[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26210-26212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12136]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

32 CFR Part 706


Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations 
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its 
certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the 
Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime 
Law) has determined that USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18) is a vessel of the 
Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully 
comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering 
with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this 
rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective June 6, 2018 and is applicable beginning 
May 24, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, (Admiralty and Maritime Law), 
Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Navy, 1322 
Patterson Ave. SE, Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, 
telephone number: 202-685-5040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the authority granted in 33 
U.S.C. 1605, the DoN amends 32 CFR part 706.
    This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
has certified that USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18) is a vessel of the Navy 
which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply 
with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with its special function as a naval ship: Annex I 
paragraph 2 (a)(i), pertaining to the height of the forward masthead 
light above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to the

[[Page 26211]]

placement of the masthead light or lights above and clear of all other 
lights and obstructions; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(ii), pertaining to the 
vertical placement of task lights; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining 
to the location of the forward masthead light in the forward quarter of 
the ship, and the horizontal distance between the forward and after 
masthead light; Rule 27(b)(i) and Annex I, paragraph 9(b)(i), 
pertaining to the visibility of the middle task light. The DAJAG 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law) has also certified that the lights 
involved are located in closest possible compliance with the applicable 
72 COLREGS requirements.
    Moreover, it has been determined, in accordance with 32 CFR parts 
296 and 701, that publication of this amendment for public comment 
prior to adoption is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public 
interest since it is based on technical findings that the placement of 
lights on this vessel in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect the vessel's ability to perform its 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Vessels.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the DoN amends part 706 
of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 706--CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL 
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

0
1. The authority citation for part 706 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.

0
2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18);
0
b. In Table Four:
0
i. Under paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18);
0
ii. Under paragraph 16, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18); and
0
iii. Under paragraph 27, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18); and
0
c. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  706.2  Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy Under 
Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Distance in meters
                                                     of forward masthead
                                                     light below minimum
             Vessel                    Number       required height Sec.
                                                        2(a)(i) Annex I
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS CHARLESTON.................  LCS 18...........                   4.2
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                               Table Four
 
 
 
 
 

* * * * *
    15. * * *

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                                                                          Horizontal distances from the fore and
                  Vessel                              Number               aft centerline of the vessel in the
                                                                                  athwartship direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS CHARLESTON...........................  LCS 18......................  Upper-0.20 meters.
                                                                         Middle-1.3 meters.
                                                                         Lower-1.3 meters.
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* * * * *
    16. * * *

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                                                                            Obstruction angle relative ship's
                  Vessel                              Number                             headings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

[[Page 26212]]

 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS CHARLESTON...........................  LCS 18......................  72[deg] thru 74[deg].
                                                                         286[deg] thru 288[deg].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    27. * * *

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                  Vessel                              Number             Obstruction angle relative ship heading
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS CHARLESTON...........................  LCS 18......................  47[deg] thru 59[deg].
                                                                         301[deg] thru 313[deg].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                    After mast-head
                                                                            Masthead lights    Forward masthead   light less than \1/     Percentage
                                                                          not over all other     light not in      2\ ship's length       horizontal
                 Vessel                               Number                  lights and      forward quarter of    aft of forward        separation
                                                                             obstructions.      ship. annex I,      masthead light.        attained
                                                                          annex I, sec. 2(f)       sec. 3(a)      annex I, sec. 3(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS CHARLESTON.........................  LCS 18.........................  ..................                  X                   X                15.2
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: May 24, 2018.
Christopher J. Spain,
Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law), 
Acting.
    Dated: May 31, 2018.
E.K. Baldini,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-12136 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am]
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