[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58303-58304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23749]


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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 certain vessels of the PC-1 Class 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 functions as naval ships. The intended 
effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS 
apply.

DATES: This rule is effective September 24, 2010 and is applicable 
beginning September 8, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Ted Cook, JAGC, 
U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, (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 
number: 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 certain vessels of the PC-1 Class 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 their special function as naval ships: Rule 21(a) 
pertaining to the arc of visibility of a masthead light. 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), and Vessels.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the DoN amends part 706 of 
title 32 of the CFR 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 as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended in Table Three by removing the entry for 
USS

[[Page 58304]]

Zephyr and revising the following entries for the PC-1 Class to read as 
follows:


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

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                  Side
                                                                                                 lights       Stern      Forward
                                                          Masthead                              distance     light,      anchor        Anchor lights
                                                         lights arc  Side lights  Stern light  inboard of   distance     light,     relation-ship of aft
              Vessel                        No.              of         arc of       arc of      ship's    forward of    height       light to forward
                                                        visibility;  visibility;  visibility;   sides in    stern in   above hull   light in meters 2(K)
                                                         rule 21(a)   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    meters      meters;   in meters;         annex 1
                                                                                               3(b) annex  rule 21(c)  2(K) annex
                                                                                                    1                       1
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS TEMPEST.......................  PC 2..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.3         3.0  1.1 below.
USS HURRICANE.....................  PC 3..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS MONSOON.......................  PC 4..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.3         3.0  1.1 below.
USS TYPHOON.......................  PC 5..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS SIROCCO.......................  PC 6..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS SQUALL........................  PC 7..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS CHINOOK.......................  PC 9..............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS FIREBOLT......................  PC 10.............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS WHIRLWIND.....................  PC 11.............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
USS THUNDERBOLT...................  PC 12.............        (\2\)  ...........  ...........  ..........    \1\ 28.5         3.0  1.1 below.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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\1\ Only when towing
\2\ Lower forward masthead light (used for towing) is partially blocked at angles plus or minus 8.5 degrees off centerline; this light is used only when
  tow exceeds 200 meters from the stern of the ship to aft end of tow.


    Approved: September 8, 2010.
M. Robb Hyde,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. 2010-23749 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
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