[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68514-68515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30420]


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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) of the 
Navy has determined that USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) is a vessel of the 
Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply 
fully 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: January 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Dominick G. 
Yacono, 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) of the Navy, under authority 
delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS RONALD 
REAGAN (CVN 76) 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(a), pertaining to the placement of 
the masthead lights over the fore and aft centerline of the ship; Annex 
I, paragraph 2(g), pertaining to the placement of the sidelights above 
the hull; and Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the placement of 
the forward masthead light in the forward quarter of the ship. 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.

0
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 706 is amended as follows:

PART 706--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 706 continues to read:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605


Sec.  706.2  [Amended]

0
2. Table Two of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in numerical order, 
the following entry for USS RONALD REAGAN:

                                                                        Table Two
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                                                                                                                                     Side
                                                                       Forward               AFT anchor                             lights,      Side
                                                          Masthead     anchor                  light,                    Side      distance     lights,
                                                          lights,      light,      Forward    distance   AFT anchor    lights,    forward of   distance
                                                        distance to   distance     anchor       below      light,      distance     forward   inboard of
                  Vessel                      Number      stbd of       below      light,     flight dk  number of;     below      masthead     ship's
                                                          keel in     flight dk  number of;  in meters;     Rule      flight dk    light in    sides in
                                                          meters;    in meters;     Rule        Rule      30(a)(ii)   in meters;    meters;     meters;
                                                         Rule 21(a)     Sec.      30(a)(i)     21(e),                    Sec.        Sec.        Sec.
                                                                        2(K),                   Rule                 2(g), Annex     3(b),       3(b),
                                                                       Annex I                30(a)(ii)                   I         Annex I     Annex I
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USS RONALD REAGAN.........................           CVN-76  31,09   ..........  ..........  ..........  ..........        0.56   ..........  ..........
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[[Page 68515]]


0
3. Table Five of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in numerical order, 
the following entry for USS RONALD REAGAN:

                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                      After masthead
                                                                              Masthead lights    Forward masthead   light less than 1/
                                                                                not over all       light not in      2 ship's length       Percentage
                            Vessel                                  No.       other lights and  forward quarter of    aft of forward       horizontal
                                                                               obstructions.      ship. annex I,     masthead light.       separation
                                                                               annex I, sec.         sec. 3(a)        annex I, sec.        attained.
                                                                                    2(f)                                   3(a)
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USS RONALD REAGAN............................................             CVN.................                  X   .................  .................
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    Dated: January 30, 2003.
D.G. Yacono,
Lieutenant Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, 
General (Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. 03-30420 Filed 12-8-03; 8:45 am]
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