[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47809-47810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22357]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0744]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply 
Vessel TYLER STEPHEN

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 offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen as 
required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on July 29, 
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, 
inserting USCG-2009-0744 in the ``Keyword'' box, and then clicking 
``Search.''

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 offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen 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 5.4' 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 offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen 
to be in a location which will be highly susceptible to damage from 
offshore platforms. The offshore supply vessel Tyler Stephen 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'- 9\5/8\'' 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 horizontal distance between the forward and aft 
masthead lights may be 23'-1 \1/8\''. 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 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.


[[Page 47810]]


    Dated: August 10, 2009.
J.W. Johnson,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Inspections and Investigations 
Branch, By Direction of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-22357 Filed 9-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P