[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26025]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 21, 1994]


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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; Amendment

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 Judge 
Advocate General of the Navy has determined Large Harbor Tugs YTB 780 
and YTB 789 are vessels of the Navy which, due to their special 
construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with certain provisions 
of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with their special functions as 
Large Harbor Tugs. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners 
in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 9, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander K.P. McMahon, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy Admiralty Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate General Navy 
Department, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-2400, Telephone 
number: (703) 325-9744.

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 Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 
under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, has certified 
that Large Harbor Tugs YTB 780 and YTB 789 are vessels of the Navy 
which, due to their special construction and purpose, cannot comply 
fully with 72 COLREGS: Rule 21(c), pertaining to the location and arc 
of visibility of the sternlight; Rule 24(c), pertaining to the towing 
lights displayed by power driven vessels when pushing ahead or towing 
alongside; Rule 27(b)(i), pertaining to the lights displayed by vessels 
restricted in their ability to maneuver; Annex I, section 2(a)(i), 
pertaining to the height above the hull of the masthead light; and 
Annex I, section 3(b), pertaining to the placement of the sidelights, 
without interfering with their special functions as Large Harbor Tugs. 
YTB 780 and YTB 789 are tugs of special construction and functions. 
They perform towing services for naval vessels.
    In the case of these tugs, the mast is hinged and is lowered only 
when the tugs are actually engaged in towing alongside or pushing ships 
having radically flared bows or sponsoned sides and sterns. When the 
mast is in the lowered position, the masthead lights, and task lights 
mounted on this mast, cannot be displayed. During such operations only 
the pilot house top-mounted auxiliary masthead light, sidelights, and 
sternlight will be exhibited.
    The Judge Advocate General of the Navy has also certified that the 
aforementioned lights 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 the vessels ability to perform their 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (Water), and Vessels.

PART 706--[AMENDED]

    Accordingly, 32 CFR Part 706 is amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 32 CFR Part 706 continues to read:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.


Sec. 706.2  [Amended]

    2. Table Three of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following 
vessel:

                                                                       Table Three                                                                      
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                                                                                                         Side                                  Anchor   
                                                                                                       lights,       Stern       Forward       lights,  
                                                                Masthead       Side        Stern       distance      light,       anchor    relationship
                                                              lights, arc  lights, arc   light, arc   inboard of    distance      light,    of aft light
                    Vessel                           No.           of           of           of         ship's     forward of     height     to forward 
                                                              visibility;  visibility;  visibility;    sides in     stern in    above hull    light in  
                                                              rule 21(a)   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)     meters;      meters;     in meters;  meters; Sec.
                                                                                                      Sec. 3(b)   rule 21(c)    Sec. 2(K)   2(K) annex 1
                                                                                                       annex 1                   annex 1                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAUGUS.........................................      YTB 780  ...........  ...........  ...........         2.79        13.78  ...........  ............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [No modification to Table Three is necessary for YTB 789.]


Sec. 706.2  [Amended]

     3. Paragraph 14, Table Four of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the 
following vessel:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of 
                                                   aux. masthead light  
                   Vessel No.                     below minimum required
                                                  height. Annex I, sec. 
                                                         2(a)(i)        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
YTB 780........................................                    3.53 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Paragraph 14, Table Four of Sec. 706.2 is amended by revising 
the information on the following vessel as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of 
                                                   aux. masthead light  
                   Vessel No.                     below minimum required
                                                  height. Annex I, sec. 
                                                         2(a)(i)        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 YTB 789.......................................                     3.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dated: August 9, 1994.
H.E. Grant,
Rear Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Judge Advocate General.
[FR Doc. 94-26025 Filed 10-20-94; 8:45 am]
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