[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 708-709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-354]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 67

[CGD 95-052]
RIN 2115-AF15


Conformance of Lights on Artificial Islands and Fixes Structures, 
and Other Facilities to IALA Standards

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In keeping with the National Performance Review, the Coast 
Guard is reviewing its requirements for lights on artificial islands 
and fixed structures (such as oil rigs) and other facilities to bring 
them into conformance with the International Association of Lighthouse 
Authorities (IALA) standards. Also, the Coast Guard is reviewing its 
approval procedures and considering requiring manufacturers to have 
lighting equipment and fog signal emitters tested by independent 
laboratories. Adopting the IALA standards may enhance maritime safety 
by conforming to lighting standards which are easier for the mariner to 
understand. After consideration of the comments received, the Coast 
Guard may initiate a rulemaking project.

DATES: Comments are requested by February 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine 
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 95-052), U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-001, or may 
be delivered to room 3406 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 3 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (202) 267-1477.
    The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this 
request for comments. Comments will become part of this docket and will 
be available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG Chad Asplund, Short Range Aids to Navigation Division, Telephone: 
(202) 267-1386.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this request for comments by submitting written data, views, or 
arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their names and 
addresses, identify this notice (CGD 95-052) and the specific section 
of this notice to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of 
receipt of comments should enclosed stamped, self-addressed postcards 
or envelopes.

Background and Purpose

    In keeping with the National Performance Review, the Coast Guard is 
reviewing its standards for lighting equipment presently required on 
artificial islands, fixed structures, and other facilities. The Coast 
Guard is considering bringing the lighting standards into conformance 
with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) 
standards. In 1982, the United States, along with most of the world's 
other maritime nations, became a party to the agreement that 
established the IALA Maritime Buoyage 

[[Page 709]]
System (MBS). In 1985, the United States began harmonizing the United 
States Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) with the MBS.
    If the standards of IALA are adopted, the current candlepower for 
these lights would be revised to an ``area specific'' standard. These 
lights would still have to be visible for 90 percent of the nights of 
the year. The Coast Guard is also considering standardizing the 
approval procedures for optical and audio equipment for fog signal 
emitters.
    Presently, under 33 CFR part 67, all artificial islands and 
structures erected on or over the seabed and subsoil of the outer 
continental shelf (OCS) are marked as private aids to navigation. The 
obstruction lights prescribed are either a white or red, quick-
flashing, all-around light, depending on structure classification and 
background lighting. Multiple obstruction lights are required to flash 
in unison.
    The IALA standards define a quick-flashing, white light as a north 
cardinal mark. The present private aid system may be misleading to the 
mariner accustomed to the IALA system. The mariner accustomed to using 
a white, quick-flashing light as a cardinal mark might mistake a 
structure which is not a cardinal mark for a cardinal mark. To conform 
with IALA, each structure would retain the red or white light, but 
display a Morse code ``U'' (..-) rather than the quick flashing light.
    Current regulations in 33 CFR part 67, subpart 67.05 require that 
lights be of sufficient candlepower so as to be visible for a 
prescribed distance, corresponding to the structure's class, 90 percent 
of the nights of the year. Certain geographic regions have 
environmental conditions that preclude lights from meeting the above 
standard. The new standards might divide the country into separate 
regions to allow for differences in transmissivity and its effects on 
the range of visibility. For example, one region might include the 
First, Ninth, and Eleventh Coast Guard Districts, while the other 
region might include the remaining districts.
    The existing procedure in 33 CFR 67.05-10 that regulates lighting 
equipment states that manufacturers of lights must have their equipment 
approved by the District Commander and a permit must be issued before 
the equipment can be distributed. This procedure might be changed to 
require an independent laboratory to conduct the test. If so, the 
manufacturer would then forward the results to Commandant (G-NSR), U.S. 
Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Washington, D.C., 20593, for review.

Cost Information

    The Coast Guard is seeking additional information on the cost that 
could be associated with this project. Presently, the Coast Guard is 
consulting with Automatic Power Incorporated, Tideland Signal 
Corporation, and Sea Nav Corporation in an effort to estimate the 
economic impact that this project could have on manufacturers and 
users. The Coast Guard specifically requests comments from laboratories 
which conduct tests of lighting systems and fog signal emitters covered 
by part 67 regarding the costs of approvals.

Solicitation of Views

    The Coast Guard solicits comments from all segments of the marine 
community and other interested persons on these suggestions and 
recommended alternatives related to obstruction lighting on artificial 
islands, fixed structures, and other facilities. The Coast Guard is 
particularly interested in receiving information, views, data, and 
reasons on the following questions and areas of concern:
    1. Should these lights be changed to conform to IALA standards?
    Should the lights be charged to Morse ``U'' in accordance with IALA 
standards, or with another configuration?
    2. Should Class ``C'' structures be required to conform to IALA?
    3. Should fog signal and light inspection procedures be changed?
    Should the equipment approval procedures be changed to require 
testing by independent laboratories with results then forwarded to the 
Coast Guard?
    Would such a change increase or decrease costs and compliance time?
    4. What other factors should be considered in light of this 
proposed change?
    Is there any other information that you feel may be helpful in 
implementing this change with less impact on the affected persons?

    Dated: January 3, 1996.
J.A. Creech,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 96-354 Filed 1-9-96; 8:45 am]
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