion  $2.5 million total cost (10-year, 7%
 trained in crime scene preservation    to establish minimum     discounted).
 training.                              training requirements.
Vessels must have trained staff
 onboard to deal with trauma victims.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There are nine categories of requirements in this proposal that we 
discuss and analyze in this section:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ ``Cruise Vessels: Most Required Security and Safety 
Measures Have Been Implemented, but Concerns Remain About Crime 
Reporting'', December 2013, United States Government Accountability 
Office report (GAO-14-43), p. 13 (available at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-43).
    \21\ GAO-14-43 documented one case where a vessel needed to 
change rail heights. Based on the GAO report, we assume that all 
CLIA members are in compliance with the exception of one vessel. Due 
to the lack of information, we assume that the remaining three non-
CLIA members will also need to update rail heights.
    \22\ As described below, based on SOLAS requirements for all 
international ships to have a public address system onboard, and 
based on ship examinations, we estimate that vessels comply with 
this requirement.
    \23\ USCG Docket USCG-2011-0357, CLIA, July 25, 2011.
    \24\ GAO-14-43, ``Cruise Vessels: Most Required Security and 
Safety Measures Have Been Implemented, but Concerns Remain About 
Crime Reporting'' GAO report, p. 13. American College of Emergency 
Physicians Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities 
specify carriage of these supplies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Rail Heights and Guards
    2. Fall-Overboard Incidents
    3. Hailing or Warning Devices
    4. Video Recording
    5. Sexual Assault
    6. Security Guides
    7. Training
    8. Crewmembers with Stateroom Access Addendums
    9. Crime Complaints Logs
    To better inform our analysis for this proposal, the Coast Guard 
issued a notice of request for comments (76 FR 31350; May 25, 2011), to 
solicit public comment on the availability of technology to meet 
certain provisions of the CVSSA, specifically related to video 
recording and fall-overboard detection technologies. Our research also 
gathered information from the CLIA to assess the current practices in 
the field. The information provided by CLIA confirms that the 
requirements detailed in this proposed rule are for the most part 
current industry practice. The responses from CLIA, whose member 
companies account for 98 percent of the cruise capacity marketed for 
North America, were used to support this preliminary regulatory 
analysis regarding CVSSA compliance with requirements related to rail 
heights and guards, falls-overboard detection, video recording, sexual 
assault, and timeliness of crimes reporting.
    For several provisions, the current industry practice prior to the 
CVSSA already met the proposed requirements. This section analyzes 
those requirements that are expected to have a cost impact on the 
affected population.
1. Rail Heights and Guards
    The CVSSA requires that vessels be equipped with ship rails that 
are located not less than 42 inches above the cabin deck. Based on 
information provided by industry, 42 inches is, for the most part, the 
current industry standard for rail heights. For example, classification 
societies such Lloyd's require a rail-height build standard of 1100 
millimeters above deck, which is 32 millimeters above the 42 inches 
(1067mm) CVSSA requirement. The 2013 GAO report documented industry 
compliance with one exception where a cruise line has modified isolated 
locations on a single vessel (such as around entrance gangways and 
lifeboat stations) and is now in compliance with the 42-inch 
standard.\25\ Based on this information, the Coast Guard estimates that 
all CLIA members except for one vessel meet this requirement. Since we 
have no information on the other 3 vessels of the affected population, 
we assume that they would need to upgrade the rail heights in limited 
locations as well (for a total of 4 vessels affected by this 
requirement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ GAO-14-43, p. 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To determine the length of rail to be replaced around lifeboat 
stations, we first estimate the number of lifeboats per cruise vessel. 
The Coast Guard Foreign and Offshore Vessel Division within the Office 
of Commercial Vessel Compliance estimates that, on average, there are 
1,600 staterooms per cruise ship. Assuming that there are 2 people per 
stateroom, we estimate that there are 3,200 people per ship.\26\ 
Assuming a passenger capacity of 150 people, we estimate that the rails 
would need to be adjusted around 22 lifeboats.\27\ Assuming that the 
average length of a lifeboat is 12 meters, an affected vessel would 
need to update 264 meters per boat, at an average cost of $100 per 
meter for rails and a weld rate of $27.16 per hour. 28 29 30 
The per vessel cost is as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090212185609AAFuxLL.
    \27\ http://www.rina.org.uk/lifeboat-embarkation.html.
    \28\ Average length of a lifeboat http://www.fassmer.de/index.php?id=63.
    \29\ Average rate of rails is $100/meter. $50/meter http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/cheap-dubai-stainless-steel-railings-price_1338866401.html, $150/meter http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/stainless-steel-railings-price_1382208547.html.
    \30\ Welder: 1 hour per meter (Coast Guard subject matter 
expert)*$27.16 per hour (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2011/may/oes514121.htm) * load factor of 1.49. Therefore the welder's loaded 
wage rate is $27.16 = ($18.23 wage rate * 1.49 load rate).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    264 meters * $27.16 per hour (1 hour per meter) + $26,400 rails = 
$33,570 per vessel
    We estimate that 4 vessels would be affected by this provision. We 
estimate that vessels would incur a one-time cost

[[Page 2359]]

of $134,281 in year one. $33,570 * 4 vessels = $134,281.
2. Overboard Detection or Capture
    The CVSSA requires integration of technology that can be used for 
capturing images of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen 
overboard, to the extent that such technology is available, and does 
not require one approach over the other. This provision is performance 
based and allows for use of either image-capture or detection systems, 
or a combination thereof. Based on the comments submitted by CLIA in 
response to the 2011 notice, we anticipate industry will comply 
predominantly through capture.
    According to CLIA, image capture technology systems (closed circuit 
TV, thermal, etc.) have been proven to be reliable and have been 
successfully used in the maritime environment for many years. However, 
the technology to reliably detect persons or objects as they are in the 
process of going overboard is not yet readily available for use at sea. 
Because the statute does not require one method over the other, we 
anticipate that the cruise industry will focus on using capture systems 
rather than detection systems.
    While some cruise ships already have cameras that can capture 
images of objects going overboard, the industry does not universally 
meet the requirements of the CVSSA at this time. Based on industry data 
provided by cruise lines, we estimate that costs would range from 
$62,500 to $700,000 per ship in order to comply with the CVSSA 
requirements. For the purposes of regulatory analysis, we used the 
weighted average of all the cost points as provided by industry 
($108,583 per ship). Coast Guard data indicates that there are 147 
cruise ships that will be affected by this regulation.\31\ Coast Guard 
estimates that all 147 cruise ships would incur additional costs to 
comply with this requirement. Using the $108,583 cost per ship for 147 
ships, we estimate that the first year cost would be $15.96 million. 
Because of the harsh weather conditions at sea and the dynamic nature 
of a cruise ship, we must account for some maintenance and operational 
cost to maintain the cameras on an annual basis. For this analysis, we 
assume the annual cost will be 5 percent of the installation costs due 
to deterioration from weather, or about $798,088 per year.\32\ We also 
assume a 5-year replacement cost for the system equal to the first year 
cost.\33\ Table 3 shows the 10-year costs for overboard capture 
systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ The CVSSA of 2010 states that there are approximately 200 
cruise vessels affected. The Coast Guard Foreign and Offshore Vessel 
Division provided an updated figure of 147.
    \32\ Based on input from Coast Guard subject matter experts for 
similarly exposed equipment.
    \33\ Ibid.

