[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62438-62439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24221]


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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 AMERICA (LHA 6) 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 October 22, 2013 and is applicable 
beginning September 19, 2013.

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 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 AMERICA (LHA 6) 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 3(a) 
pertaining to the horizontal distance between the forward and aft 
masthead lights; Rule 21(a) pertaining to placement of masthead lights 
over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel; Annex I, paragraph 2(g) 
pertaining to the placement of sidelights above the hull of the vessel; 
and Annex I paragraph 3(b) pertaining to the location of fixture of 
side 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, 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 Two by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS AMERICA (LHA 6); and
0
B. In Table Five by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS AMERICA (LHA 6).


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

[[Page 62439]]

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                                                                        Table Two
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                                                           Forward                                                            Side lights,
                                                           anchor                    AFT anchor                 Side lights,    distance    Side lights,
                                            Masthead       light,        Forward       light,      AFT anchor     distance     forward of     distance
                                             lights,      distance       anchor       distance       light,     below flight     forward     inboard of
           Vessel               Number     distance to  below flight     light,     below flight   number of;       dk in       masthead    ship's sides
                                          stbd of keel      dk in      number of;       dk in         Rule      meters; Sec.    light in     in meters;
                                           in meters;   meters; Sec.      Rule      meters; Rule    30(a)(ii)        2(g),    meters; Sec.  Sec.   3(b),
                                           Rule 21(a)        2(K),      30(a)(i)     21(e), Rule                   Annex I         3(b),       Annex I
                                                           Annex I                    30(a)(ii)                                  Annex I
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS AMERICA.................  LHA 6.....          9.00  ............  ............  ............  ............           2.8          89.3  ............
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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* * * * *

                                                   Table Five
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                                                                                          After
                                                            Masthead                    masthead
                                                           lights not      Forward     light less
                                                            over all      masthead     than \1/2\    Percentage
                                                          other lights  light not in     ship's      horizontal
              Vessel                       Number             and          forward     length aft    separation
                                                         obstructions.   quarter of    of forward     attained
                                                         annex I, sec.   ship. annex    masthead
                                                              2(f)      I, sec. 3(a)  light. annex
                                                                                      I, sec. 3(a)
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS AMERICA.......................  LHA 6..............  .............             X             X          31.6
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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    Approved: September 19, 2013.
A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: September 25, 2013.
P.A. Richelmi,
Lieutenant, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Alternate 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-24221 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
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