[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 213 (Monday, November 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62412-62414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21586]


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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 STERETT

[[Page 62413]]

(DDG 104) 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.

DATES: This rule is effective November 5, 2007, and is applicable to 
August 1, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Gregg A. Cervi, 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 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 STERETT (DDG 104) 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 the placement of the masthead 
light or lights above and clear of all other lights and obstructions; 
Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(ii), pertaining to the vertical placement of 
task lights; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the location of the 
forward masthead light in the forward quarter of the ship, 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 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
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, amend part 706 of title 32 
of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 706--CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL 
REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

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

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Table Four, Paragraph 15 of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in 
numerical order, the following entry for USS STERETT:


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 STERETT.................  DDG 104........  1.88 meters.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
3. Table Four, Paragraph 16 of Sec.  706.2 is amended by adding, in 
numerical order, the following entry for USS STERETT:


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 STERETT.................  DDG 104........  106.82 THRU 112.50
                                                DEGREES.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


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

* * * * *

[[Page 62414]]



                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                     After masthead
                                                                            Forward masthead    Forward masthead   light less than \1/
                                                                             lights not over      light not in      2\ ship's length       Percentage
                Vessel                              Hull No.                all other lights   forward quarter of    aft of forward        horizontal
                                                                            and obstructions.    ship. Annex I,     masthead  light.       separation
                                                                           Annex I, sec. 2(f)       sec. 3(a)        Annex I,  sec.         attained
                                                                                                                          3(a)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS STERETT..........................  DDG 104...........................                  X                   X                   X                14.5
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: August 1, 2007.
Gregg A. Cervi,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
 [FR Doc. E7-21586 Filed 11-2-07; 8:45 am]
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