[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36463-36465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13260]


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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 GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) 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 7, 2016 and is applicable beginning 
May 9, 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.

[[Page 36464]]

    This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
has certified that USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) 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(g), pertaining to the placement of the sidelights above the 
hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the placement of the 
forward masthead light in the forward quarter of the ship; Rule 21(a), 
pertaining to the placement of the masthead lights over the fore and 
aft centerline of the ship; and, Rule 21 (b), pertaining to the 
placement of the side lights arc of visibility. 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 Two, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78);
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78); and
0
c. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78).


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

* * * * *

                                                                        Table Two
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                                                                                                                                    Side
                                                                 Forward                  AFT anchor                   Side       lights,        Side
                                                    Masthead      anchor      Forward       light,                   lights,      distance     lights,
                                                    lights,       light,       anchor      distance    AFT anchor    distance    forward of    distance
                                                  distance to    distance      light,       below        light,       below       forward     inboard of
                Vessel                    No.       stbd of       below      number of;   flight dk    number of;   flight dk     masthead      ship's
                                                    keel in     flight dk       rule      in meters;      rule      in meters;    light in     sides in
                                                    meters;     in meters;    30(a)(i)   rule 21(e),   30(a)(ii)       Sec.       meters;      meters;
                                                   rule 21(a)      Sec.                      rule                  2(g), annex      Sec.         Sec.
                                                               2(K), annex                30(a)(ii)                     I       3(b), annex  3(b), annex
--------------------------------------------------------------------I----------------------------------------------------------------I------------I-----
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS GERALD R. FORD...................     CVN 78        31.57  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........         0.13  ...........  ...........
 
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                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                                                                Anchor
                                                                                                      Side lights                 Forward       lights
                                                                                                        distance      Stern        anchor     relation-
                                                                 Masthead   Side lights  Stern light   inboard of     light,       light,    ship of aft
                                                                lights arc     arc of       arc of       ship's      distance      height      light to
                      Vessel                           No.          of      visibility;  visibility;    sides in    forward of   above hull    forward
                                                               visibility;   rule 21(b)   rule 21(c)    meters;      stern in    in meters;    light in
                                                                rule 21(a)                             3(b) annex    meters;     2(K) annex    meters;
                                                                                                           1        rule 21(c)       1        2(K) annex
                                                                                                                                                  1
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USS GERALD R. FORD................................     CVN 78  ...........        115.6  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
 
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[[Page 36465]]



                                                   Table Five
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                                                                                  After masthead
                                                     Masthead         Forward       light less
                                                    lights not    masthead light    than \1/2\      Percentage
                                                  over all other  not in forward   ship's length    horizontal
             Vessel                     No.         lights and      quarter of    aft of forward    separation
                                                   obstructions;  ship; annex I,     masthead        attained
                                                   annex I, sec.     sec. 3(a)     light; annex
                                                       2(f)                         I, sec.3(a)
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS GERALD R. FORD..............          CVN 78  ..............               X  ..............  ..............
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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     Approved: May 9, 2016.
A.B. Fischer,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: May 31, 2016.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-13260 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P