Coast Guard seeks comments on same-old research vessel paperwork
Published Date: 4/8/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking for a 30-day public comment period to extend approval for collecting info from oceanographic research vessels—no changes to the current process. This affects researchers and vessel operators who need to apply for special designations or exemptions. Comments are due by May 8, 2025, and there’s no new cost or paperwork increase planned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Information Enables ORV Exemptions
Under 46 U.S.C. 2113, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security may exempt Oceanographic Research Vessels from certain provisions of subtitle II of title 46. The Coast Guard uses the submitted vessel information to determine whether a vessel qualifies for designation as an ORV and for possible exemptions under those regulations.
Paperwork to Get ORV Designation
If you own or operate a vessel seeking designation as an Oceanographic Research Vessel (ORV), you must submit specific vessel information to the U.S. Coast Guard under OMB Control Number 1625-0014 so the vessel can be evaluated under 46 CFR part 3 and 46 CFR part 14, subpart D. The collection is submitted "on occasion," there are no Coast Guard forms, and the current estimated annual hour burden for this collection is 37 hours.
Slight Increase in Annual Burden Estimate
The Coast Guard reports the estimated annual hour burden for this information collection increased from 36 hours to 37 hours per year due to an increase in the estimated annual number of respondents. This change reflects a one-hour increase in the total estimated annual paperwork burden.
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Key Dates
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