[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5828-5829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2637]


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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 and Maritime Law) has 
determined that USS PREBLE (DDG 88) 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: May 31, 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 PREBLE (DDG 88) 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; 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; 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; and Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(ii), pertaining to 
the vertical placement of task lights. 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 15 of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in 
numerical order, the following entry for USS PREBLE:


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

* * * * *

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                                                                                    Horizontal distance from the
                                                                                     fore and aft centerline of
                              Vessel                                    Number            the vessel in the
                                                                                        athwartship direction
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS PREBLE.......................................................          DDG 88                   1.93 meters
                                                  * * * * * * *
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[[Page 5829]]


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


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

* * * * *

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                                                                                     Obstruction angle relative
                              Vessel                                    Number             ship's headings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS PREBLE.......................................................          DDG 88       109.20 thru 112.50[deg]
                                                  * * * * * * *
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    4. Table Five of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in numerical 
order, the following entry for USS PREBLE:


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

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                        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)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS PREBLE.........................................................          DDG 88                X                X                X             14.7
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Dated: May 31, 2002.
Richard T. Evans,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. 03-2637 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
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