[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44784-44785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22472]


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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 CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) 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: 10 August 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain R.R. Pixa, JAGC, U.S. Navy 
Admiralty Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Washington 
Navy Yard, 1322 Patterson Avenue SE, Suite 3000, Washington DC 20374-
5066, Telephone number: (202) 685-5040.

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 CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) 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), 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 adding, in numerical 
order, the following entry for USS CONNECTICUT:


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

* * * * *

[[Page 44785]]



                                Table One                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Distance in 
                                                             meters of  
                                                              forward   
                                                          masthead light
                  Vessel                       Number      below minimum
                                                             required   
                                                           height. Sec. 
                                                           2(a)(i) Annex
                                                                 I      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
*                  *                  *                  *              
USS CONNECTICUT..........................  SSN 22                   4.62
                                                                        
*                  *                  *                  *              
                  *                  *                  *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Table Three of 706.2 is amended by adding, in numerical order, 
the following entry for USS CONNECTICUT:


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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                                                                                                                           Forward                      
                                                    Masthead                                 Side lights  Stern light,     anchor        Anchor lights  
                                                   lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,       relationship of 
             Vessel                    No.             of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above     aft light to   
                                                   visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in     forward light in 
                                                   rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(K)   meters 2(K) annex
                                                                                            3(b) annex 1      21(c)        annex 1             1        
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                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
USS CONNECTICUT................  SSN 22              232 deg.    112.8 deg.      207 deg.           5.1          10.7           2.8   1.63 below.       
                   *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                  
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    Dated: August 10, 1998.
G.A. Cervi,
Lieutenant Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Acting Deputy Assistant Judge 
Advocate General (Admiralty)
[FR Doc. 98-22472 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
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