[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14967-14968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8212]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
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 PARCHE (SSN 683) 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 vessel. The intended effect of this rule is to 
warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 20, 1996.

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 PARCHE (SSN 683) 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 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.
    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.

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.

    2. Table One of Sec. 706.2 is amended by revising the entry for USS 
PARCHE as follows:


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

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Distance in meters
                                                          of forward    
                                                        masthead light  
               Vessel                      No.           below minimum  
                                                       required height. 
                                                         Sec.  2(a)(i)  
                                                            Annex I     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
USS PARCHE.........................  SSN-683          3.58              
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Table Three of 706.2 is amended by revising the entry for USS 
PARCHE as follows:


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

* * * * *

[[Page 14968]]


                                                                        Table  3                                                                        
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                                                                                                                           Forward                      
                                                                                               Side lights     Stern        anchor       Anchor lights  
                                                          Masthead   Side lights  Stern light    distance      light,       light,      relationship of 
                                                         lights arc     arc of       arc of     inboard of    distance      height       aft light to   
              Vessel                        No.              of      visibility;  visibility;     ship's     forward of   above hull   forward light in 
                                                        visibility;   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    sides in     stern in    in meters;   meters 2(K) annex
                                                         rule 21(a)                            meters 3(b)    meters;     2(K) annex           1        
                                                                                                 annex 1     rule 21(c)       1                         
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                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
USS PARCHE........................  SSN-683                232 deg.   112.5 deg.     209 deg.          4.1          6.8          2.2  0.2 below.        
                                                                                                                                                        
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
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    Dated: March 20, 1996.

R.R. Pixa,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty).
[FR Doc. 96-8212 Filed 4-3-96; 8:45 am]
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