                                   Table 3--Cost for Overboard Capture System
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................        $15,961,750        $14,917,523        $15,496,845
2......................................................            798,088            697,081            752,274
3......................................................            798,088            651,477            730,363
4......................................................            798,088            608,857            709,090
5......................................................            798,088            569,025            688,437
6......................................................         15,961,750         10,635,988         13,367,714
7......................................................            798,088            497,009            648,918
8......................................................            798,088            464,494            630,018
9......................................................            798,088            434,107            611,668
10.....................................................            798,088            405,707            593,852
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................         38,308,200         29,881,268         34,229,179
Annualized.............................................  .................          4,254,420          4,012,704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the 10-year costs for overboard capture systems to be 
approximately $29.9 million discounted at 7 percent and $34.2 million 
discounted at 3 percent. The annualized costs would be $4.3 million and 
$4.0 million discounted at 7 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
3. Hailing or Warning Devices
    This proposal requires that all vessels transiting waters that are 
designated as a high risk area be equipped with acoustic hailing or 
other devices as required by the Coast Guard to provide communication 
capability around the entire vessel. Based on International Convention 
for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements for all 
international ships to have a public address system onboard, and based 
on ship examinations, we estimate that all vessels comply with this 
requirement.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ SOLAS Chapter IV, Regulation 6. https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201184/volume-1184-I-18961-English.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Video Recording and Retention
    The CVSSA requires affected vessel owners to ``maintain a video 
surveillance system to assist in documenting crimes on the vessel and 
in providing evidence for the prosecution of such crimes, as determined 
by the Secretary.'' 46 U.S.C. 3507(b)(1). The Act further requires 
vessel owners to ``provide to any law enforcement official performing 
official duties in the course and scope of an investigation, upon 
request, a copy of all records of video surveillance that the official 
believes may provide evidence of a crime reported to law enforcement 
officials.'' 46 U.S.C. 3507(b)(2).
    Industry representatives provided information that cruise vessels 
maintain video footage for approximately 14 days (7 days during the 
average cruise and 7 days beyond the end of the cruise).\35\ The 
proposed regulation requires the retention of video for two weeks. 
Based on this information, we assumed no cost to retain footage for 14 
days due to the current industry practice of retaining video for 14 
days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ GAO-14-43 ``Cruise Vessels: Most Required Security and 
Safety Measures Have Been Implemented, but Concerns Remain About 
Crime Reporting'' GAO report, p. 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, in the event of a reported crime, a cruise vessel would 
need to maintain footage of the incident for at least an additional 120 
days. Industry would incur a collection of information cost to store 
footage of reported incidents. From 2010-2012, there was an average of 
73 incidents reported annually to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
We assume that footage

[[Page 2360]]

would be stored by a Vessel Security Officer, at the loaded wage rate 
of $51.41 per hour.\36\ Based on other collections of information, we 
assume that it would take 30 minutes (0.5 hours) to store video 
footage. At this rate, we estimate the annual hour burden to be 36.5 
hours (0.5 hours x 73 incidents), costing cruise vessels $1,876 
annually for all 147 vessels or $15 per ship. Table 4 provides the 10-
year breakdown in costs for this provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Mean reported wage is $34.50 * 1.49 load rate = $51.41. 
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2011/may/oes535021.htm.

                            Table 4--Cost To Retain Video Footage for Reported Crimes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................             $1,876             $1,754             $1,822
2......................................................              1,876              1,639              1,769
3......................................................              1,876              1,532              1,717
4......................................................              1,876              1,432              1,667
5......................................................              1,876              1,338              1,619
6......................................................              1,876              1,250              1,572
7......................................................              1,876              1,169              1,526
8......................................................              1,876              1,092              1,481
9......................................................              1,876              1,021              1,438
10.....................................................              1,876                954              1,396
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................             18,765             13,180             16,007
Annualized.............................................  .................              1,876              1,876
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note numbers may not add due to rounding.

5. Sexual Assault
    The CVSSA requires cruise ships to maintain an adequate supply of 
equipment and materials for performing a medical examination in sexual 
assault cases. Current industry practice is for vessels to determine 
the appropriate supply based on the number of passengers, history of 
sexual assaults where medications are needed and the demographics of 
the cruising population. Cruise lines follow the American College of 
Emergency Physicians Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical 
Facilities. As such, we do not expect industry to incur additional 
burden from this requirement, as it was current industry practice prior 
to the CVSSA.37 38
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ http://www.cruising.org/regulatory/issues-facts/health-and-medical.
    \38\ http://www.acep.org/Content.aspx?id=29980.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Security Guides
    Based on research into company Web sites, security guides are 
available via the company Web site. However, the CVSSA requires that 
vessel owners provide each passenger with access to a security guide. 
The guide must identify onboard personnel designated to prevent and 
respond to criminal and medical situations, and it must describe 
applicable criminal law procedures for offenses committed in any waters 
the vessel might be in during the voyage. The guide must also provide a 
list of U.S. embassy and consulate locations in foreign countries to be 
visited during the voyage. We propose that a copy of the security guide 
must be placed in each stateroom. Industry will incur a cost for this 
requirement initially as well as an annual replacement cost. The Coast 
Guard Foreign and Offshore Vessel Division within the Office of 
Commercial Vessel Compliance estimates that, on average, there are 
1,600 staterooms per cruise ship. We estimate 147 cruise ships would be 
affected by this proposal, meaning there would be 235,200 security 
guides required for the affected population. As security guides are 
currently available on company Web sites, there will be no additional 
cost to develop the content of the security guide.
    Based on one industry Web site, there were 72 pages of security 
information ($0.10 per page * 72 pages = $7.20 printing cost).\39\ We 
then estimate that an administrative assistant or secretary would print 
the pages and add the guide to existing vessel and cruise documentation 
in the staterooms at a rate of 10 minutes per guide ($23.65 loaded wage 
rate * 0.1667 = $3.94).\40\ We based our estimate of 10 minutes on 
information from internal subject matter experts. With this cost of 
$7.20 per security guide and $3.94 in labor hours to print and add the 
guide to existing vessel and cruise documentation currently provided 
within staterooms, this requirement would have an initial cost of $2.62 
million. We also assume a five-percent replacement cost per year of 
$131,035. Table 5 shows the estimated 10-year costs for this 
requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Security_Guide_11252013.pdf.
    \40\ $23.65 = ($15.87 per hour * 1.49 loaded wage rate) http://www.bls.gov/oes/2011/may/oes436014.htm.

