[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48764-48766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22578]


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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 VIRGINIA SSN 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 function as a naval ships. The 
intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 
COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective October 20, 2017 and is applicable 
beginning September 30, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
(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 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 SSN 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 a naval ship: Rule 23(a) and 
Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical placement of the 
masthead, light and Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to the 
masthead light being above and clear of all other lights and 
obstructions; Rule 30 (a), Rule 21(e), and Annex I, paragraph 2(k), 
pertaining to the vertical separation of the anchor lights, vertical 
placement of the forward anchor light above the hull, and the arc of 
visibility of all around lights; Rule 23 (a) and Annex I, paragraph 
3(b), pertaining to the location of the sidelights; and Rule 21(c), 
pertaining to the location and arc of visibility of the sternlight. 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 these vessels in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect these vessels' ability to perform their 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Vessels.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the DoN 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 by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS INDIANA (SSN 789);
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS INDIANA (SSN 789); and
0
c. In Table Four:
0
i. In paragraph 25, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS INDIANA (SSN 789); and
0
ii. In paragraph 26, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS INDIANA (SSN 789).
    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.

* * * * *

[[Page 48765]]



                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                 forward masthead light
            Vessel                  Number       below minimum required
                                                  height Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS INDIANA..................  SSN 789........                     2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
* * * * *

                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                                                               Anchor
                                                                                                  Side lights,  Stern light,     Forward       lights
                                                          Masthead     Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       anchor     relationship
                                                         lights arc      arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of      light,     of aft light
              Vessel                      Number             of        visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in    height above   to forward
                                                         visibility;   rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule     hull in      light in
                                                         rule 21(a)                               3(b) annex 1      21(c)     meters; 2(K)   meters 2(K)
                                                                                                                                 annex 1       annex 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS INDIANA.......................  SSN 789...........  ............  ............   206.0[deg]          4.37         11.05           2.8          0.30
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
* * * * *
    25. * * *

                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                masthead light below the
            Vessel                  Number      submarine identification
                                                         lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS INDIANA..................  SSN 789........                     0.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. * * *

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                                                             Obstruction angle relative to ship's headings
             Vessel                      Number       ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Forward anchor light            Aft anchor light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS INDIANA.....................  SSN 789............  172[deg] to 188[deg]........  359[deg] to 1[deg].
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[[Page 48766]]

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    Approved: September 30, 2017.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law Division).
    Dated: October 10, 2017.
A.M. Nichols,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-22578 Filed 10-19-17; 8:45 am]
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