The following is the summary of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(WASHINGTON) — The Coast Guard proposes to amend the monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty, and for reporting a type of marine casualty called a “serious marine incident” (SMI). The initial regulations setting these dollar threshold amounts were promulgated in the early 1980s and they have not been updated. Because the monetary thresholds for reporting have not kept pace with inflation, relatively minor casualties must be reported. Additionally, the regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing following an SMI; consequently, testing is being conducted for casualties that are less significant than those intended to be captured by the original regulations. Updating the regulations will reduce the burden on vessel owners and operators, and will also reduce the amount of Coast Guard resources expended to investigate these incidents.
Comments and related material must be submitted to the online docket via http://www.regulations.gov, or reach the Docket Management Facility, on or before March 24, 2017.
Comments sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on collection of information must reach OMB on or before March 24, 2017.
Email (preferred) — oira_submission@omb.eop.gov (include the docket number and “ATTN: Desk Officer for Coast Guard, DHS” in the subject line of the email).
Fax — (202) 395-6566.
Mail — 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."
Click here to read the complete NPRM.
