[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 200 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61099-61100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26417]


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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 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 of the Navy (Admiralty and Maritime 
Law) has determined that USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 7, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Gregg A. Cervi, 
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Navy Department, 
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC 20374-5066; telephone number: 
(202) 685-5040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the authority granted in 33 
U.S.C. 1605, the Department of the Navy amends 32 CFR part 706. This 
amendment provides notice that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate 
General of the Navy (Admiralty and Maritime Law), under authority 
delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS Winston 
S. Churchill (DDG 81) 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 
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 the task lights, Annex I paragraph 3(a) 
pertaining to the location of the forward masthead light in the forward 
quarter of the vessel, and the horizontal distance between the forward 
and after masthead lights, and Annex I paragraph 3(c) pertaining to the 
horizontal placement of the task lights. The Deputy Assistant Judge 
Advocate General of the Navy (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), and Vessels.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 706 is amended as follows:

PART 706--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 706 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.

    2. Table 4, paragraph 15 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding, in 
numerical order, the following entry for USS Winston S. Churchill:


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

* * * * *

                                                     Table 4
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                                                                                    Horizontal distance from the
                                                                                     fore and aft centerline of
                               Vessel                                   Number     the vessel in the athwartship
                                                                                             direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                         *
USS Winston S. Churchill...........................................       DDG 81                   1.87 meters.
 
 *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                         *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

[[Page 61100]]


    3. Table 4, paragraph 16 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding, in 
numerical order, the following entry for USS Winston S. Churchill:


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

* * * * *

                                                     Table 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Obstruction angle relative
                               Vessel                                   Number            ship's headings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS Winston S. Churchill...........................................       DDG 81       101.96 thru 112.50 deg..
 
 *                  *                  *                *                  *                  *
                                                        *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    4. Table 5 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding, in numerical order, 
the following entry for USS Winston S. Churchill:


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

* * * * *

                                                                         Table 5
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                                                                            Masthead lights                         After masthead
                                                                          not over all other   Forward masthead   light less than \1/     Percentage
                                                                              lights and         light not in      2\ ship's length       horizontal
                          Vessel                               Number        obstructions.    forward quarter of    aft of forward        separation
                                                                            annex I, sec. 2     ship. annex I,      masthead light.        attained
                                                                                  (f)              sec. 3(a)      annex I, sec. 3(a)
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USS Winston S. Churchill..................................       DDG 81                   X                   X                   X                13.8
 
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
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* * * * *

    Approved: March 7, 2000.
G.A. Cervi,
Lieutenant Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate 
General (Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. 00-26417 Filed 10-13-00; 8:45 am]
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