[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9104-9105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5329]



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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 SEAWOLF (SSN 21) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its 
special construction and purpose,

[[Page 9105]]

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: December 26, 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 SEAWOLF (SSN 21) is a 
vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, 
cannot fully comply with the following specific provisions of 72 
COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship: 
Rule 21(b), pertaining to the arc of visibility of the sidelights; 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.
    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), and Vessels.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR Part 706 is amended as follows:

PART 706--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 32 CFR Part 706 continues to read:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.

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


Sec. 706.2  Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under Executive 
Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

                                Table One                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of 
                                                 forward masthead light 
             Vessel                   No.        below minimum required 
                                                 height; Sec.  2(a)(i), 
                                                         annex I        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
*                  *                  *                  *              
                  *                  *                  *               
USS SEAWOLF....................  SSN-21                            4.62 
*                  *                  *                  *              
                  *                  *                  *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


Sec. 706.2  Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under Executive 
Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

                                                                         Table 3                                                                        
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                                                                                                Side lights                 Forward                     
                                                                                                  distance      Stern        anchor      Anchor lights  
                                                   Masthead       Side lights     Stern light    inboard of     light,       light,     relationship of 
                                                 lights arc of      arc of          arc of         ship's      distance      height       aft light to  
            Vessel                    No.         visibility;     visibility;     visibility;     sides in    forward of   above hull   forward light in
                                                  rule 21(a)      rule 21(b)      rule 21(c)      meters;      stern in    in meters;    meters; 2(K),  
                                                                                                3(b), annex    meters;    2(K), annex       annex 1     
                                                                                                     1        rule 21(c)       1                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
USS SEAWOLF...................  SSN-21          225 deg.        118.3 deg.      205 deg.                5.1         10.7          2.8  1.8 below        
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
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    Dated: December 26, 1995.
R.R. Pixa,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty).

[FR Doc. 96-5329 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
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