46 CFR 153.1100 - Responsibility of the person in charge.

The Coast Guard proposes additional updates and revisions to regulatory tables that were amended by an interim rule published in August 2013. The tables list liquid hazardous materials, liquefied gases, and compressed gases approved for maritime transportation in bulk, and indicate how each cargo is categorized by its pollution risk and safe carriage requirements. These proposals would correct errors in the interim rule and bring the tables current through December 2013. Updated information is of value to shippers and to the owners and operators of U.S.-flag tank and bulk cargo vessels in any waters, and most foreign-flag tank and oceangoing bulk cargo vessels in U.S. waters. The proposed rule promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship (environmental protection) missions.

The Coast Guard announces an additional two-year delay of the effective date of its 2013 interim rule, which updates and revises tables that list liquid hazardous materials, liquefied gases, and compressed gases that have been approved by the Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization for maritime transportation in bulk. These tables also indicate how the pollution potential of each substance has been categorized. The Coast Guard received comments to our 2013 interim rule regarding technical errors in the revised tables and is working to correct those errors. The additional delay will allow the Coast Guard to complete its work to correct technical errors and solicit additional comments in a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, prior to finalizing the rule. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship missions.

The Coast Guard is issuing a final rule that makes non-substantive changes throughout Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this rule is to make conforming amendments and technical corrections to Coast Guard regulations. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public. These changes are provided to coincide with the annual recodification of Titles 46 and 49 on October 1, 2014.

The Coast Guard announces the additional delay of the effective date of this interim rule from January 16, 2014, to January 16, 2015. The delay until 2015 will allow the Coast Guard to investigate and, if necessary, correct technical errors that were brought to the Coast Guard's attention by public comments on the interim rule.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of a proposed policy letter concerning the carriage of shale gas extraction waste water in bulk via barge, and invites public comment. The policy letter specifies the conditions under which a barge owner may request and be granted a Certificate of Inspection endorsement or letter allowing the barge to transport shale gas extraction waste water in bulk. The policy letter also defines the information the Coast Guard may require the barge owner to provide and specifies the additional requirements the Coast Guard is considering imposing on such barges. Upon reviewing comments received on this proposed policy letter, Coast Guard will issue the final policy letter and specify its effective date.

The Coast Guard is issuing a final rule that makes non-substantive changes throughout titles 46 and 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this rule is to make conforming amendments and technical corrections to Coast Guard shipping and transportation regulations. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public. These changes are provided to coincide with the annual recodification of titles 46 and 49 on October 1, 2013.

The Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of this interim rule by four months, to give the public additional time in advance of implementing the interim rule. The interim rule updates and revises regulatory tables that list liquid hazardous materials, liquefied gases, and compressed gases that have been approved for maritime transportation in bulk, and that indicate how each substance's pollution potential has been categorized. The interim rule provides new information about approved substances and their categorizations, but would not change which substances are approved or how each substance is categorized. Updated information is of value to shippers and to the owners and operators of U.S.-flag tank and bulk cargo vessels in any waters and most foreign-flag tank and oceangoing bulk cargo vessels in U.S. waters. This interim rule promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship missions.

The Coast Guard is updating and revising regulatory tables that list liquid hazardous materials, liquefied gases, and compressed gases that have been approved for maritime transportation in bulk, and that indicate how each substance's pollution potential has been categorized. The interim rule provides new information about approved substances and their categorizations, but would not make any changes in which substances are approved or how each substance is categorized. Updated information is of value to shippers and to the owners and operators of U.S.-flag tank and bulk cargo vessels in any waters and most foreign-flag tank and oceangoing bulk cargo vessels in U.S. waters. This interim rule promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and stewardship missions.

Many of the Coast Guard's regulations incorporate by reference consensus standards that are developed by organizations other than the Coast Guard. This final rule updates references to standards developed by ASTM International, that have been reapproved, without change, since their incorporation into Coast Guard regulation. This rule does not address standards that have changed substantively, and it will not have any substantive impact on the regulated public.