[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74113-74115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30140]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 CORONADO (LCS 4) 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 December 13, 2012 and is applicable 
beginning December 4, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Jocelyn Loftus-Williams, 
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 CORONADO (LCS 4) 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 forward masthead light at a height 
not less than 12 meters above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), 
pertaining to the location of the forward masthead light in the forward 
quarter of the ship, and the horizontal distance between the forward 
and after masthead lights; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to 
the placement of the masthead light or lights above and clear of all 
other lights and obstructions; Annex I, paragraph 3(c), pertaining to 
the task light's horizontal distance from the fore and aft centerline 
of the vessel in the athwartship direction; and Rule 21(a), pertaining 
to the arc of visibility of the aft masthead light. 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 CORONADO (LCS 4);
0
B. In Table Four, Paragraph 15 by adding, in alpha numerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS CORONADO (LCS 4);
0
C. In Table Four, Paragraph 16 by adding, in alpha numerical order by 
vessel number, an entry for USS CORONADO (LCS 4); and
0
D. In Table Five by adding, in alpha numerical order by vessel number, 
an

[[Page 74114]]

entry for USS CORONADO (LCS 4). 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.

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Distance in meters of
                                                      forward masthead
            Vessel                    Number        light below minimum
                                                   required height  Sec.
                                                       2(a)(i) Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS CORONADO..................  LCS 4............                  4.91
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    Table Four
* * * * *
    15. * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Horizontal distance from the fore and
                  Vessel                              Number               aft centerline of the vessel in the
                                                                                  athwart-ship direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS CORONADO.............................  LCS 4.......................  1.31 meters
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    16. * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Obstruction angle relative ship's
                  Vessel                              Number                             headings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS CORONADO.............................  LCS 4.......................  71[deg] thru 73[deg].
                                                                         76[deg] thru 78[deg].
                                                                         287[deg] thru 289[deg].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   After mast- head
                                                                            Masthead lights    Forward masthead   light less than \1/     Percentage
                                                                          not over all other     light not in      2\ ship's length       horizontal
                  Vessel                               Number                 lights and      forward quarter of    aft of forward        separation
                                                                             obstructions.      ship. annex I,      masthead light.        attained
                                                                          annex I, sec. 2(f)       sec. 3(a)      annex I, sec. 3(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS CORONADO..............................  LCS 4.......................  ..................                  X                   X                17.9
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 74115]]

    Approved: December 4, 2012.
A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: December 5, 2012.
C.K. Chiappetta,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-30140 Filed 12-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P