Proposed Rules. Request for comments

Agency: Coast Guard, DOT
Action: Request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 01-434 · USCG-2001-8602 · 46 CFR 110, 111

Summary

The Coast Guard is considering requests to allow merchant vessels to use shipboard cable constructed to meet the requirements in Clause 8 (Cable Construction), Clause 9 (Cable Application), and Clause 10 (Cable Installation) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 45, Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard-1998 edition. The 1998 edition changes the testing requirements for marine shipboard electrical cable from those in the 1983 edition. It also requires third party verification. The Coast Guard requests comments concerning which edition (the 1983 edition, the 1998 edition, or both) should be incorporated by reference.

Dates

Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before March 9, 2001.

Supplementary Information

Request for Comments If you submit written comments, please include your name and address, and identify the docket number for this rulemaking [USCG-2001-8602] and the reason for each comment. You may submit your comments and material by mail, delivery, fax, or electronic means to the Docket Management Facility at the address under ADDRESSES; but please submit your comments and material by only one means. Please submit all comments and material in an unbound format, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing to the Facility at the address under ADDRESSES. If you want acknowledgement of receipt of your comments, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. The Coast Guard will consider all comments and materials received during the comment period. Background and Purpose On February 8, 2000, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register (65 FR 6111). In this rulemaking the Coast Guard proposed to amend its electrical engineering regulations for merchant vessels by adding alternative cable standards that were equivalent to the existing standards. IEEE Std 45, 1998 edition was not included in that rulemaking as an alternative standard. In the comment process of that notice we received numerous requests from industry to recognize marine shipboard electrical cable that is constructed to IEEE Std. 45-1998 edition. We presently recognize cable constructed to the IEEE Std. 45-1983 edition. The 1998 edition of IEEE Std. 45 changes the testing requirements for marine shipboard electrical cable, and it also requires third party verification. We recognize that there are types of cable found in IEEE Std. 45-1998, that are not found in IEEE Std. 45-1983. The Coast Guard seeks comments regarding the following three proposals: 1. The Coast Guard should not recognize IEEE Std. 45-1998 edition. 2. The Coast Guard should recognize IEEE Std. 45-1998 edition and should remove the reference to the 1983 edition. 3. The Coast Guard should recognize IEEE Std. 45-1998 edition and should leave the reference to the 1983 edition. The Coast Guard encourages the public to submit comments on the above three proposals. Dated: December 27, 2000. Joseph J. Angelo, Director of Standards. [FR Doc. 01-434 Filed 1-5-01; 8:45 am]