B03-023

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has published a notice in the Federal Register advising that the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program requires that a notice of time, place, and nature of each Joint Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) meeting be published in the Federal Register.

On January 27-28, 2003, a meeting was co-hosted by MARAD and the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, IL regarding OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Because of the nature of some of the briefings, only attendees with security clearances were admitted to the classified portions of the meeting.

For further information contact Taylor E. Jones II, Director, Office of Sealift Support at (202) 366-2323.

B03-024

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 11, 2003 announcing the President's approval on December 12, 2001 of the provision of vessel war risk insurance by memorandum for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Transportation. This approval was for the provision by the Secretary of Transportation of insurance or reinsurance of vessels (including cargoes and crew) entering the Middle East region against loss or damage.

On August 23, 2002, the Secretary of Transportation approved the extension of the authority to provide such insurance for another 6-month period to December 12, 2002. On February 9, 2003, the Secretary of Transportation approved an additional extension of one year, through December 12, 2003.

For further information contact Joe Strassburg, Chief, Division of Marine Insurance, Maritime Administration, 400 7^th St., SW., Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366-4156.

B03-025

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, an information collection entitled The Effective U.S. Control (EUSC)/Parent Company. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on December 2, 2002. No comments were received.

Written comments referencing Control No. 2133-0511 should be forwarded to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17^th St., NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention MARAD Desk Officer by 5:00 p.m. April 11, 2003.

For further information contact Thomas Christensen, Maritime Administration, 400 7^th St., SW, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366-5909; fax (202) 366-2180, or E-MAIL: tom.christensen@marad.dot.gov. Copies of this collection also can be obtained from that office.

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The mission of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is to promote the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. MARAD also seeks to ensure that the United States enjoys adequate shipbuilding and repair services, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity in time of national emergency.

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