                                          Table 5--Security Guide Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................         $2,620,705         $2,449,257         $2,544,374
2......................................................            131,035            114,451            123,513
3......................................................            131,035            106,964            119,916
4......................................................            131,035             99,966            116,423
5......................................................            131,035             93,426            113,032
6......................................................            131,035             87,314            109,740
7......................................................            131,035             81,602            106,544
8......................................................            131,035             76,264            103,440
9......................................................            131,035             71,275            100,428

[[Page 2361]]

 
10.....................................................            131,035             66,612             97,503
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
        Total..........................................          3,800,023          3,247,131          3,534,913
Annualized.............................................  .................            462,318            414,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note that numbers may not total due to rounding.

7. Training
    The proposed regulation would require refresher training for crime 
scene preservation. This proposal would require that a refresher course 
be taken at least every two years. This will present a burden to 
industry equal to the opportunity cost associated with staff time spent 
in training. For this rulemaking, we assume that refresher training 
will be similar in content to the initial training and will take 
approximately 8 hours, based on MARAD's available training course.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Freely accessed at: http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Model_Course_CVSSA_11-01.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed regulation would also require that a person who 
interviews an alleged sexual assault victim must be trained to 
communicate appropriately with a trauma victim. We assume that a VSO 
would be the first point of contact for an alleged sexual assault; 
therefore, we assume that they would need additional victim assistance 
training in the event that a sexual assault occurs.
    We assume that the refresher training and victim assistance 
training may be available via multiple delivery methods, including 
electronic or on the job training. As such, we do not account for 
travel costs associated with training in this regulatory analysis. For 
our analysis, we assume that the vessel security officer would complete 
the eight hour training for crime preservation and an additional forty 
hours for victim assistance training at a cost of $2,467.68 per 
trainee, at a loaded hourly wage of $51.41. As we estimate that there 
are 147 cruise ships that would train a total of two vessel security 
officers, we anticipate that this requirement would cost approximately 
$362,749 per year, based on one-half of the population taking the 
refresher every year.\42\ Table 6 shows these costs over the 10-year 
period of analysis. (Number of Vessels (147) x Trainees per Vessel (2) 
x Cost per Trainee ($2,467.68) / 2 years = Training Cost per Year = 
($362,749 rounded)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ Based on Coast Guard subject matter experts, a cruise ship 
will have one VSO on board during a cruise. In order for cruise 
ships to operate on existing schedules, a second VSO per ship is 
required to act as a backup and to alternate cruises as needed. 
Thus, two VSO's per ship would require training.

                                             Table 6--Training Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................           $362,749           $339,018           $352,183
2......................................................            362,749            316,839            341,926
3......................................................            362,749            296,111            331,967
4......................................................            362,749            276,739            322,298
5......................................................            362,749            258,635            312,910
6......................................................            362,749            241,715            303,797
7......................................................            362,749            225,902            294,948
8......................................................            362,749            211,123            286,357
9......................................................            362,749            197,311            278,017
10.....................................................            362,749            184,403            269,919
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................          3,627,490          2,547,797          3,094,323
Annualized.............................................  .................            362,749            362,749
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Crew Access
    The proposed regulation requires an addendum or memo listing all 
crewmembers with stateroom access as well as procedures and 
restrictions to stateroom access. Based on input from internal subject 
matter experts we estimate that it would take 20 hours for each company 
to create the document and then an additional hour per ship to modify 
it according to their specifications and distribute it. Based on Coast 
Guard Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) data, 
we estimate that there are approximately 23 companies managing the 147 
ships. Based on this information, the number of total hours needed to 
draft an addendum or memo is 607 = ((23 companies * 20 hours) + (147 
ships * 1 hour)). It would be a one-time cost of $31,206 = (607 hours * 
$51.41 per hour) for VSOs.
9. Alleged Crime Logs
    The CVSSA requires that complaints of crimes (thefts of $10,000 or 
more or other crimes) must be logged and reported to the Coast Guard, 
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or other law enforcement 
personnel. From 2010 to 2012, there has been an average of 73 cases per 
year reported to the FBI.\43\ Based on internal subject matter experts, 
we estimate that would take a VSO 0.5 hours to log the report as 
outlined in the U.S.C. 3507(g) and take another 0.5 hours to report it 
to the appropriate officials at the rate of $51.41 per hour. The CVSSA 
also requires that reported crimes be posted on their Web site. Based 
on internal subject matter experts, we estimate that a web developer 
would upload the information at $58.51 per hour in 0.1 hours.\44\ Table 
7 provides the breakdown of costs for the VSO to log and report alleged 
crimes and for a web developer to upload crimes committed to the Web 
site.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ GAO-14-43 Cruise Vessels: Most Required Security and Safety 
Measures Have Been Implemented, but Concerns Remain About Crime 
Reporting'' GAO report, p. 25.
    \44\ Web developer: $58.51 = ($39.27 wage rate * 1.49 load 
rate). (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2011/may/oes151179.htm)

[[Page 2362]]

                            Table 7--Logging, Reporting, and Uploaded List of Crimes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Number of          Hours per
              Activity                    incidents           incident       Hourly wage rate     Annual cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Log Incidents.......................                 73                0.5              51.41             $1,876
Report Serious Crimes...............                 73                0.5              51.41              1,876
Upload onto Website.................                  4                0.1              58.51                 23
Annual Cost.........................  .................  .................  .................              3,776
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 8 provides the 10-year breakdown for these annually recurring 
costs.

                               Table 8--10-Year Crimes Logging and Reporting Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................             $3,776             $3,529             $3,666
2......................................................              3,776              3,298              3,560
3......................................................              3,776              3,083              3,456
4......................................................              3,776              2,881              3,355
5......................................................              3,776              2,692              3,257
6......................................................              3,776              2,516              3,163
7......................................................              3,776              2,352              3,071
8......................................................              3,776              2,198              2,981
9......................................................              3,776              2,054              2,894
10.....................................................              3,776              1,920              2,810
                                                                    37,763             26,523             32,213
Annualized.............................................  .................              3,776              3,776
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Total Cost
    Based on our analysis, we anticipate the cost drivers to industry 
from this proposal would come from the fall-overboard capture systems 
and security locks, which represent about 48% and 42% of the total cost 
of the proposed rule, respectively. Based on the cost inputs as 
described in the sections above, we estimate that it would cost $4.0 
million per ship to comply with this proposed rule. Table 9 provides 
the per-vessel cost by provision.

