MSO Louisville received notice of the expected amendment of a 3 July 96 final rule on towing vessel navigation equipment. The expectation is that the final rule which requires all tow vessels > 300 gross tons to have radars meeting an rtcm std. which includes "stabilization" will be amended on or about the end of May 97. This final rule as written requires a vsl to have a gyro compass and is generally considered unnecessary on the western rivers. The expected amendment to the final rule should exempt inland/western river towing vessels from the stabilization requirement.