[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58009-58010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28865]


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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

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 ROSS (DDG 71) 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 
function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn 
mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander M.W. Kerns, JAGC, 
U.S. Navy, Associate 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 ROSS (DDG 71) 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: Annex I, 
paragraph 2(f)(i) pertaining to placement of the masthead light or 
lights above and clear of all other lights and obstructions; Annex I, 
paragraph 3(a) pertaining to the location of the forward masthead light 
in the forward quarter of the vessel, and the horizontal distance 
between the forward and after masthead lights; and, Annex I, paragraph 
3(c) pertaining to placement of task lights not less than two meters 
from the fore and aft centerline of the ship in the athwartship 
direction. The Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty) has 
also certified that the lights involved 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 Four, Paragraph 15 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the 
following entry for USS ROSS:


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

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Horizontal distance 
                                                   from the fore and aft
         Vessel                   Number             centerline of the  
                                                       vessel in the    
                                                   athwartship direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
USS ROSS                  DDG 71................  1.96 meters.          
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Table Four, Paragraph 16 of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the 
following entry for USS ROSS:


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

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Obstruction angle  
         Vessel                   Number              relative ship's   
                                                         headings       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
USS ROSS                  DDG 71................  104.05 thru 112.50    
                                                   deg.                 
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Table Five of Sec. 706.2 is amended by adding the following 
entry for USS ROSS:


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

* * * * *

                                                   Table Five                                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 After masthead                 
                                              Masthead lights      Forward      light less than                 
                                                not over all    masthead light    \1/2\ ship's      Percentage  
                                                other lights    not in forward   length aft of      horizontal  
        Vessel                 Number               and           quarter of        forward         separation  
                                               obstructions.    ship. annex I,  masthead light.      attained   
                                               annex I, sec.      sec. 3(a)      annex I, sec.                  
                                                    2(f)                              3(a)                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
USS ROSS                DDG 71..............               X                X                X             20.6 
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
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[[Page 58010]]

    Dated: October 16, 1996.
M.W. Kerns,
Acting Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty).
[FR Doc. 96-28865 Filed 11-8-96; 8:45 am]
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