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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31046-31047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14251]

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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 PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117) 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 July 3, 2018 and is applicable beginning 
May 30, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
(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 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 PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117) 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(f)(i), pertaining to the 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; Rule 23(a), the requirement to display a forward and aft 
masthead light underway, and 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 lights; and Annex I, paragraph 3(c), pertaining to placement 
of task lights not less than two meters from the fore and aft 
centerline of the ship in the athwartship direction. 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.

[[Page 31047]]

    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:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.

0
2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
0
a. In Table Four, paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117); and
0
b. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117).
    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 Four

* * * * *
    15. * * *

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Horizontal distance from
                                                                                     the fore and aft centerline
                     Vessel                                    Number                   of the vessel in the
                                                                                        athwartship direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS PAUL IGNATIUS..............................  DDG 117..........................                          1.85
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
 
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                                                                                                                After mast- head light
                                                           Masthead lights not over   Forward masthead light    less than \1/2\ ship's      Percentage
            Vessel                       Number              all other lights and     not in forward quarter     length aft of forward      horizontal
                                                            obstructions. annex I,    of ship. annex I, sec.   masthead light. annex I,     separation
                                                                   sec. 2(f)                   3(a)                    sec. 3(a)             attained
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS PAUL IGNATIUS............  DDG 117                                           X                         X                         X             14.6
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    Approved: May 30, 2018.
C.J. Spain,
Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law), 
Acting.
    Dated: June 13, 2018.
E.K. Baldini,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-14251 Filed 7-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
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