[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 37 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8750-8751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4094]


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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 WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108) 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 February 26, 2009 and is applicable 
beginning February 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander M. Robb Hyde, 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 WAYNE E. 
MEYER (DDG 108) 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 as follow:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended as follows:
0
A. In Table Four, Paragraph 15 by adding, in numerical order, the

[[Page 8751]]

following entry for USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108):
0
B. In Table Four, Paragraph 16 by adding, in numerical order, the 
following entry for USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108):
0
C. In Table Five, by adding, in numerical order, the following entry 
for USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108):


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

* * * * *
Table Four
* * * * *
    15. * * *

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                                                                    Horizontal distance from the fore and aft
                Vessel                          Number             centerline of the vessel in the athwartship
                                                                                    direction
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS WAYNE E. MEYER...................  DDG 108................  1.84 meters.
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    16. * * *

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                Vessel                          Number             Obstruction angle relative ship's headings
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS WAYNE E. MEYER...................  DDG 108................  106.71 thru 112.50 [degrees].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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* * * * *
Table Five
* * * * *

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                                                                                                                         After masthead
                                                                                      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                                     Number                      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 WAYNE E. MEYER..............................  DDG 108...........................               X                X                X             14.5
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: February 11, 2009.
M. Robb Hyde
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
[FR Doc. E9-4094 Filed 2-25-09; 8:45 am]
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