                                                           Table 9--Per Ship Cost by Provision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Rail                  Overboard     Video                                         Security
                                                heights      Locks      capture     storage    Addendums     Logs      Training     guides       Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................     $33,570    $368,000    $108,583         $13        $212         $26      $2,468     $17,828    $530,700
2...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
3...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
4...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
5...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
6...........................................           0     368,000     108,583          13           0          26       2,468         891     479,981
7...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
8...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
9...........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
10..........................................           0     368,000       5,429          13           0          26       2,468         891     376,827
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...................................      33,570   3,680,000     260,600         128         212         257      24,677      25,850   4,025,294
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 10 shows the total, undiscounted 10-year cost by provision.

                                               Table 10--Total Undiscounted Cost to Industry by Provision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Rail                    Overboard       Video                                         Security
                                        heights      Locks        capture       storage    Addendums     Logs      Training     guides         Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................    $134,281  $3,312,000     $15,961,750      $1,876     $31,206      $3,776    $362,749  $2,620,705     $22,428,344
2...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
3...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
4...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
5...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
6...................................           0   3,312,000      15,961,750       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035      19,773,187
7...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525

[[Page 2363]]

 
8...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
9...................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
10..................................           0   3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0       3,776     362,749     131,035       4,609,525
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...........................     134,281  33,120,000      38,308,200      18,765      31,206      37,763   3,627,490   3,800,023      79,077,728
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The total undiscounted cost without the self-implementing provisions for rail heights and locks is $45.8 million.

    Table 11 shows the 10-year costs for this proposal. As shown in 
Table 11, we estimate the 10-year costs for CVSSA requirements 
implemented by this proposed rule to be approximately $59.1 million 
discounted at 7 percent and $69.3 million discounted at 3 percent. The 
annualized costs would be $8.4 million and $8.1 million discounted at 7 
percent and 3 percent, respectively.

                                              Table 11--Total Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Year                              Undiscounted     7% Discount rate   3% Discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................        $22,428,344        $20,961,069        $21,775,091
2......................................................          4,609,525          4,026,137          4,344,919
3......................................................          4,609,525          3,762,745          4,218,368
4......................................................          4,609,525          3,516,584          4,095,503
5......................................................          4,609,525          3,286,527          3,976,216
6......................................................         19,773,187         13,175,709         16,559,733
7......................................................          4,609,525          2,870,580          3,747,965
8......................................................          4,609,525          2,682,785          3,638,801
9......................................................          4,609,525          2,507,276          3,532,817
10.....................................................          4,609,525          2,343,249          3,429,919
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................         79,077,728         59,132,663         69,319,333
Annualized.............................................  .................          8,419,161          8,126,341
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benefits
    The purpose of this proposal is to provide requirements for those 
provisions in the CVSSA that are not self-executing, thereby complying 
with statutory requirements and enhancing compliance with the CVSSA 
mandate. Table 12 describes the benefits for the requirements presented 
in this NPRM.

                           Table 12--Benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Key provision                           Benefit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rail Heights......................   Clarification of rail
                                     height requirements by aligning
                                     regulation with statutory language.
Overboard Detection or Capture....   Enhanced ability to
                                     determine if and when a person went
                                     overboard. Potential to reduce
                                     search and rescue costs by reducing
                                     search area.
Hailing or Warning Devices........   Clarification of hailing or
                                     warning devices requirement by
                                     aligning regulation with statutory
                                     language.
Video Recording...................   Improved criminal
                                     investigation and recordkeeping.
                                     Potential deterrent affect.
Sexual Assault....................   Clarification of sexual
                                     assault medical equipment
                                     requirements by aligning regulation
                                     with statutory language.
Security Guides...................   Enhanced awareness of
                                     security contacts, in case of an
                                     emergency.
Training..........................   Ensures that personnel are
                                     trained appropriately in crime
                                     scene preservation, thereby
                                     improving criminal investigation
                                     and recordkeeping.
Crew Access.......................   Ensures that vessel crew
                                     members are limited in their access
                                     to passenger staterooms.
                                     Clarifies that crewmembers
                                     respect the privacy of passengers
                                     and the security of their
                                     staterooms.
Crime Logs........................   Improved recordkeeping.
                                     Enhanced transparency to
                                     the public of reported crimes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule would align regulatory language with 
congressional mandates in the CVSSA to reduce regulatory uncertainty. 
Because most of our proposals align with current industry practice, 
most benefits derive from harmonizing regulatory language with the 
statute. For other requirements, it is difficult to quantify the 
benefits because we cannot accurately estimate what the impact would be 
of provisions like fall-overboard capture or availability of security 
contacts. Therefore we discuss the benefits of those requirements 
qualitatively.
    From 2010 to 2012, the average annual number of crimes that 
occurred on cruise ships reported to the FBI was 73. Crimes may be 
homicide, suspicious deaths, missing, kidnapping, assault with serious 
bodily injury, firing or tampering with the vessel, thefts greater than 
$10,000, or sexual assault.
    In 2011, there were five cruise ship-related cases of a person in 
the water who required a search and rescue (SAR) effort by the Coast 
Guard. These cases

[[Page 2364]]

resulted in one life lost and four lives unaccounted for. These five 
SAR activities required 14 sorties at a total expense of approximately 
$1.2 million. We believe that the introduction of more robust fall-
overboard detection or capture capabilities could lead to a decrease in 
the SAR costs associated with fall-overboard incidents on cruise ships. 
By providing accurate information about where and when a person may 
have fallen overboard, the industry and the proper authorities would be 
able to reduce their search area, which would reduce costs and could 
also lead to an increase in recovery and survivability of a person who 
has fallen overboard.
    Looking at Coast Guard MISLE casualty data from 2007-2011, we found 
that, on average, there have been 2.2 deaths or missing persons per 
year due to falls overboard on cruise ships. Using $9.1 million as the 
value of a statistical life,\45\ we can monetize these casualties at 
$20.0 million per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ United States Department of Transportation, ``Guidance on 
Treatment of the Economic Value of a Statistical Life in U.S. 
Department of Transportation Analyses'', 2013, available at http://www.dot.gov/regulations/economic-values-used-in-analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Break-even analysis is useful when it is not possible to quantify 
the benefits of a regulatory action. OMB Circular A-4 recommends a 
``threshold'' or ``break-even'' analysis when non-quantified benefits 
are important to evaluating the benefits of a regulation. Threshold or 
break-even analysis answers the question, ``How small could the value 
of the non-quantified benefits be (or how large would the value of the 
non-quantified costs need to be) before the rule would yield zero net 
benefits?'' \46\ If we use value of the fatalities from falls overboard 
from a cruise ($20.0 million) to perform a break-even analysis, we get 
a required risk reduction of 40.4 percent \47\ for the benefits to 
break even with the costs. To state it another way, this proposal would 
need to prevent 1 death every 3 years to break even (Table 11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-4, 
September 17, 2003.
    \47\ To calculate the required risk reduction for costs and 
benefits to break even, we divide the annualized cost of the RA by 
the annual monetized loss that we are trying to mitigate: $8.4 
million/$20.0 million = 42.1% percent.

