[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32002-32003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13754]


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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, as amended (72 COLREGS), to reflect 
that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law) has determined that USS DETROIT (LCS 7) 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 June 5, 2015 and is applicable beginning 
May 13, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Theron R. Korsak, (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), of the DoN, under authority delegated by the Secretary 
of the Navy, has certified that USS DETROIT (LCS 7) 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. 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), 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 by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS DETROIT (LCS 7); and
0
b. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS DETROIT (LCS 7).
    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.

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[[Page 32003]]



                                Table One
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                                                     Distance in meters
                                                     of forward masthead
                                                     light below minimum
              Vessel                     No.          required height.
                                                    Sec.   2(a)(i) annex
                                                              I
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                              * * * * * * *
USS DETROIT......................               LCS 7              6.80
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                              After masthead light
                                                                   Masthead lights not    Forward masthead       less than \1/2\
                                                                     over all other     light not in forward  ship's length aft of       Percentage
                     Vessel                            No.             lights and         quarter of ship.      forward masthead         horizontal
                                                                  obstructions.  annex   annex I, sec. 3(a)   light. annex I, sec.  separation  attained
                                                                      I, sec. 2(f)                                    3(a)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS DETROIT....................................               LCS ....................                    X                     X                  23.0
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    Approved: May 13, 2015.
 A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: May 27, 2015.
P.A. Richelmi,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-13754 Filed 6-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P