[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5827-5828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2636]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 and Maritime Law) has 
determined that USS HOWARD (DDG 83) 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: August 8, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain Richard T. Evans, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime 
Law), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Navy, 
1322 Patterson Ave., SE., Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, 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 and Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the 
Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS HOWARD (DDG 83) 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 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 2(f)(i), pertaining to the placement of the masthead light or 
lights above and clear of all other lights and obstructions. The Deputy 
Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law) 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 as 
follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


    2. Table Four, Paragraph 16 of Sec.  706.2 is amended by revising 
the following entry for USS HOWARD:


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

* * * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Obstruction angle relative
                              Vessel                                    Number             ship's headings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS HOWARD.......................................................          DDG 83       109.11 thru 112.50[deg]
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 5828]]


    3. Table Five of Sec.  706.2 is amended by revising the following 
entry for USS HOWARD:


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

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        After mast-head
                                                                                      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                                      No.              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 HOWARD.........................................................          DDG 83                X                X                X             14.6
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: August 8, 2002.
Richard T. Evans,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. 03-2636 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-U