1625-0040_COI_SupportingStatement_28Jun12

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Title: Application for Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate Evaluation Report, Small Vessel Sea Service Form, DOT/USCG Periodic Drug Testing Form, Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings, Merchant Mariner Credential, Merchant Mariner Medical Certificate, Recognition of Foreign Certificate

Agency Form #: CG-719B, CG-719K, CG-719S, CG-719P, CG-719K/E, CG-4610, CG-4610A, and CG-4610B

OMB #: 1625-0040

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, parts 10, 12, 13, and 16 mandate that each applicant for a merchant mariner credential (MMC) make written application to the Coast Guard (CG-719B); present a completed Coast Guard physical examination report (CG-719K or CG Form 719K/E) executed by a physician, attesting to the applicant’s medical fitness to perform the functions for the credential sought; provide documentary evidence of sea service on vessels (CG-719S); and provide evidence (CG-719P) of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs.

The Proposed Rules “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to Domestic Endorsements” (RIN 1625-AA16) (Docket No. USCG-2004-17914) is proposing to add an issuance of a new medical certificate for STCW-endorsed mariners. Application for a medical certificate will be made to the Coast Guard by completing and submitting a CG-719K. In addition, these Proposed Rules also propose to add new regulations for the recognition of STCW Certificates issued by foreign governments. Application for a recognition certificate will be made via the employer but approved and issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purposes the information is to be used and the consequence to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection of information was not conducted.

The Coast Guard will evaluate the collection of information against applicable statutes, regulations and policies solely for the purposes of determining eligibility for issuance of a MMC and/or medical certificate. This evaluation is performed on occasion, meaning as submitted by the respondent when he or she applies for a MMC or medical certificate every year, 2 years, or 5 years, as applicable. Per Code of Federal Regulations, the Coast Guard requires the information to process applications and issue credentials to, applicants who can prove their identity, and whose background, training and certifications can be verified to ensure security and safety related requirements are met. This information assists the Coast Guard in its effort to help secure U.S. ports, waterways, marine infrastructure, and marine-related commercial activities, including international trade, by protecting the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Program from abuse or fraud. Additionally, much of the information collected is stored in the Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation database, which is used during the evaluation of future MMC and medical certificate applications.

3. Describe whether the collection of information involves the use of automated collection techniques.

The forms under this collection were converted to a fillable version. The Coast Guard continues to work towards developing a system that will allow respondents to submit electronically. Available resources and funding are factors that can influence this initiative. However, upon approval of this collection, respondents will have the option to obtain electronic fillable forms for this collection. The Coast Guard implemented email submission of MMC application packages to Regional Examination Centers (RECs) in January 2010. Please see Appendix A (attached) for submission instructions and a list of email addresses available to the public. Coast Guard also accepts submissions by fax and via paper copies.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

As the requirements for a Coast Guard MMC are unique and very specific, no duplication of information collected is known. These are the only records available that specifically address the requirements for issuance of a Coast Guard MMC. No other Federal, State, or Local agencies collect this information.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities describe the methods used to minimize burden.

The information collection does not impact small businesses.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection were not conducted or conducted less frequently.

The Coast Guard is mandated by law to issue MMCs to individuals found qualified as to age, character, habits of life, experience, professional qualifications, and physical fitness. Without the ability to collect this information the Coast Guard would not be able to adhere to statutory and regulatory requirements.

7. Explain any special circumstances.

No special circumstances exist for this collection of information.

8. Solicitation of Comments.

A 60-day Notice was published in the Federal Register to obtain public comment on this collection (see [USCG-2012-0082]; March 23, 2012; 77 FR 17081). Additionally, a 30-day Notice was published in the Federal Register to obtain public comment on this collection (June 14, 2012; 77 FR 35701). The Coast Guard 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 are provided to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and

the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

Confidentiality is provided to respondents via a System of Records, 65 FR 19476-01, dated April 11, 2000.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.

There is no “sensitive nature” information collected.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

In 2011, approximately 56,500 applications (CG-719B) were received and processed. This is a good representation of an average year of applications. An application itself takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and may be e-mailed, hand carried or mailed to a Regional Examination Center (REC) for processing. Applications are either accompanied by a CG-719K or CG-719K/E, which provide information for determining an applicant’s fitness for duty as a merchant mariner. The CG-719P and CG-719S are typically submitted with the applicant’s application as documentary evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drug and evidence of sea service on vessels.

