[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22322-22323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9668]


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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; change.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its 
certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect the 
conversion of several Navy vessels from ballistic missile submarines 
(SSBN) to guided missile submarines (SSGN). The Deputy Assistant Judge 
Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined 
that certain vessels of the SSGN Class are vessels of the Navy which, 
due to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with 
certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with their 
special function as naval ships. The intended effect of this rule is to 
warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective April 21, 2011 and is applicable 
beginning April 13, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Jaewon Choi, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy, Admiralty Attorney, (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 DoN amends 32 CFR part 706.
    This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
has certified that USS OHIO (SSBN 726), USS MICHIGAN (SSBN 727), USS 
FLORIDA (SSBN 728), and USS GEROGIA (SSBN 729) are vessels of the Navy 
which, due to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully 
comply with specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with 
their special function as naval ships. The vessels have been converted 
from SSBN's to SSGN's and this amendment will edit the classification 
of the vessels to accurately reflect their new designation as SSGN's. 
This amendment does not change the vessels' previously noted deviations 
from 72 COLREGS. The DAJAG (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 previous and unchanged technical findings 
that the placement of lights on these vessels in a manner differently 
from that prescribed herein will adversely affect the vessel's ability 
to perform its military functions. Furthermore, this amendment merely 
changes the classification of these vessels and does not reflect any 
changes to the placement of lights on any of these vessels.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), and Vessels.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, amend part 706 of title 
32 of the CFR 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 follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended as follows:
0
A. In Table One by amending, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, the following entries for the SSBN Class; and
0
B. In Table Three, by amending, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, the following entries for the SSBN Class:


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

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[[Page 22323]]



                                                    Table One
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                                                                                             Distance in meters
                                                                                             of forward masthead
                    Vessel                                        Number                     light below minimum
                                                                                               required height
                                                                                               2(a)(i) Annex 1
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USS OHIO......................................  SSGN 726..................................                  3.70
USS MICHIGAN..................................  SSGN 727..................................                  3.70
USS FLORIDA...................................  SSGN 728..................................                  3.70
USS GEORGIA...................................  SSGN 729..................................                  3.70
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                                                                       Table Three
                                                                        * * * * *
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                                                                                              Side lights                 Forward
                                                                                                distance                   anchor
                                                         Masthead                              inboard of  Stern light     light,       Anchor lights
                                                        lights arc  Side lights  Stern light     ship's      distance      height    relationship of aft
             Vessel                      Number             of         arc of       arc of      sides in    forward of   above hull    light to forward
                                                       visibility;  visibility;  visibility;    meters:      stern in    in meters;    light in meters;
                                                        rule 21(a)   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    Section      meters;      Section     Section 2(K) annex
                                                                                               3(b) annex   rule 21(c)   2(K) annex           1
                                                                                                   1                         1
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USS OHIO........................  SSGN 726...........     225[deg]   112.5[deg]     209[deg]          5.3          9.0          3.8  4.0 below.
USS MICHIGAN....................  SSGN 727...........     225[deg]     225[deg]     209[deg]          5.3          9.0          3.8  4.0 below.
USS FLORIDA.....................  SSGN 728...........  ...........  ...........     209[deg]          5.3          9.0          3.8  4.0 below.
USS GEORGIA.....................  SSGN 729...........     225[deg]  ...........     209[deg]          5.3          9.0          3.8  4.0 below.
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    Approved: April 13, 2011.
M. Robb Hyde,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: April 14, 2011.
D.J. Werner,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-9668 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
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