[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13970-13971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5612]


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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 MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) 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 March 8, 2012 and is applicable beginning 
February 27, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Jaewon Choi, (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 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 MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) 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 vertical placement of the masthead 
light; Annex I, paragraph 2(k), pertaining to the vertical separation 
of the anchor lights and vertical placement of the forward anchor light 
above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(b), pertaining to the location of 
the sidelights; and Rule 21(c), pertaining to the location and arc of 
visibility of the sternlight. 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 DoN amends part 706 
of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations 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 adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782); and
0
B. In Table Three by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782).


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

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                                                    Table One
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                                                                                             Distance in meters
                                                                                             of forward masthead
                                                                                             light below minimum
                    Vessel                                        Number                      required height.
                                                                                               Sec.   2(a)(i),
                                                                                                   Annex I
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS MISSISSIPPI...............................  SSN 782...................................                  2.76
 
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[[Page 13971]]



                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                                            Forward
                                                     Masthead                                 Side lights  Stern light,     anchor       Anchor lights
                                                    lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,      relation-ship of
            Vessel                    Number            of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above     aft light to
                                                    visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in     forward light in
                                                    rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(K)  meters 2(K) annex
                                                                                             3(b) annex 1      21(c)        annex 1            1
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS MISSISSIPPI...............  SSN 782..........  ............  ............    209.0[deg]          4.37         11.05           2.8  0.30 below.
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    Approved: February 27, 2012.
M. Robb Hyde,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law.
J.M. Beal,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-5612 Filed 3-7-12; 8:45 am]
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