[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 15, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60947-60948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24391]


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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 (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has 
determined that Unmanned Surface Vehicles with hull numbers 11MUC0601, 
11MUC0602, 11MUC0603 and 11MUCO604, are vessels of the Navy which, due 
to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with 
certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with their 
special function as naval vessels. The intended effect of this rule is 
to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective October 15, 2008 and is applicable 
beginning 16 June 2008).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander M. Robb Hyde, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (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 Department of the Navy amends 32 CFR Part 706. This 
amendment provides notice that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate 
General (Admiralty and Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the 
Secretary of the Navy, has certified that Unmanned Surface Vehicles 
with hull numbers 11MUC0601, 11MUC0602, 11MUC0603 and 11MUCO604 are 
vessels of the Navy which, due to their 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: Rule 21(a), pertaining to the position of the masthead light or 
lights being located over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel; 
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; 
Rule 27(b)(i), pertaining to the placement of three all-round lights in 
a vertical line and Annex I, paragraph 2(i)(ii), pertaining to the 
vertical separation of the Restricted Maneuvering Light Array lights. 
The Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (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.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, amend 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 as follows:
0
A. In Table Two, by adding, at the end of the table under the 
``Vessel'' category, the following entry for Unmanned Surface Vehicles 
with hull numbers 11MUC0601, 11MUC0602, 11MUC0603 and 11MUCO604:
0
B. In Table Four, Paragraph Sixteen by adding, at the end of the table 
under the ``Vessel'' category, the following entry for Unmanned Surface 
Vehicles with hull numbers 11MUC0601, 11MUC0602, 11MUC0603 and 
11MUCO604:
0
C. In Table Four by adding new paragraphs 23 and 24:


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

* * * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                     Side
                                                                        Forward               AFT anchor                 Side       lights,      Side
                                                           Masthead     anchor                  light,                  lights,    distance     lights,
                                                            lights,     light,      Forward    distance   AFT anchor   distance   forward of   distance
                                                           distance    distance     anchor       below      light,       below      forward   inboard of
         Vessel                       Number              to stbd of     below      light,     flight dk  number of;   flight dk   masthead     ship's
                                                            keel in    flight dk  number of;  in meters;     Rule     in meters;   light in    sides in
                                                            meters;   in meters:     Rule        Rule      30(a)(ii)     Sec.       meters;     meters;
                                                          Rule 21(a)     Sec.      30(a)(i)     21(e),                   2(g),       Sec.        Sec.
                                                                         2(k),                   Rule                   Annex I      3(b),       3(b),
                                                                        Annex I                30(a)(ii)                            Annex I     Annex I
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USV.....................  11MUC0601, 11MUC0602,                 0.40  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........
                           11MUC0603, 11MUC0604.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Table 4

* * * * *
    16. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Obstruction angle
            Vessel                  Number           relative ship's
                                                         headings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USV..........................  11MUCO601,        271[deg] thru 278[deg].
                                11MUCO602,
                                11MUC0603,
                                11MUC0604.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 60948]]

* * * * *
    23. On the following ships the verticality of the restricted 
maneuvering light array do not meet verticality requirements described 
in Rule 27(b)(i).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Verticality of lights,
                                                     when viewed from
                                                     directly port or
                                                   starboard, the lower
            Vessel                  Number         task light is out of
                                                    alignment with the
                                                  upper and middle task
                                                   light in meters by:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USV..........................  11MUCO601,        0.85
                                11MUCO602,
                                11MUC0603,
                                11MUC0604.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    24. On the following ships the vertical separation of the 
Restricted Maneuvering Light Array lights do not meet requirements 
described in Annex I, paragraph 2(i)(ii).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Restricted maneuvering
            Vessel                  Number        light array, vertical
                                                    spacing in meters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USV..........................  11MUCO601,        0.49
                                11MUCO602,
                                11MUC0603,
                                11MUC0604.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Approved: June 16, 2008.
M. Robb Hyde,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
 [FR Doc. E8-24391 Filed 10-14-08; 8:45 am]
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