1625-0031
Supporting
Statement
for
Plan Approval and Records for Electrical
Engineering
Regulations -- Title 46 CFR Subchapter J
A. Justification.
1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
These regulations contain the primary standards for the review of electrical installations on all new U.S. Coast Guard certificated vessels except small passenger vessels. Recent amendments to the regulations clarify the regulations, bring them up to date, and delete unnecessary requirements. The revisions to Subchapter J reduced the reliance on domestic standards and adopted SOLAS and other international standards developed through consensus by the international maritime community. The information collection requirements described in this supporting statement are necessary to implement the regulations in 46 CFR Parts 110 through 113.
The Coast Guard requires industry complete electrical engineering plans to meet performance requirements on new-built vessels. These requirements help resolve much of the confusion during inspections that has risen due to the varying special missions of modern merchant vessels.
The collection of information is needed to demonstrate that certain specific regulations implement the international requirements. The requirements generally reflect routine practices for U.S. merchant companies.
This information collection supports the following strategic goals:
Prevention
Protection
Maritime Safety
Maritime Stewardship
Prevention Directorate (CG-3P)
Safety: Eliminate deaths, injuries, and property damage associated with commercial maritime operations.
Human and Natural Environment: Eliminate environmental damage associated with maritime transportation and operations on and around the nation’s waterways.
2. By whom, how and for what purpose the information is to be used.
The purpose of the information collection is to ensure compliance with electrical safety regulations. Through the review of the plans prior to construction, the vessel owner or builder may be assured that the vessel, if built in accordance with the plans, will meet regulatory standards.
3. Considerations of the use of improved information technology.
We estimate that 100% of the reporting requirements can be done electronically. At this time, we estimate that approximately 15% of the responses are collected electronically. The information may be e-mailed to the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center (MSC) at the following link MSC@uscg.mil. Amplifying information on this capability may be found at the MSC pages on the Coast Guard’s “Homeport” internet portal, at the following link: http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do.
4. Efforts to identify duplication. Why similar information cannot be used.
There is no State or local regulations relating to this issue. No similar information collection is conducted by other federal agencies. Similar information does not exist.
5. Methods to minimize the burden to small businesses if involved.
Electrical plans are necessary for the safety of the vessel and its personnel. The required submissions are the minimum consistent with this objective. Furthermore, the time dedicated to the submission is minimal. Therefore, this collection of information will not significantly affect small businesses.
6. Consequences to the Federal program if collection were conducted less frequently.
The information cannot be collected any less frequently because the information is submitted only when the owner seeks Coast Guard approval of ship design or modification.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause the information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with guidelines.
Information is collected in manner that is consistent with the guidelines.
8. Consultation.
A 60 day Notice was published in the Federal Register to obtain public comment on this collection. (See [USCG-2007-0045], November 15, 2007 72 FR 64233) The USCG has not received any comments on this information collection.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents.
No payments or gifts of any kind are provided to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents.
When requested, confidentiality is promised for information exempt from the mandatory public disclosure requirements of Freedom of Information Act, or when the information is a trade secret.
11. Additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.
There are no issues of a sensitive nature involved in this information collection.
12. Estimates of reporting and recordkeeping hour and cost burdens of the collection of information.
The estimated annual number of respondents is 138.
The estimated annual number of responses is 3,529.
The estimated annual hour burden is 3,529 hours.
The estimated annual cost burden is $275,262.
The burden of information submission is not an annual requirement. This information must be supplied to the Coast Guard only upon ship construction or modification. Plan development is not performed to meet information collection requirements, but rather in order to develop the plans necessary to build or modify the vessel. The actual hour burden solely due to information collection would be that time necessary to print and mail their copy of the plans and drawings to submit to the Coast Guard, which is one hour.
The average annual number of respondents is 138 respondents. Given that one respondent typically submits more than one plan each year; the annual number of submissions is 3,529. Furthermore, approximately one hour is required to complete each submission.
Under these assumptions, the annual hour and cost burdens to respondents are the following:
Hour Burden: 3,529 hours = (1 hour/submission) (3,529 submissions)
Cost Burden: $275,262 = ($78/hour)1 (3,529 hours)
13. Estimates of annualized capital and start-up costs.
There are no annualized capital and start-up costs.
14. Estimates of annualized Federal Government costs.
Government costs are accumulated from the examining and reporting of electrical engineering submissions. The electrical plan reviews are conducted at the MSC and require approximately 7 hours for review. Furthermore, an individual at the Lieutenant level or at the GS-132 level performs these reviews, with an hourly rate ranging between $62 and $66.
Therefore, the annual hour burden to the Federal Government is 24,703 hours [3,529 reviews 7 hours/review]. The annual cost burden to the Federal Government is $1,580,992 [3,529 reviews 7 hours/review $64/hour].
15. Explain the reasons for the change in burden.
The change (i.e., increase) in hour burden is an ADJUSTMENT and is strictly due to an increase in the number of electrical engineering plans submitted for review. This increase may be due to higher than normal shipyard activity. The methodology for estimating hour burden per response per year remains unchanged.
The change in the number of responses is strictly due to an increase in the number of electrical engineering plans submitted for review. The methodology for estimating responses per year remains unchanged.
16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published for statistical use, outline plans for tabulation, statistical analysis, and publication.
There is no plan to use statistical analysis or to publish this information.
17. Explain the reasons for seeking not to display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information of collection.
We are not seeking such approval. The OMB Number will appear on appropriate PRA disclosure information.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
There are no exceptions to the certification statement.
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.
This information collection does not employ statistical methods.
1 Equivalent to an O-3 (outside govt.) wage rate from COMDTINST 7301.1K
2 Wage rates from COMDTINST 7301.1K
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Supporting Statement |
| Author | USCG |
| Last Modified By | Kenlinishia Ann Tyler |
| File Modified | 2008-04-08 |
| File Created | 2008-04-08 |