                                          Table 13--Break-Even Analysis
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Monetized loss due
 Cost of the proposed rule (annualized     to casualties       Required risk    Frequency of  casualties avoided
                at 7%)                       (annual)            reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$8,419,161............................        $20,020,000               42.1%   1 every 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other provisions of this rule offer benefits as mentioned in Table 
5. Although we cannot quantify benefits for these provisions, we 
believe that there will be benefits associated with these provisions, 
such as improved awareness of contact information in the event of a 
crime, as listed in the security guides.
Discussion of Alternatives
    Because the majority of the proposed provisions are current 
industry practice, we do not present alternatives to the performance-
based requirements for rail heights, video recording, or sexual assault 
preparedness. We are able to present alternatives based on the fall-
overboard, training and security guides requirements. Table 14 
describes these alternatives.

                                        Table 14--Regulatory Alternatives
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Annualized cost
                                                  Description                  10-Year cost           (7%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM Alternative...................  Includes requirements for rail               $79,077,728         $8,419,161
                                      heights, locks for new vessels, fall-
                                      overboard capture, crime scene
                                      preservation refresher training
                                      every three years, security
                                      guidelines to be placed in every
                                      stateroom, outline of crew access,
                                      and logs of crime reports.
Alternative 2......................  Same rail height and fall-overboard           71,650,215          7,594,093
                                      requirements as NPRM Alternative, no
                                      requirement for refresher training,
                                      and no requirement for security
                                      guides to be placed in staterooms.
Alternative 3......................  Requires redundant camera coverage of        227,635,928         27,343,787
                                      entire vessel for fall-overboard
                                      system, video retention of 1 month,
                                      annual refresher training for crime
                                      scene preservation, and the same
                                      security guides requirements as the
                                      NPRM Alternative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NPRM Alternative--Fall-overboard detection or capture, crime scene 
preservation refresher training no less than every three years, and 
security guides to be placed in all staterooms:
    The analysis for this alternative is discussed in detail previously 
in the regulatory analysis section of this NPRM, as it is the proposed 
alternative.
    Alternative 2--Less Stringent Alternative--Reduce burden associated 
with training and security guides:
    This alternative would include the same fall-overboard requirements 
as the NPRM Alternative, but would not include requirements for 
refresher training every 2 years or for security guides to be placed in 
every stateroom. For this alternative, we remove the requirement for 
refresher training, which reduces the burden on industry. We also 
remove the requirement for security guides in every stateroom, rather, 
allowing online only posting of the security guides. This also reduces 
the burden. This alternative would have a 10-year cost of $53.3 
million, discounted at 7 percent and an annualized cost of $7.6 
million, discounted at 7 percent. Table 15 provides the undiscounted, 
10-year breakdown of costs, by provision, to comply with this 
alternative.

[[Page 2365]]

                                                              Table 15--Alternative 2 Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Video                                           Security
              Rail heights                     Locks         Overboard     retention   Training    Addendum      Logs         guides           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$134,281................................      $3,312,000     $15,961,750      $1,876          $0     $31,206      $3,776              $0     $19,444,890
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000      15,961,750       1,876           0           0       3,776               0      19,279,403
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
0.......................................       3,312,000         798,088       1,876           0           0       3,776               0       4,115,740
134,281.................................      33,120,000      38,308,200      18,765           0      31,206      37,763               0      71,650,215
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We rejected this alternative because we felt that it does not 
provide sufficient training for crime-scene preservation due to 
advancements in the field and also because of the relative infrequency 
of crime on board cruise vessels. The Coast Guard believes that 
refresher training is necessary for vessel personnel to maintain the 
necessary skills. Furthermore, the Coast Guard believes that the only 
way to ensure that all passengers have the pertinent security 
information readily available when on board a vessel is to have the 
information in each stateroom, rather than only available online or in 
public areas of the vessel.
    Alternative 3--More Stringent Alternative--Increases requirements 
for training and fall-overboard systems:
    This alternative would require a fall-overboard system that would 
include overlapping fields of view for all areas of the vessel, 
providing greater coverage and redundancy. It would require additional 
video retention for the existing coverage as well as coverage for 
additional cameras, as needed. Based on input from industry, the cost 
to retain an additional 2 week worth of video would range from $400,000 
to $600,000 per ship. They would need to install additional storage for 
the 2 incremental weeks, plus an incremental amount ($250,000) to cover 
the redundant cameras.\48\ It would also require the same annual 
refresher training for crime-scene preservation. The security guides 
requirement would remain the same as the NPRM alternative. This 
alternative would have a 10-year cost of $227.6 million and an 
annualized cost of $27.3 million, discounted at 7 percent. Table 16 
provides the 10-year, undiscounted cost to comply with this 
alternative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ $500,000 for a 2-week increment + $250,000 for redundancy = 
$750,000 per ship to install additional video retention.

                                                              Table 16--Alternative 3 Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Video                                             Security
            Rail Heights                   Locks         Overboard       retention     Training    Addendum      Logs         guides           Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$134,281............................      $3,312,000     $31,923,500    $110,251,876    $362,749     $31,206      $3,776      $2,620,705    $148,640,094
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000      31,923,500           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035      35,734,937
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
0...................................       3,312,000       1,596,175           1,876     362,749           0       3,776         131,035       5,407,612
134,281.............................      33,120,000      76,616,400     110,268,765   3,627,490      31,206      37,763       3,800,023     227,635,928
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Coast Guard rejects this alternative because it would impose an 
unnecessary burden on industry. The performance-based approach to fall-
overboard systems proposed in this NPRM would provide a sufficient 
level of coverage without the more stringent and costly requirements.
Video Retention Alternatives
    We considered various alternatives to complying with the video 
retention requirements. Currently, industry retains footage for 14 
days. Retaining video footage for an additional 2 weeks would require 
cruise vessels to incur a cost of $73.5 million in the first year and 
$367.5 million for the industry to retain video footage for 90 days. 
These durations were selected based on input from victim advocacy 
groups. Table 17 provides the cost comparison at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 
90 days.

