Request for Designation and Exemption of Oceanographic Research Vessels

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. COAST GUARD

REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION AND EXEMPTION OF OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSELS

OMB No. 1625-0014 Exp: 06/30/2012

Who must comply?	Owners or operators of vessels.
What is this collection about?	This information is used by the Coast Guard’s (CG) Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) to determine: 1) if a vessel can be designated as an Oceanographic Research Vessel (ORV); and 2) can be exempted from specific inspection and/or manning requirements.
Where do I find the requirements for this information?	Title 46 CFR Parts 3 and 14, are available at—http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov, select TITLE 46 – SHIPPING, and follow to Parts 3 and 14 (Subpart D) respectively.
When must information be submitted to the Coast Guard?	For a vessel seeking an initial designation as an ORV, the information must be submitted to the CG before a determination can be made. For a vessel that has previously been designated an ORV and seeks a renewal of the designation, the information must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the Letter of Designation or Certificate of Inspection.
How is the information submitted?	By mail, fax or electronically submitted via e-mail to the OCMI. A list of Coast Guard sectors, as part of a comprehensive list of Coast Guard units, can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/.
What happens when complete information is received?	The CG will review the information and determine if a vessel is eligible to receive a designation as an ORV. If it qualifies, an ORV will receive— a Letter of Designation (if an uninspected vessel); or a designation on its Certificate of Inspection (if an inspected vessel). A Letter of Designation is valid for two years and a Certificate of Inspection is valid for five years.
For additional information, contact--	Your local CG Sector Office. A list of Coast Guard sectors, as part of a comprehensive list of Coast Guard units, can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.

The Coast Guard estimates that the average burden for this report is 1 hour. You may submit any comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate or any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Commandant (CG-543), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2^nd St SW Stop 7581, Washington D.C. 20593-7581 or Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1625-0014), Washington, DC 20503.