RSPA and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) are proposing to amend existing requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) pertaining to the handling, stowage, and transport of explosives by vessel. This notice proposes to revise provisions currently found in 46 CFR part 146 applicable to the carriage of military explosives by vessel and to consolidate them with the provisions for transporting commercial explosives by vessel that are currently found in 49 CFR part 176. The purpose of this notice is to simplify, clarify, and remove duplicative requirements for the transport of explosives by vessel. RSPA has also proposed minor editorial changes intended to harmonize the modal requirements of part 176 applicable to the transport of hazardous materials by vessel with the proposed changes to hazard class terminology and units of measurement set forth in Docket HM181. Notice 87-4 (52 FR 42772: November 6, 1987). Docket HM-181, Notice 87-4, indicated these changes would be forthcoming. The intended effect of this notice is to enhance transportation safety, make the regulations pertaining to the transport of explosives by vessel easier to use and enforce, and facilitate the international transportation of hazardous materials by vessel.