[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 112 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 28053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13777]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0393]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Crew Boat MR 
ZACHARY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative 
Compliance was issued for the crew boat MR ZACHARY as required by 33 
U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on May 3, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice is available for inspection or 
copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this 
docket on the Internet by going to http://www.regulations.gov, 
selecting the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the 
screen, inserting USCG-2009-0393 in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, 
and then clicking on the item in the Docket ID column.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call CWO2 David Mauldin, District Eight, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast 
Guard, telephone 504-671-2153. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Purpose

    The crew boat MR ZACHARY will be used for offshore supply 
operations. Full compliance with 72 COLREGS and the Inland Rules Act 
will hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity of 
offshore platforms. Due to the design of the vessel it would be 
difficult and impractical to build a supporting structure that would 
put the side lights within 3.1' from the greatest breadth of the 
Vessel, as required by Annex I, paragraph 3(b) of the 72 COLREGS and 
Annex I, Section 84.05(b), of the Inland Rules Act. Compliance with the 
rule would cause the lights on the crew boat MR ZACHARY to be in a 
location which will be highly susceptible to damage from offshore 
platforms. The crew boat MR ZACHARY cannot comply fully with lighting 
requirements as set out in international regulations without 
interfering with the special function of the vessel (33 U.S.C. 1605(c); 
33 CFR 81.18).
    Locating the side lights 6'2 inboard from the greatest 
breadth of the vessel on the pilot house will provide a shelter 
location for the lights and allow maneuvering within close proximity to 
offshore platforms. In addition, the forward masthead light may be 
located on the top forward portion of the pilothouse 18'-2 
above the hull. Placing the forward masthead light at the height as 
required by Annex I, paragraph 2(a) of the 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, 
Section 84.03(a) of the Inland Rules Act, would result in a masthead 
light location highly susceptible to damage when working in close 
proximity to offshore platforms. Furthermore, the horizontal distance 
between the forward and aft masthead lights may be 16'-9\15/
16\. Placing the aft masthead light at the horizontal 
distance from the forward masthead light as required by Annex I, 
paragraph 3(a) of the 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the 
Inland Rules Act, would result in an aft masthead light location 
directly over the aft cargo deck where it would interfere with loading 
and unloading operations.
    The Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the placement 
of the side lights to deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I, 
paragraph 3(b) of 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, paragraph 84.05(b) of the 
Inland Rules Act. In addition the Certificate of Alternative Compliance 
allows for the vertical placement of the forward masthead light to 
deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I, paragraph 2(a), and 
Annex I, Section 84.03(a) of the Inland Rules Act. Furthermore, the 
Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the horizontal 
separation of the forward and aft masthead lights to deviate from the 
requirements of Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, 
Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act.
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), and 33 
CFR 81.18.

    Dated: May 5, 2009.
Verne B. Gifford,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, By Direction of 
the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-13777 Filed 6-11-09; 8:45 am]
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