[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58399-58401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24188]


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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 (DoN)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 (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) 
has determined that USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3) 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 September 21, 2011 and is applicable 
beginning September 8, 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 FORT WORTH (LCS 3) 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(a)(i), pertaining to the location of the height of the 
forward masthead light above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), 
pertaining to the location of the forward masthead light, and the 
horizontal separation between the forward and after masthead lights; 
Annex I, paragraph 2(i)iii, pertaining to the spacing of the three 
lights in the task light array; Rule 27, paragraph (b)i, pertaining to 
the verticality of the three all-round task lights. 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 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.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Navy amends 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, add, in alpha numerical order by vessel number, an 
entry for USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3);
0
B. In Table Four, under paragraph 22 add, in alphanumerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3);
0
C. In Table Four, under paragraph 23 add, in alphanumerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3); and
0
D. In Table Five add, in alpha numerical order by vessel number, an 
entry for USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3).
    The additions read as follows:


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

* * * * *

[[Page 58400]]



                                                    Table One
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                                                                                          Distance in meters of
                                                                                         forward masthead light
                    Vessel                                      Number                   below minimum required
                                                                                         height. Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                                                                 Annex I
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS FORT WORTH................................  LCS 3.................................                    5.965
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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* * * * *
    22. * * *

                                                   Table Four
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                                                                           Vertical separation of the task light
                                                                              array is not equally spaced, the
                                                                             separation between the middle and
                 Vessel                                Number                   lower task light exceed the
                                                                              separation between the upper and
                                                                                      middle light by:
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS FORT WORTH..........................  LCS 3..........................  0.41 meter
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    23. * * *

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                                                               Verticality of lights,
                                                                when viewed directly     Verticality of lights,
                                                                  from the port or        when viewed directly
                                                                starboard, the lower     from the bow or stern,
              Vessel                         Number             task light is out of     the lower task light is
                                                              alignment with the upper    out of alignment with
                                                              and middle task light in    the upper and middle
                                                                     meters by:         task light in meters by:
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USS FORT WORTH...................  LCS 3....................  ........................                     0.21
 
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                                                                                           Table Five
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                                                                                                                                                After mast-head light
                                                                                          Masthead lights not over   Forward masthead light     less than 1/2 ship's
                     Vessel                                       Number                    all other lights and     not in forward quarter     length aft of forward     Percentage horizontal
                                                                                           obstructions. annex I,    of ship. annex I, sec.   masthead light. annex I,     separation attained
                                                                                                  sec. 2(f)                   3(a)                    sec. 3(a)
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                                                                                          * * * * * * *
USS FORT WORTH.................................  LCS 3..................................  ........................                        X                         X                        23
 
                                                                                          * * * * * * *
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[[Page 58401]]

    Approved: September 9, 2011.
M. Robb Hyde,
 Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).

    Dated: September 13, 2011.
J.M. Beal,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-24188 Filed 9-20-11; 8:45 am]
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