[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3718-3720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01229]


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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 MONTGOMERY (LCS 8) 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 January 22, 2016 and is applicable 
beginning December 15, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Theron R. Korsak, 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 MONTGOMERY (LCS 8) 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 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(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 light; 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. 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 by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8);
0
b. In Table Four, under paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8);
0
c. In Table Four, under paragraph 16, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8); and
0
d. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8).

[[Page 3719]]

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 MONTGOMERY..................               LCS 8               4.91
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    15. * * *

                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Horizontal distances
                                                   from the fore and aft
             Vessel                    Number        centerline of the
                                                       vessel in the
                                                   athwartship direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS MONTGOMERY..................               LCS 8       1.31 meters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    16. * * *

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

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                    After masthead
                                                                            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 MONTGOMERY.........................................               LCS 8                                   X                   X                17.9
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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[[Page 3720]]

    APPROVED: December 15, 2015.
A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).

    Dated: January 14, 2016.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-01229 Filed 1-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P