[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22511-22512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11203]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
32 CFR Part 706


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

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 (Admiralty) of the Navy has determined 
that USS TUCSON (SSN 770) is a vessel of the Navy which, due 
[[Page 22512]] to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply 
fully with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering 
with its special functions as a naval submarine. The intended effect of 
this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 30, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander K.P. McMahon, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy, Admiralty Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Navy 
Department, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2400. Telephone 
number: (703) 325-9744.

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 (Admiralty) of the Navy, under authority delegated by the 
Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS TUCSON (SSN 770) is a 
vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, 
cannot comply fully with the following specific provisions of 72 
COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval 
submarine: Rule 21(c), pertaining to the arc of visibility of the 
sternlight; Annex I, section 2(a)(i), pertaining to the height of the 
masthead light; Annex I, section 2(k), pertaining to the height and 
relative positions of the anchor lights; and Annex I, section 3(b), 
pertaining to the location of the sidelights. The Deputy Assistant 
Judge Advocate General (Admiralty) at the Navy has also certified that 
the aforementioned lights are located in closest possible compliance 
with the applicable 72 COLREGS requirements.
    Notice is also provided that USS TUCSON (SSN 770) is a member of 
the SSN 688 class of vessels for which certain exemptions, pursuant to 
72 COLREGS, Rule 38, have been previously authorized by the Secretary 
of the Navy. The exemptions pertaining to that class, found in the 
existing table of section 706.3, are equally applicable to USS TUCSON 
(SSN 770).
    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:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.


Sec. 706.2  [Amended]

    2. Table One of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following 
vessel:

                                Table One                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Distance in
                                                              meters of 
                                                               forward  
                                                              masthead  
                                                             light below
                   Vessel                          No.         minimum  
                                                              required  
                                                            height. Sec.
                                                               2(a)(i)  
                                                               annex I  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
            *         *         *         *         *                   
USS TUCSON..................................  SSN-770                3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Table Three of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following 
vessel:

                                                                         Table 3                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                             Forward                    
                                                                                                 Side lights     Stern        anchor      Anchor lights 
                                                            Masthead   Side lights  Stern light    distance      light,       light,    relation-ship of
                                                           lights arc     arc of       arc of     inboard of    distance      height      aft light to  
                  Vessel                        No.            of      visibility;  visibility;     ship's     forward of   above hull  forward light in
                                                          visibility;   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    sides in     stern in    in meters;     meters 2(K)  
                                                           rule 21(a)                            meters 3(b)    meters;     2(K) annex       annex 1    
                                                                                                   annex 1     rule 21(c)       1                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
USS TUCSON...............................  SSN-770        ...........  ...........          209          4.4          6.1          3.4  1.7 below.      
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    Dated: March 30, 1995.
K.P. McMahon,
CDR, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty).
[FR Doc. 95-11203 Filed 5-5-95; 8:45 am]
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