U.S. COAST GUARD PROPOSES PERMANENT 96-HOUR ADVANCED NOTICE FOR SHIPS

U.S. COAST GUARD PROPOSES PERMANENT 96-HOUR ADVANCED NOTICE FOR SHIPS    The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed to make permanent its 96-hour advanced notice for all cargo ships arriving in the nation’s ports.
   The 96-hour advanced notice for vessels greater than 300 gross tons was imposed by the Coast Guard shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Vessel arrivals used to be required 24 hours in advance.
   The Coast Guard also proposes to consolidate the notice of departure and notice of arrival; require electronic submission of cargo manifest information to Customs; and require additional crew and passenger information.
   “In the maritime context, extra time is needed for security checks,” the Coast Guard said. “If the required arrival information is not received early enough, vessels bound for U.S. ports and places could experience delays in entering port.”
   “The proposed permanent changes would help ensure public safety, security, and the uninterrupted flow of commerce,” the agency added.
   The Coast Guard will take comments about its proposed rulemaking from the industry through August 19.
   “Additional rulemakings may be necessary to increase maritime domain awareness or to achieve the goal of a single submission of all federal government arrival information requirements,” the agency said.