Document ID: USCG-2009-0744-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply Vessel TYLER STEPHEN (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2009-09-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register: September 17, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 179)]
[Notices]
[Page 47809-47810]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se09-54]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0744]

Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply
Vessel TYLER STEPHEN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative
Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen as
required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on July 29,
2009.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice is available for inspection or
copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this
docket on the Internet by going to http://www.regulations.gov,
inserting USCG-2009-0744 in the ``Keyword'' box, and then clicking
``Search.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice,
call CWO2 David Mauldin, District Eight, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast
Guard, telephone 504-671-2153. If you have questions on viewing or
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    The offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen will be used for offshore
supply operations. Full compliance with 72 COLREGS and the Inland Rules
Act will hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity
of offshore platforms. Due to the design of the vessel, it would be
difficult and impractical to build a supporting structure that would
put the side lights within 5.4' from the greatest breadth of the
Vessel, as required by Annex I, paragraph 3(b) of the 72 COLREGS and
Annex I, Section 84.05(b), of the Inland Rules Act. Compliance with the
rule would cause the lights on the offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen
to be in a location which will be highly susceptible to damage from
offshore platforms. The offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen cannot
comply fully with lighting requirements as set out in international
regulations without interfering with the special function of the vessel
(33 U.S.C. 1605(c); 33 CFR 81.18).
    Locating the side lights 6'- 9\5/8\'' inboard from the greatest
breadth of the vessel on the pilot house will provide a shelter
location for the lights and allow maneuvering within close proximity to
offshore platforms.
    In addition, the horizontal distance between the forward and aft
masthead lights may be 23'-1 \1/8\''. Placing the aft masthead light at
the horizontal distance from the forward masthead light as required by
Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of the 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, Section
84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act, would result in an aft masthead light
location directly over the aft cargo deck, where it would interfere
with loading and unloading operations.
    The Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the placement
of the side lights to deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I,
paragraph 3(b) of 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, paragraph 84.05(b) of the
Inland Rules Act. In addition the Certificate of Alternative Compliance
allows for the horizontal separation of the forward and aft masthead
lights to deviate from the requirements of Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of
72 COLREGS, and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act.
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), and 33
CFR 81.18.

[[Page 47810]]

    Dated: August 10, 2009.
J.W. Johnson,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Inspections and Investigations
Branch, By Direction of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-22357 Filed 9-16-09; 8:45 am]

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