[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29420-29422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14526]


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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 USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) 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.

DATES: This rule is effective June 22, 2009 and is applicable beginning 
June 11, 2009.

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 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 USS 
INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2) 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 (a)(i), pertaining to the 
location of the forward masthead light at a height not less than 12 
meters above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the 
location of the forward masthead light in the forward quarter of the 
ship, and the horizontal distance between the forward and after 
masthead lights; 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; Annex I, paragraph 3(c), pertaining to the 
task light's horizontal distance from the fore and aft centerline of 
the vessel in the athwartship direction; and Rule 21(a), pertaining to 
the arc of visibility of the aft masthead light. 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, the Navy amends 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 as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended as follows:

[[Page 29421]]

0
A. In Table One by adding, in alpha numerical order by vessel number, 
an entry for USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2);
0
B. In Table Four, Paragraph 15 by adding, in alpha numerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2);
0
C. In Table Four, Paragraph 16 by adding, in alpha numerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2); and
0
D. In Table Five by adding, in alpha numerical order by vessel number, 
an entry for USS INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2).
0
The additions read as follows:


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

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Distance in meters
                                                     of forward masthead
                                                     light below minimum
             Vessel                    Number         required height.
                                                    Sec.   2(a)(i) Annex
                                                              I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS INDEPENDENCE...............  LCS 2............                  4.91
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
Table Four
* * * * *
    15. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Horizontal distance from
                                                    the fore and aft
            Vessel                  Number      centerline of the vessel
                                                   in the athwart-ship
                                                        direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS INDEPENDENCE.............  LCS 2..........  1.31 meters.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    16. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Obstruction angle
            Vessel                  Number           relative ship's
                                                        headings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS INDEPENDENCE.............  LCS 2..........  71[deg] thru 73[deg].
                                                76[deg] thru 78[deg].
                                                287[deg] thru 289[deg].
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    After masthead
                                                                            Masthead lights    Forward masthead   light less than \1/     Percentage
                                                                          not over all other     light not in      2\ ship's length       horizontal
                       Vessel                               Number            lights and      forward quarter of    aft of forward        separation
                                                                             obstructions.      ship. Annex I,      masthead light.        attained
                                                                          Annex I, sec. 2(f)       sec. 3(a)      Annex I, sec. 3(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS INDEPENDENCE....................................                  LCS ..................                  X                   X                18.8
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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[[Page 29422]]

* * * * *

    Approved: June 11, 2009.
M. Robb Hyde,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. E9-14526 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
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