[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18254-18255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7338]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0864]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Research Vessel R/V 
SIKULIAQ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative 
Compliance was issued for the research vessel R/V SIKULIAQ as required 
by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on 
September 9, 2011, and reissued on March 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice is available for inspection or 
copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this 
docket on the Internet by going to http://www.regulations.gov, 
inserting USCG-2011-0864 in the ``Keyword'' box, and then clicking 
``Search.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call

[[Page 18255]]

LCDR Wm. Erik Pickering, District Nine, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast 
Guard, telephone 216-902-6050. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    A Certificate of Alternative Compliance, as allowed for under 33 
U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18, has been issued for the research 
vessel R/V SIKULIAQ, O.N. Pending, Marinette Marine Corporation Hull 
No. MMC 0650. The vessel's primary purpose is to conduct oceanographic 
research around the world. The unique design of the vessel did not lend 
itself to full compliance with 33 CFR 84.05(a) of the Coast Guard's 
Inland Navigation Rules and Annex I (3(a)) of the Convention on the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972 and 
1981) (COLREGS).
    The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that full compliance 
with the applicable Inland Navigation Rules and COLREGS would interfere 
with the special functions/intent of the vessel and would not 
significantly enhance the safety of the vessel's operation. Placing the 
masthead light in the required position would interfere with the 
vessel's science and boat/davit operations.
    The Certificate of Alternative Compliance authorizes the R/V 
SIKULIAQ to deviate from the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 84.05(a) 
and COLREGS Annex I (3(a)), and place its aft masthead light 124.7 feet 
from the forward masthead light, which is less than half of the ship 
length (130.75 feet).
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), and 33 
CFR 81.18.

    Dated: March 16, 2012.
D.P. Verfaillie,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, By Direction of 
the Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-7338 Filed 3-26-12; 8:45 am]
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