Page 23: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 1994)

(Continued from page 7) tended to link the radars of several types of ships and aircraft so a fleet can protect itself better from high- speed missiles.

Also authorized was $240 mil- lion, as requested, to develop a new nuclear submarine. Dubbed Centu- rion, it is intended to be less expen- sive than the two Seawolf-class ships currently under construction. The administration has plans to buy only one more Seawolf.

In a move which reflects the changing world political climate, $50 million was included to adapt exist- ing Los Angeles-class subs for a sonar system designed for the new

Seawolf class. This reflects changes in the Navy's subhunting efforts, from finding Soviet nuclear-pow- ered submarines in the ocean depths to finding other countries' smaller, non-nuclear-powered submarines in relatively shallow water.

Also added to the budget is $10 million to test the ability of powerful computers to make existing sonars on some older ships more effective in detecting submarines in shallow water.

Finally, the bill authorizes the $894 million requested for a heli- copter carrier the size of a medium- sized aircraft carrier. The ship is designed to carry 2,000 Marines, plus helicopters and barges to haul them ashore.

U.S.C.G. Implements

Simplification Of Vessel

Documentation Procedures

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has announced the implementation of new vessel documentation rules that streamline procedures and re- move needless regulations. Thenew rules that become effective January 1, 1994, are more user-friendly and substantially eliminate unnecessary paperwork.

The new procedure will: • reduce required vessel procure- ment forms from more than seven to only two, the application itself and evidence of title; • eliminate the 60,000 plus submis- sions of the MarAd citizenship dec- laration form presently required for certain owners; • eliminate the currently required marking certificates that total more than 45,000 submissions; and, • require only two copies of the

Dreferred mortgage compared with ;he previously-required four.

In addition to simplifying the ves- sel documentation procedures, cer- ;ain regulations are eliminated, ^ow, it will be possible to renew indorsements at any port of docu- nentation and not just in the home >ort. For example, instead of being •estricted to marking the vessel with he USCG port of documentation or he owner's residence, the owner nay choose from more than 190,000 (laces.

The USCG's new regulations re- ult in a simpler application pro- ess. Therefore, inadvertent omis- ions will no longer automatically oid the application. This will result ii fewer rejections. anuary, 1994

In order to meet the expenses associated with providing these en- hanced services, the USCG is apply- ing a reasonable user fee that more accurately reflects the cost of the service. The fee, required by the statute, will be determined by the type of endorsement requested and no fee will be charged for the re- newal of an endorsement.

For further information, contact

Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

Headquarters, Office of Marine

Safety, Security and Environmen- tal Protection (G-MVI-5), 2100 Sec- ond St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593-0001 or (202) 267-1492.

MarAd Honors U.S.-Flag

Shippers

In ceremonies held in Houston and Atlanta on December 1st and 8th, respectively, the U.S. Government formally thanked 114 exporters and importers for patronizing U.S.-flag merchant ships. "Through their use of America's merchant ships, these companies support the nation's economic security and vital sealift capability," said Albert J.

Herberger, Maritime Administra- tor. "America needs commercial cargo ships and civilian seafarers for military support and to avoid being totally dependent upon for- eign ships and crews to support the growth of our foreign trade." Mr.

Herberger personally thanked the shippers at the ceremonies, and each received the Department of

Transportation's U.S. Merchant

Marine Certificate of Appreciation.

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