[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53272-53273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25312]



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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 Deputy 
Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty) of the Navy has determined 
that USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772) 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 
functions as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn 
mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain R.R. Pixa, 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 Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate 
General (Admiralty) of the Navy, under authority delegated by the 
Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772) is 
a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and 
purpose, cannot comply fully with the following specific provisions of 
72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a 

[[Page 53273]]
naval ship: Rule 21(c), pertaining to the arc of visibility of the 
sternlight; Annex I, section 2(a)(i), pertaining to the height of the 
masthead light; Annex I, section 2(k), pertaining to the height and 
relative positions of the anchor lights; and Annex I, section 3(b), 
pertaining to the location of the sidelights. The Deputy Assistant 
Judge Advocate General (Admiralty) has also certified that the 
aforementioned lights are located in closest possible compliance with 
the applicable 72 COLREGS requirements.
    Notice is also provided that USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772) is a member 
of the SSN 688 class of vessels for which certain exemptions, pursuant 
to 72 COLREGS, Rule 38, have been previously authorized by the 
Secretary of the Navy. The exemptions pertaining to that class, found 
in the existing table of Sec. 706.3, are equally applicable to USS 
GREENEVILLE (SSN 772).
    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), 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 One of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following 
vessel:

                                Table One                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Distance in 
                                                             meters of  
                                                              forward   
                                                          masthead light
               Vessel                         No.          below minimum
                                                             required   
                                                           height. Sec. 
                                                           2(a)(i) Annex
                                                                 I      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS GREENEVILLE.....................  SSN-772...........             3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Table 3 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following vessel:

                                                                         Table 3                                                                        
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                                                                                             Side lights                 Forward                        
                                                                                               distance      Stern        anchor                        
                                                        Masthead   Side lights  Stern light   inboard of     light,       light,        Anchor lights   
                                                       lights arc     arc of       arc of       ship's      distance      height     relationship of aft
              Vessel                      No.              of      visibility;  visibility;    sides in    forward of   above hull    light to forward  
                                                      visibility;   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    meters;      stern in    in meters;    light in meters;  
                                                       rule 21(a)                             3(b) annex    meters;     2(K) annex      2(K) annex 1    
                                                                                                  1        rule 21(c)       1                           
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USS GREENEVILLE..................  SSN-772            ...........  ...........          209          4.4          6.1          3.4  1.7 below.          
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    Dated: September 26, 1995.
C.E. Schaff,
LCDR, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Acting Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty).
[FR Doc. 95-25312 Filed 10-12-95; 8:45 am]
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