[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11116-11118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04547]


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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 JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26) 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.

[[Page 11117]]


DATES: This rule is effective March 3, 2016 and is applicable beginning 
January 13, 2016.

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 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 JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26) 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 (i)(i), Rule 27 (a)(i) and (b)(i), pertaining to the 
placement of all-round task lights in a vertical line; Annex I, 
paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the horizontal distance between the 
forward and after masthead lights; and Annex I, paragraph 2(k) as 
described in Rule 30 (a)(i), pertaining to the vertical separation 
between anchor 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, 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:

     Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
0
a. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26);
0
b. In Table Four, paragraph 20., adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26); and
0
c. In Table Five, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS JOHN P MURTHA (LPD 26).


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

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                                             Forward
                                                      Masthead                                 Side lights  Stern light,     anchor       Anchor lights
                                                     lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,      relationship of
             Vessel                    Number            of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above    aft light to
                                                     visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in    forward light in
                                                     rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(k)     meters 2(k)
                                                                                              3(b) Annex 1      21(c)        Annex 1         Annex 1
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS JOHN P MURTHA..............  LPD 26...........  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............  1.72 below.
 
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* * * * *
    20. * * *

                                                   Table Four
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                                                                             Angle in degrees of task lights off
               Vessel                                Number                   vertical as viewed from directly
                                                                                       ahead or astern
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            USS JOHN P MURTHA                                LPD 26                                    10
 
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[[Page 11118]]



                                                                       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)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS JOHN P MURTHA......................  LPD 26.........................  ..................  ..................                  X                  71
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: January 13, 2016.
A.B. Fischer,
Commander, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: February 17, 2016.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer
[FR Doc. 2016-04547 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
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