Supporting statement OMB 3060-1227 (2019)

Sections 80.233, Technical requirements for Automatic Identification 3060-1227

System Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART) equipment, 80.1061 November 2019

Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB stations, 95.2987

Additional PLB and MSLD certification requirements

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A. Justification

1. The information collections contained in the following rule sections require manufacturers of certain emergency radio beacons to include supplemental information with their equipment certification application as adopted in FCC 16-119¹ on August 30, 2016 by the Federal Communications Commission (“the Commission”).

Section 80.233 require manufacturers of Automatic Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitters (AIS-SARTs) for the Maritime Radio Service to submit to the U.S. Coast Guard a copy of test reports stating that the AIS-SART device satisfies the technical requirements specified in the IEC 61097-14 Standard, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s). After reviewing the submission the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter to include with the equipment certification application stating whether the AIS-SART device satisfies all of the requirements. The information collection will ensure that AIS-SART devices are reliable thereby promoting marine safety.

Section 80.1061 requires manufacturers of 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for the Maritime Radio Service to submit to the U.S. Coast Guard a copy of test reports stating that the EPIRB satisfies the technical requirements specified in Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) Standard 11000, a copy of the technical test data, the instruction manual(s), and copies of the certificate and test data obtained from the test facility recognized by a COSPAS/SARSAT² Partner showing that the EPIRB complies with RTCM Standard 11000. After reviewing the submission the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter to include with the equipment certification application stating whether the EPIRB satisfies all of the requirements. The requirements assure the EPIRB is reliable thereby promoting marine safety.

Section 95.2987(a) requires manufacturers of 406 MHz Personal Locating Beacons (PLBs) for the Personal Radio Services to include with each equipment certification application documentation from COSPAS/SARSAT recognized test facility that the PLB satisfies the technical requirements specified in RTCM Standard 11010. Additionally, an independent test facility must certify that the PLB complies with the electrical and environmental standards associated with the RTCM Standard 11010. The requirement assures that the PLB is reliable thereby promoting personal safety.

Section 95.2987(b) require manufacturers of Maritime Survivor Locating Devices (MSLDs) for the Personal Radio Services to submit to the U.S. Coast Guard a copy of test reports stating that the MSLD device satisfies the technical requirements specified in RTCM Standard 11901, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s). After reviewing the submission the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter to include with the equipment certification application stating whether the MSLD device satisfies all of the requirements. The requirements will ensure that MSLD devises are reliable thereby promoting marine safety.

The Commission renumbered the Part 95 rules when adopting FCC 17-57. We reflect the renumbered rule sections with this submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Sections 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 unless otherwise noted.

This information collection does not affect individuals or households; thus, there are no impacts under the Privacy Act.

2. The information collections are used by Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) to determine if certain emergency radio devices meets the necessary domestic and international technical standards. If this information were not available, operation of certain emergency radio equipment could be hindered threatening the ability of rescue personnel to locate persons in distress.

3. Prior to finalizing rule makings the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau conducts an analysis to insure that improved information technology cannot be used to reduce the burden on the public. This analysis considers the possibility of obtaining and/or computer‑generating the required data from existing data bases in the Commission or other federal agencies.

4. This agency does not impose a similar information collection on the respondents. There are no similar data available.

5. In conformance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Commission is making an effort to minimize the burden on all respondents, regardless of size. The Commission has limited the information requirements to that absolutely necessary for evaluating and processing each application and to deter against possible abuses of the processes.

6. This information is considered essential to the implementation of the Act as described above.

7. Current data collection is consistent with 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. The Commission initiated a 60-day public comment period which appeared in the Federal Register on September 4, 2019 (see 84 FR 46522) seeking comments from the public for the information collection requirements contained in this collection. No PRA comments were received as a result of the notice.

9. Respondents will not receive any payments associated with this collection.

10. There is no need for confidentiality with is collection of information.

11. There are no requests of a sensitive nature considered or those considered a private matter being sought from the applicants on this collection.

12. Section 80.233 AIS-SARTs. Approximately 20 manufacturers will be required to submit certification for AIS-SART devices. Informal consultation and past experience was used to arrive at the estimate of 1 hour per year per manufacturer to submit information for their AIS transmitters for a total yearly burden of 20 hours.

Burden hours: 20 certifications x 1 hour/certification = 20 hours.

Estimate of in-house cost to respondents: We assume that the respondents would use an in-house engineering to prepare the information. $50/hour x 20 responses x 1 hour = $1,000.

Section 80.1061 EPIRBs. Approximately 20 manufacturers will be required to submit certification for EPIRB devices. Informal consultation and past experience was used to arrive at the estimate of 1 hour per year per manufacturer to submit information for their EPRIB devices for a total yearly burden of 20 hours.

Burden hours: 20 certifications x 1 hour/certification = 20 hours.

Estimate of in-house cost to respondents: We assume that the respondents would use engineering personnel to prepare the information. $50/hour x 20 responses x 1 hour = $1,000.

Section 95.2987(a) PLBs. Approximately 20 manufacturers will be required to submit certification for PLB devices. Informal consultation and past experience was used to arrive at the estimate of 1 hour per year per manufacturer to submit information for their PLB devices for a total yearly burden of 20 hours.

Burden hours: 20 certifications x 1 hour/certification = 20 hours.

Estimate of in-house cost to respondents: We assume that the respondents would use engineering personnel to prepare the information. $50/hour x 20 responses x 1 hour = $1,000.

Section 95.2987(b) MSLDs. Approximately 20 manufacturers will be required to submit certification for MSLD devices. Informal consultation and past experience was used to arrive at the estimate of 1 hours per year per manufacturer to submit information for MSLD devices for a total yearly burden of 20 hours.

Burden hours: 20 certifications x 1 hour/certification = 20 hours.

Estimate of in-house cost to respondents: We assume that the respondents would use engineering personnel to prepare the information. $50/hour x 20 responses x 1 hour = $1,000.

TOTAL NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS: 80 manufacturers.

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANNUAL RESPONSES: 20 + 20 + 20 + 20 = 80 certifications.

TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS FOR SECTIONS 80.233, 80.1061, 95.1402 and 95.1403 = 20 hours + 20 hours + 20 hours + 20 hours = 80 hours.

TOTAL ANNUAL IN-HOUSE COST FOR SECTIONS 80.233, 80.1061, 95.1402 and 95.1403 TO RESPONDENTS = $1,000 + $1,000 + $1,000 + $1,000 = $4,000.

13. Estimate of cost to respondents

a. There are no capital or start-up costs.

b. There are no operational or maintenance costs.

14. Estimate of cost to Federal Government: none.

15. There are no program changes or adjustments to this collection.

16. The data will not be published for statistical use.

17. We do not seek approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

18. There were no exceptions to the certification statement.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods are employed.

1 See Amendment of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Maritime Radio Equipment and Related Matters, WT Docket No. 14-36.

2 The COSPAS-SARSAT system is an international satellite-based search and rescue system jointly established by Canada, Russia, and the United States.  COSPAS is an acronym for a Russian phrase meaning “space system for search and distress vessels.”  SARSAT is an acronym for “search and rescue satellite-aided tracking.”