[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36106-36107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15275]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2010-0535]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply 
Vessel SOUTHERN CROSS

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 SOUTHERN CROSS as 
required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternate Compliance was issued on June 7, 
2010.

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-2010-0535 in the ``Keyword'' box, pressing Enter, and 
then clicking ``Search.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call LTJG Christine Dimitroff, District Eight, Prevention Branch, U.S. 
Coast Guard, telephone 504-671-2176. If you have questions on viewing 
or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

[[Page 36107]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    A Certificate of Alternative Compliance, as allowed for under Title 
33, Code of Federal Regulation, Parts 81 and 89, has been issued for 
the offshore supply vessel SOUTHERN CROSS, O.N. 1223869. Full 
compliance with 72 COLREGS and the Inland Rules Act would hinder the 
vessel's ability to conduct loading and unloading operations, and would 
hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity to 
offshore platforms. 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 and would make the mast highly susceptible to 
damage during such operations. Therefore, the horizontal distance 
between the forward and aft masthead lights may be 23'-1\1/
8\, placing the aft masthead light over the pilot house.
    In addition, 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 10% inboard 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 side lights to be in a location which would be highly 
susceptible to damage from offshore platforms.
    Locating the side lights 7'- 9\5/8\ inboard 
from the greatest breadth of the vessel on the pilot house will provide 
a sheltered location for the lights and allow maneuvering within close 
proximity to offshore platforms.
    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.

    Dated: June 8, 2010.
RS Keister,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Inspections Section, By Direction 
of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2010-15275 Filed 6-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P