[[Page 2366]]

                                                       Table 17--Cost Comparison for Video Footage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Percent capture         Incremental                                             Incremental cost
                   Retention rate                       rate of crimes      difference  (from 2         Cost         Annualized  (7%)         \50\
                                                         reported \49\            weeks)           (undiscounted)                        (undiscounted)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 weeks (proposed Alternative).....................               90.1     ....................                 $0                 $0                 $0
4 weeks (30 days)..................................               91.5                   1.4%           73,518,765         10,467,418         73,518,765
90 days............................................               97.2                   7.0           367,518,765         24,859,898         73,503,753
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The longer video footage is retained, the more incidents are 
available in video storage after a crime has been reported. At the 
current industry practice of 2 weeks of storage, 90 percent of the 
reported crimes would be available in video storage at no cost to 
industry. If an additional 2 weeks of video retention is required (to 
30 days total), an additional 1.4 percent of reported crimes would be 
available in storage at an additional 10-year undiscounted cost of 
$73.5 million. If 90 days of storage is required, an additional 7 
percent of reported crimes would be available in storage (although 3 
percent would remain uncaptured) at a 10-year undiscounted cost of 
$367.5 million. We selected the cost minimizing alternative of 
requiring 2 weeks of video retention, as most incidents (90 percent) 
are reported within 2 weeks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ Based on information provided by CLIA.
    \50\ The incremental cost is calculated by taking the 
undiscounted cost and dividing it by the incremental difference 
between capture rates. For example, at 4 weeks the incremental cost 
= $73.5 million (undiscounted cost) / 1 (incremental difference from 
2 weeks).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

OMB A-4 Accounting Statement
    This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is not expected to exceed the 
threshold for economic significance under section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review. In accordance with OMB 
Circular A-4 (available at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/), we have 
prepared a preliminary accounting statement showing the classification 
of impacts associated with the rulemaking.
Agency/Program Office: U.S. Coast Guard
Rule Title: Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Facilities NPRM
RIN#: 1625-AB91
Date: July 2013

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category                          Primary estimate
                                  Minimum estimate
                                    High estimate        Source
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Benefits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized monetized benefits   None ................................................             RA
 ($ Mil).
Annualized quantified, but      None ................................................             RA
 unmonetized, benefits.
Unquantifiable Benefits.......  Clarification of rail height requirements by aligning regulation  RA
                                with statutory language.
                                Enhanced ability to determine if and when a person went
                                overboard.
                                Potential to reduce search and rescue costs by reducing search
                                area.
                                Clarification of hailing or warning devices requirement by
                                aligning regulation with statutory language.
                                Improved criminal investigation and recordkeeping.
                                Potential deterrent affect.
                                Clarification of sexual assault medical equipment requirements
                                by aligning regulation with statutory language.
                                Enhanced awareness of security contacts, in case of an
                                emergency.
                                Ensure that personnel are trained appropriately in crime scene
                                preservation, thereby improving criminal investigation and
                                recordkeeping.
                                Ensure that vessel crew members are limited in their access to
                                passenger staterooms.
                                Clarifies that crewmembers respect the privacy of passengers and
                                the security of their staterooms.
                                Improved recordkeeping.
                                Enhanced transparency to the public of crimes reported.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Costs *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized monetized costs ($        $8.4         7%  .........         7%  .........         7%  RA
 Mil) *.
                                     $8.1         3%  .........         3%  .........         3%  RA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized quantified, but      None.
 unmonetized, costs.
Qualitative (un-quantified)     None.
 costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Transfers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized monetized            None.
 transfers: ``on budget''.
From whom to whom?............  None.
Annualized monetized            None.
 transfers: ``off-budget''.
From whom to whom?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2367]]

 
                                         Miscellaneous Analyses/Category
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effects on State, local, and/   None.
 or tribal governments.
Effects on small businesses...  We do not expect the rulemaking to have a significant impact on   RA
                                a substantial number of small businesses.
Effects on wages..............  Not determined.
Effects on growth.............  Not determined.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: Annualized cost on US entities: $4.0 million discounted at 7% and $3.8 million at 3%.
Annualized cost on foreign entities: $4.4 million discounted at 7% and 4.2 million at 3%.

B. Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, we have 
considered whether this proposed rule would have 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 fewer than 
50,000.
    We used managing owner and operator contact information from the 
Coast Guard MISLE data in 2011 to research public and proprietary 
business databases for entity ownership status (subsidiary, parent 
company, government entity, etc.), employee size, and revenue, among 
other information. By using the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s 
size standards and the North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) code classifications, we are able to determine whether a 
business is small or not. The SBA provides business size standards for 
all sectors of the NAICS. We found that of the 23 entities that own or 
operate cruise ships and would be affected by this proposed rulemaking, 
11 are foreign entities. Of the remaining 12, all entities exceed the 
SBA size standards for small businesses. Table 18 provides the 
breakdown of businesses by size.

       Table 18--Number of Entities Impacted by the Proposed Rule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Entities                        Number    Percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Businesses that Exceed SBA Standards............         11           48
Foreign owned entities..........................         12           52
Small Businesses with revenue data..............  .........            0
Unknown, assumed Small Business \1\.............  .........            0
                                                 -----------------------
    Total.......................................         23          100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Revenue information on these 26 were not available, which are then
  considered to be small.

    Entities are categorized by the NAICS codes.\51\ By using SBA 
criteria for small businesses, the associated NAICS codes, and the 2007 
United States Economic Census data,\52\ Table 14 provides the top 5 
NAICS Codes of the identified small businesses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ Small business information can be accessed online at http://www.sba.gov/size/indextableofsize.html.
    \52\ U.S. Census Bureau information can be accessed online at 
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ECN&_tabId=ECN1&_submenuId=datasets_4&_lang=en&_ts=246366688395.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We expect entities affected by the rule would be classified under 
the NAICS code subsector 483-Water Transportation, which includes the 
following six-digit NAICS codes for cruise lines: 483112-Deep Sea 
Passenger Transportation and 483114-Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger 
Transportation.
    According to the SBA's Table of Small Business Size Standards,\53\ 
a U.S. company with these NAICS codes and employing equal to or fewer 
than 500 employees is a small business. Additionally, cruise lines may 
fall under the NAICS code 561510-Travel Agencies, which have a small 
business size standard of equal to or less than $3,500,000 in annual 
revenue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ Source: http://www.sba.gov/size. SBA has established a 
Table of Small Business Size Standards, which is matched to the 
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industries. A 
size standard, which is usually stated in number of employees or 
average annual receipts (``revenues''), represents the largest size 
that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be 
to remain classified as a small business for SBA and Federal 
contracting programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We did not find any small not-for-profit organizations that are 
independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields. 
We did not find any small governmental jurisdictions with populations 
of fewer than 50,000 people. Based on this analysis, we found that this 
rulemaking, if promulgated, will not affect a substantial number of 
small entities. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 
605(b) that this proposed rule, if promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of U.S. small 
entities. If you think that a business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule 
will have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment 
to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. In 
your comment, explain why you think it qualifies as a small entity and 
how and to what degree this proposed rule will economically affect it.

C. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the 
proposed rule would affect your small business, organization, or 
governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its 
provisions or options for compliance, please consult the person named 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The Coast Guard will not 
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this 
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

D. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for new collections of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. As 
defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(c), ``collection of information'' comprises 
reporting, recordkeeping, monitoring, posting, labeling, and other 
similar actions. The title and description of the information 
collection, a description of those who must collect the information, 
and an estimate of the total annual burden

[[Page 2368]]

follow. The estimate covers the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing sources of data, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection.
    Title: Cruise Vessel Security and Safety.
    OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: Cruise vessels subject to 
the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 would be required to 
record and maintain video surveillance data of public areas of the 
vessel and any fall overboard image capture or alleged crime records 
for at least 120 days after the completion of a voyage in the event of 
an incident, as well as maintain a log of such crimes. Furthermore, 
there is a one-time cost for cruise vessels to draft procedure and 
restrictions on crewmember access to staterooms.
    Need for Information: The video surveillance information and 
logging of incidents are necessary to assist in criminal investigations 
for alleged crimes on board cruise vessels. Fall overboard detection or 
image capture is necessary to assist in investigation of such 
incidents. The requirement that procedures and restrictions for crew 
access to passenger staterooms be established, implemented, documented, 
and periodically reviewed, is a non-substantive paraphrase of the 
statutory requirement, 46 U.S.C. 3507(f). The Coast Guard has not 
modified that requirement in any way. Stateroom-access procedures and 
restrictions protect the privacy of cruise vessel passengers and the 
security of their staterooms.
    Proposed Use of Information: Appropriate law enforcement agencies 
would use this information to assist in criminal investigations when 
necessary. Cruise vessel operators would use stateroom-access 
procedures and restrictions to ensure that vessel crew members are 
limited in their access to passenger staterooms, and respect the 
privacy of passengers and the security of their staterooms. The Coast 
Guard would enforce the statutory requirement by verifying, during 
vessel inspections or examinations that those procedures are in place 
to comply with the statute.
    Description of the Respondents: The respondents are any passenger 
vessel that is authorized to carry and has onboard sleeping facilities 
for at least 250 passengers, that is not engaged in a coastwise voyage, 
and that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States.
    Number of Respondents: The number of respondents is 147 affected 
cruise vessels.
    Frequency of Response: Cruise lines would need to retain video 
footage and a log of such events in the event of a reported incident. 
This would occur as part of their standard operation procedure. Cruise 
lines would also need to provide a one-time response regarding 
crewmember access to staterooms.
    Burden of Response: The estimated burden for each response would be 
0.5 hours to retain video surveillance, 1 hour to write a log and 
report the incident, 20 hours per company to draft an addendum or memo, 
and 1 hour for each vessel to modify the addendum or memo to tailor it 
to the ships' specificity.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden: We estimate an annual industry 
total of 73 incidents for video surveillance, logs of such incidents, 
and fall-overboard systems. We estimate that it takes 0.5 hours for a 
VSO to file or store video footage of a reported incident and it takes 
1 hour to write and report an incident. Based on the wage rate for a 
VSO ($51.41), we estimate the annual burden cost to be $5,629 to 
collect video footage and log the reported incident. The estimated one-
time burden of response for cruise lines to draft an addendum or memo 
regarding crewmember access to staterooms is 607 hours. Based on the 
wage rate for a VSO, we estimate that one-time cost to be $31,206. This 
makes the total hourly burden 717, for a total cost of $36,835.
    We ask for public comment on the proposed collection of information 
to help us determine how useful the information is; whether it can help 
us perform our functions better; whether it is readily available 
elsewhere; how accurate our estimate of the burden of collection is; 
how valid our methods for determining burden are; how we can improve 
the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information; and how we can 
minimize the burden of collection.
    If you submit comments on the collection of information, submit 
them both to OMB and to the Docket Management Facility where indicated 
under ADDRESSES, by the date under DATES.
    You need not respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid control number from OMB. Before the 
requirements for this collection of information become effective, we 
will publish a notice in the Federal Register of OMB's decision to 
approve, modify, or disapprove the proposed collection.

E. Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the 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 proposed rule under that Order and 
have determined that it does not have implications for federalism. A 
summary of our analysis is provided below.
    It is well settled that States may not regulate in categories 
reserved for regulation by the Coast Guard. It is also well settled, 
now, 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) 
are within the fields foreclosed from regulation by the States. (See 
the decision of the Supreme Court in the consolidated cases of United 
States v. Locke and Intertanko v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89, 120 S.Ct. 1135 
(March 6, 2000).). These regulations implement safety and security 
features on board certain inspected passenger vessels, specifically 
with regard to vessel design, construction, operation, and equipment 
requirements. Because States may not promulgate rules within these 
categories, there are no implications for federalism under Executive 
Order 13132.

F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    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. Though this proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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.

[[Page 2369]]

I. Protection of Children

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

J. Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would 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 proposed 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.

L. Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, 15 U.S.C. 272 
note, directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their 
regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the 
Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these 
standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards 
(e.g., 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 proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

M. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland 
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, 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 
preliminary 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 preliminary environmental analysis 
checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket 
where indicated under the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' section of this preamble. This rule involves regulations 
concerning the training of maritime personnel, the equipping of 
vessels, and vessel operation safety equipment. Thus, this rule is 
likely to be categorically excluded under section 2.B.2, figure 2-1, 
paragraph (34)(c) and (d) of the Instruction, as well as under 
categorical exclusion 6(a) as listed in the Coast Guard's notice of 
July 23, 2002 (67 FR 48243 at 48245). We seek any comments or 
information that may lead to the discovery of a significant 
environmental impact from this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 70

    Marine safety; Passenger vessels; Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 46 CFR part 70 as follows:

TITLE 46--SHIPPING

0
1. The authority citation for part 70 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3507, 3703; Pub. L. 103-206, 
107 Stat. 2439; 49 U.S.C. 5103, 5106; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 
CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1, para. II (92.a), (92.b); Section 70.01-15 also issued 
under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

0
2. In Sec.  70.05-3, add paragraph (g) to read as follows:

Sec.  70.05-3  Foreign vessels subject to the requirements of this 
subchapter.

* * * * *
    (g) Notwithstanding the exceptions noted in paragraph (b) of this 
section, each foreign vessel to which 46 U.S.C. 3507 applies must 
comply with subpart 70.40 of this part.
0
3. Add subpart 70.40 to read as follows:
Subpart 70.40--Cruise Vessel Security and Safety
Sec.
70.40-1 Applicability; definition; penalties.
70.40-2 Statutory requirements.
70.40-3 and 70.40-4 [Reserved]
70.40-5 Rail or bulwark height.
70.40-6 Fall-overboard incidents.
70.40-7 Hailing or warning devices.
70.40-8 Video recording.
70.40-9 Security guides and embassy information.
70.40-10 Sexual assault response.
70.40-11 Training.

Subpart 70.40--Cruise Vessel Security and Safety

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3507(j); Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 0170.1(92.a), (92)(b).

Sec.  70.40-1  Applicability; definition; penalties.

