[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25007-25009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09939]


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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 NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) 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 May 2, 2014 and is applicable beginning 
April 16, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Jocelyn Loftus-Williams, 
(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 NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) 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, Section 2(f)(i), pertaining to Virginia class submarine 
masthead light location below the submarine identification lights; 
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; Rule 30 (a) and Rule 21 (e), pertaining to arc of visibility 
of the forward and after anchor lights; 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 NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784);
0
b. In Table Three by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784);
0
c. In Table Four, under paragraph 25, add, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784); and
0
d. In Table Four, under paragraph 26, add, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784).

[[Page 25008]]

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 light
            Vessel                  Number        below minimum required
                                                  height Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS NORTH DAKOTA.............  SSN 784.........                     2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Three
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                          Forward
                                                                                              Side lights     Stern        anchor       Anchor lights
                                                         Masthead   Side lights  Stern light    distance      light,       light,      relation-ship of
                                                        lights arc     arc of       arc of     inboard of    distance      height        aft light to
             Vessel                       No.               of      visibility;  visibility;     ship's     forward of   above hull    forward light in
                                                       visibility;   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    sides in     stern in    in meters;   meters 2(K)  annex
                                                        rule 21(a)                            meters 3(b)    meters;     2(K) annex           1
                                                                                                 annex 1    rule 21(c)       1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS NORTH DAKOTA................  SSN 784............  ...........  ...........   210.0[deg]         4.37        11.05          2.8  0.30 below.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    25. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                   masthead light below
            Vessel                    No.             the submarine
                                                  identification lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS NORTH DAKOTA.............  SSN 784.........                     2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    26. * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Obstruction angle relative to ship's heading
               Vessel                           No.           --------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Forward anchor light        Aft anchor light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS NORTH DAKOTA....................  SSN 784................  172[deg] to 188[deg]      359[deg] to 1[deg]
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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[[Page 25009]]

* * * * *

    Approved: April 16, 2014.
A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: April 24, 2014.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal 
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-09939 Filed 5-1-14; 8:45 am]
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