The Proposed Rules “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to Domestic Endorsements” (RIN 1625-AA16) (Docket No. USCG-2004-17914) is proposing to add an issuance of a new medical certificate for STCW-endorsed mariners. It is estimated that an additional 12,000 mariners will need to apply for the medical certificate annually by completing the CG-719K or CG-719K/E. We estimate the additional annual hour burden for this requirement to be 4,000 hours [12,000 mariners X (20/60) hours]. The total hour burden based on 2011 numbers and this program change will be approximately 57,083 hours, an increase of 46, 250 from the previously approved OMB 83-I. The previous OMB 83-I only accounted for the burden hours associated with the CG-719B (65,299 annual responses * 10 minutes (time to complete 1 CG-719B) = 10,883 hours), and not the total burden hours associated with the collection. Based on the total annual responses from the previous OMB 83-I, the total annual hours for this collection should have been 54,416 (65,299 annual responses * 50 minutes (CG-719B + CG-719K or CG-719K/E + CG-719S + CG-719P)). As a result, the total annual responses for this collection revision increased by 3,201 increasing burden hours by 2,667.

Annual applications (CG-719B) completed:	56,500
Time to complete a CG-719B:	10 minutes
Original Burden Hours:	10,833
Notification of Change from previous renewal:	-8,799 (CG-719B)
Additional Burden Hours:	0
New Total Burden Hours for CG-719B:	9,417 rounded
Estimated number of Medical evaluations (CG-719K or CG-719K/E):	68,500
Time to complete 1 CG-719K or CG-719K/E:	20 minutes
Original Burden Hours:	21,766rounded
Notification of Change from previous renewal:	3,201 (CG-719K or CG-719K/E)
Additional Burden Hours:	1,067
New Total Burden Hours CG-719K or CG-719K/E:	22,833 rounded
Estimated number of Small Vessel Sea Service Forms completed (CG-719S):	56,500
Time to complete 1 CG-719S:	15 minutes
Original Burden Hours:	16,325 rounded
Notification of Change from previous renewal:	-8,799 (CG-719S)
Additional Burden Hours:	0
New Total Burden Hours for CG-719S:	14,125
Estimated number of DOT/USCG Periodic Drug Testing Forms (CG-719P):	56,500
Time to complete 1 CG-719P:	5 minutes
Original Burden Hours:	5,442 rounded
Notification of Change from previous renewal:	-8,799 (CG-719P)
Additional Burden Hours:	0
New Total Burden Hours for CG-719P:	4,708 rounded
New Total Burden Hours (CG-719B + CG-719K or CG-719K/E + CG-719S + CG-719P)	57,083

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents.

There are no annualized capital and start-up costs.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government.

Expense Type	Expense Explanation	Annual Costs (dollars)
Direct Costs to the Federal Government	Evaluation of forms (point of receipt to approval or rejection of forms)	$11,394,464
	Merchant Mariner License and Documentation database	$800,000
	Shipping costs	$14,993
	Safety and Suitability databases	$31,303
	Subtotal, Direct Costs to the Government	$12,240,760
Contractor Expenses	In-Processing of forms/Production of credential	$2,488,896
	Subtotal, Contracted Services	$2,488,896
	TOTAL COST TO THE GOVERNMENT	$14,729,656

15. Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments.

A program change will result from the Proposed Rules “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, and Changes to Domestic Endorsements” (RIN 1625-AA16)( Docket No. USCG-2004-17914). The Coast Guard is amending its regulations governing requirements for credentialed mariners by adding an issuance of a medical certificate for STCW-endorsed mariners. As a signatory to the STCW Convention, this program change is necessary to demonstrate to the International Maritime Organization that the United States has in place certain regulations that implement the international requirements and related amendments to the STCW Convention. This program change will increase the number of annual responses of the CG-719K or CG-719K/E by 3,201 and the total burden hours by 2,667. The proposed change will not require additional information to be collected; only increase the number of annual responses.

16. For collection of information whose results will be published.

There are no current plans to use the information for statistical purposes.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval

of the information collection, explain the reasons that displaying the expiration date would be inappropriate.

The OMB expiration date should and will be displayed on reports.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission”.

There are no exceptions.

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS.

This information is not collected through the use of statistical methods.

Appendix A: Submission of Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Applications to Regional Examination Centers (RECs) Using Email.