PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 16-398 Released: April 14, 2016 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON RADIO TECHNICAL COMMISSION FOR MARITIME SERVICES PETITION FOR RULEMAKING TO UPDATE PART 80 OF THE COMMISSION’S RULES RM-11765 Comments Due: May 31, 2016 Reply Comments Due: June 21, 2016 On February 16, 2016, the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) filed a Petition for Rulemaking requesting that the Commission open a rulemaking proceeding to comprehensively update, streamline, and reorganize Part 80 of its rules in order to enhance maritime safety, promote the efficient use of the maritime spectrum, and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens on the users and manufacturers of maritime radio equipment. 1 RTCM notes that the last major rewrite of Part 80 was in 2000, and many of the international standards and recommendations incorporated in the rules have since been revised. Most of the proposed rule changes are set forth as redline edits to the current Part 80 in an attachment to the petition, with brief explanations for the proposed changes. RTCM’s proposals address a variety of issues, including clarifying the requirements and procedures regarding maritime mobile service identities, updating the equipment and carriage requirements for digital selective calling equipment, revising the rules to authorize new types of Automatic Identification System equipment and Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons, and adding regulations for High Speed Craft. By this Public Notice, we seek comment on the Petition for Rulemaking. In addition to addressing RTCM’s specific proposals, commenters are asked to suggest any additional rule changes that they believe are appropriate, particularly with respect to removing obsolete provisions. We ask commenters to provide information on the costs of complying with any proposed new requirements, and whether the safety benefits to be derived therefrom outweigh the compliance costs. We also seek comment on the appropriate timetable for phasing out equipment that does not comply with any proposed new requirements. 1 Petition of the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services for Rulemaking (filed Feb. 16, 2016). 2Procedural Matters Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated above. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). 2 ? Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. ? Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. ? All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12 th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. ? Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. ? U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty). This proceeding has been designated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. 3 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). 2 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). 3 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1206. 3In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules. For further information, contact Jim Shaffer of the Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-1306 or via e-mail at james.shaffer@fcc.gov. Action by the Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. - FCC -