Updates to Marine Engineering Standards

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY <SUBAGY>Coast Guard</SUBAGY> <CFR>46 CFR Parts 50, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, and 64</CFR> <DEPDOC>[Docket No. USCG-2020-0634]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 1625-AC72</RIN> <SUBJECT>Updates to Marine Engineering Standards</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Coast Guard, DHS. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The Coast Guard is updating marine engineering standards that are incorporated by reference and eliminating outdated or unnecessarily prescriptive regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. This regulatory action is consistent with the standards currently used by industry and supports the Coast Guard's maritime safety mission. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> This final rule is effective September 10, 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register beginning September 10, 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 1, 1990. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to <E T="03">www.regulations.gov</E> , type USCG-2020-0634 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.” <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> For further information about this document, call or email Thane Gilman, Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3), 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20593. Phone (202) 372-1383, Email: <E T="03">thane.gilman@uscg.mil</E> . </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Contents for Preamble</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Abbreviations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Background, Basis, and Purpose</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">III. Discussion of Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. General Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Editorial Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Comments on Specific Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Comments Recommending Other Changes to the CFR</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Recommendations for Coast Guard Action</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Comments on the Regulatory Analysis (RA)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IV. Discussion of Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. General Discussion</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Standards Incorporated by Reference To Be Updated or Added</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Standards Previously Approved for Incorporation by Reference</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Section-by-Section Analysis of Changes to the Regulatory Text</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Additional Changes From the NPRM</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">V. Incorporation by Reference</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">VI. Regulatory Analyses</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Regulatory Planning and Review</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Small Entities</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Assistance for Small Entities</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Collection of Information</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Federalism</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Taking of Private Property</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Civil Justice Reform</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Protection of Children</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Indian Tribal Governments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. Energy Effects</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">L. Technical Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">M. Environment</FP> </EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">I. Abbreviations</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ABS American Bureau of Shipping</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ACP Alternative Compliance Program</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ANSI American National Standards Institute</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">API American Petroleum Institute</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ASTM ASTM International</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BPVC Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BSEE Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CFR Code of Federal Regulations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CG-5PS U.S. Coast Guard Commercial Regulations and Standards Directorate</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CG-ENG U.S. Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DHS Department of Homeland Security</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">FR Federal Register</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">GS General Schedule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">IBR Incorporation by Reference</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">IMO International Maritime Organization</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ISO International Organization for Standardization</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">MISLE Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">MSC Marine Safety Center</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">MSS Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fitting Industry, Inc.</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">MTN Marine Safety Center Technical Note</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">NAICS North American Industry Classification System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">NOSAC National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">OCS Outer Continental Shelf</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">OCSNCOE Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">OFR Office of the Federal Register</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">OMB Office of Management and Budget</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">OPM Office of Personnel Management</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">PV Pressure Vessel</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">RA Regulatory Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">§ Section</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">SAE SAE International</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">SBA Small Business Administration</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">SOLAS International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">U.S.C. United States Code</FP> </EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">II. Background, Basis, and Purpose</HD> This rule incorporates by reference updated marine engineering standards in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subchapter F, including standards for boilers, pressure vessels, auxiliary machinery, piping, valves, and fittings, for various types of vessels. The rule also adds a limited number of alternative standards and eliminates outdated or unnecessarily prescriptive regulations. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs, via OMB Circular A-119, that federal agencies use industry-based voluntary consensus standards in lieu of government-unique requirements, where appropriate. The Coast Guard actively participates in the development of industry standards for safety of marine equipment at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ASTM International (ASTM), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and other standards-setting bodies that belong to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Recently published editions of these standards provide necessary updates to materials, testing practices, and technologies, enhancing safety and compliance. The Coast Guard has statutory authority to issue regulations under Title 43, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 1333(d), 46 U.S.C. 3306 and 3703, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3, paragraph (II)(92)(b), which delegates authority under these statutes to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Title 43 of the U.S.C., section 1333(d) grants the Secretary the authority to promulgate and enforce regulations with respect to lights and other warning devices, safety equipment, and other matters relating to the promotion of safety of life and property on artificial islands, installations, and other devices. Title 46 of the U.S.C., section 3306(a)(1), authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the design, construction, alteration, repair, and operation of vessels subject to inspection, including equipment, appliances, propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, boilers, unfired pressure vessels, piping, and electric installations. Additionally, 46 U.S.C. 3703(a) grants the Secretary authority to regulate tank vessels regarding the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation, and equipping of vessels that may be necessary for increased protection against hazards to life and property, for navigation and vessel safety, and for enhanced protection of the marine environment. On October 19, 2021, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled “Updates to Marine Engineering Standards,” (86 FR 57896) requesting comments on the proposed changes implemented by this final rule, including several updates to the standards incorporated by reference. A detailed description of the background and proposed changes is available in that NPRM. <HD SOURCE="HD1">III. Discussion of Comments</HD> During the 60-day comment period for the NPRM, beginning on October 19, 2021, the Coast Guard received a comment requesting an extension of the comment period. The Coast Guard granted this request, and, on December 20, 2021, published an extension of the comment period (86 FR 71864), for 45 days, until February 3, 2022. During the extended comment period, we received two comments. The comments can be viewed in the docket following the instructions in the <E T="02">ADDRESSES</E> section of this preamble. We summarize the comments and our responses in the following sections, starting with general comments then moving to specific comments. <HD SOURCE="HD2">A. General Comments on the Proposed Rule</HD> We received two comments supporting  <SU>1</SU> <FTREF/> the update of many of the standards proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR) in subchapter F, emphasizing the importance of “referencing the latest editions of widely used consensus ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 955k characters. 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