    (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of 46 CFR 70.05-3(b), this 
subpart applies to the owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or 
other individual in charge of each passenger vessel, whether U.S.- or 
foreign-flagged, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(22), that--
    (1) Is authorized to carry at least 250 passengers;
    (2) Has onboard sleeping facilities for each passenger;
    (3) Is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the 
United States, except that embarking and disembarking does not include 
temporary port calls by passengers;
    (4) Is not engaged on a coastwise voyage; and
    (5) Is neither a vessel of the United States operated by the 
Federal government nor a vessel owned and operated by a State.
    (b) As used in this subpart, ``owner'' means the owner, charterer, 
managing operator, master, or other individual in charge of a vessel.
    (c) Failure to comply with this subpart is subject to the civil and 
criminal penalties provided by 46 U.S.C. 3507 and 3508, and may result 
in a vessel's being denied entry into the United States.

Sec.  70.40-2  Statutory requirements.

    In addition to the regulatory requirements of this subpart, the 
owner, charterer, managing operator, master, or other individual in 
charge of each passenger vessel to which this subpart applies is also 
subject to the following requirements of 46 U.S.C. 3507:
    (a) Each passenger stateroom and crew cabin must be equipped with 
entry doors that include peep holes or other means of visual 
identification, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(B);
    (b) For any vessel the keel of which is laid after July 27, 2010, 
each passenger stateroom and crew cabin must be equipped with security 
latches and time-sensitive key technology, but neither the latches nor 
the time-sensitive key technology may prevent emergency responders from 
taking appropriate emergency action to enter a stateroom or cabin in 
the event of fire

[[Page 2370]]

or other emergency, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(C) and 
(a)(2);
    (c) The confidentiality of sexual assault examination and support 
information must be protected in accordance with the detailed 
provisions of 46 U.S.C. 3507(e);
    (d) Procedures and restrictions for crew access to passenger 
staterooms must be established, implemented, documented, and 
periodically reviewed in accordance with the detailed provisions of 46 
U.S.C. 3507(f); and
    (e) Complaints of crimes must be logged and made available to Coast 
Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or other law enforcement 
personnel, and crimes and other information must be reported, in 
accordance with the detailed provisions of 46 U.S.C. 3507(g).

Sec. Sec.  70.40-3 and 70.40-4   [Reserved]

Sec.  70.40-5  Rail or bulwark height.

    (a) The height of each guard rail or bulwark on any exterior deck 
to which passengers have general access must be at least 42 inches 
above the deck.
    (b) The Coast Guard may accept alternative arrangements where the 
42-inch height requirement would interfere with the operation of 
lifesaving equipment or arrangements.

Sec.  70.40-6  Fall-overboard incidents.

    (a) Each vessel must maintain either--
    (1) A recording system for capturing an image of any person falling 
overboard from the vessel into the sea (a ``fall-overboard''); or
    (2) A detection system for immediately detecting any fall-overboard 
and sounding an alarm in a manned location; or
    (3) A combination of recording and detecting systems.
    (b) Video, data, and images (``records'') created by a recording 
system must be--
    (1) Time and date-stamped;
    (2) Kept for the entire voyage and at least 7 days after all 
passengers disembark; provided that if, during that time, the vessel 
receives a report of a fall overboard during the voyage, the records 
must be kept for an additional 120 days after receipt of the report; 
and
    (3) Made available on request to any search and rescue or law 
enforcement official investigating a fall overboard.

Sec.  70.40-7  Hailing or warning devices.

    Each vessel must be equipped with acoustic hailing or other devices 
to provide communication capability around the entire vessel.

Sec.  70.40-8  Video recording.

    (a) This section applies to any alleged incident involving a U.S. 
national as either an alleged victim or alleged perpetrator, regardless 
of whether committed in or outside U.S. waters, which if committed in 
U.S. waters would be a crime.
    (b) Each vessel must maintain a system, in areas of the vessel to 
which passengers and crew members have common access and excluding 
passenger staterooms and crew cabins, to record an identifiable time 
and date-stamped image of any person involved in an incident to which 
this section applies. The system must be maintained in a secure 
location to prevent unauthorized access or tampering.
    (c) Recorded images must be kept for the entire voyage and at least 
7 days after all passengers disembark; provided that if, during that 
time, the vessel receives a report of an incident to which this section 
applies, the recorded images from that voyage must be kept for an 
additional 120 days after receipt of the report.
    (d) Recorded images must also be maintained in a secure location to 
prevent unauthorized access or tampering.
    (e) Recorded images must be made available on request to any law 
enforcement official investigating an incident to which this section 
applies.

Sec.  70.40-9  Security guides and embassy information.

    Prior to each voyage, the vessel owner or operator must ensure 
that--
    (a) A copy of a security guide containing the medical and security 
personnel information required by 46 U.S.C. 3507(c)(1)(A)(i) and the 
jurisdictional and procedural information required by 46 U.S.C. 
3507(c)(1)(A)(ii) has been provided to the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation for comment and is placed in each passenger stateroom; 
and
    (b) The embassy and consulate information required by 46 U.S.C. 
3507(c)(2) has been provided in each passenger stateroom and in a 
location readily accessible to all crew members.

Sec.  70.40-10  Sexual assault response.

    (a) A vessel complies with the requirements of 46 U.S.C. 3507(d)(1) 
and (2) if it has on board a supply of the medications required by that 
statute that is enough for the expected length of the voyage and for 
the number of patients required by paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) The number of patients described in paragraph (a) of this 
section must be the greater of--
    (1) Two patients; or
    (2) The highest number of sexual assaults alleged on any single 
voyage of any cruise vessel owned by the owner in the past 3 years.
    (c) Any crew member who interviews an alleged sexual assault victim 
must have been trained to communicate appropriately with a trauma 
victim.

Sec.  70.40-11  Training.

    (a) A vessel complies with the requirements of 46 U.S.C. 3508(c) if 
at least one crewmember on the vessel is certified by a certified 
training provider as having successfully completed, within the past 2 
years, training that includes topics covering the following 
competences:
    (1) Security and safety requirements aboard cruise vessels;
    (2) Current safety and security threats and patterns;
    (3) Cruise vessel characteristics and conditions where criminal 
activities are likely to occur;
    (4) Cruise vessel security equipment and systems;
    (5) Criminal incident procedures and plans;
    (6) Crime scene preservation, gathering evidence and chain of 
custody;
    (7) Requirements for reporting and documenting serious crimes;
    (8) Protection and proper handling of confidential, personally 
identifiable, sensitive security, or other information and 
communications;
    (9) Law enforcement response to criminal activity; and
    (10) Required support to be provided to law enforcement and 
prosecutors.
    (b) For the purpose of complying with paragraph (a) if this 
section, a certified training provider is one who certifies those who 
successfully complete training in accordance with paragraph (a) of this 
section and who--
    (1) Certifies that the training provided by the provider meets or 
exceeds the criteria contained in the Coast Guard model course 
available from the Coast Guard at [URL]; or
    (2) Is certified as a training provider by the Administrator of the 
Maritime Administration in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 3508(a) and 
paragraph (a) of this section.

    Dated: January 6, 2015.
Paul F. Zukunft,
Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant.
[FR Doc. 2015-00464 Filed 1-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P