[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 127 (Friday, July 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43077-43079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15359]


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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 certain vessels of the VIRGINIA SSN Class are 
vessels of the Navy which, due to their special construction and 
purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS 
without interfering with their special function as a naval ships. The 
intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 
COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective July 1, 2016 and is applicable beginning 
June 21, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Theron R. Korsak,

[[Page 43078]]

(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 certain vessels of the SSN Class are vessels of the 
Navy which, due to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully 
comply with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with their special function as a naval ship: Annex I, 
paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical placement of the masthead 
light; Annex I, paragraph 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; 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 these vessels in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect these vessel's ability to perform their 
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, 
the following entries for the SSN class;
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
the following entries for the SSN class;
0
c. In Table Four, paragraph 25, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, the following entries for the SSN class; and
0
d. In Table Four, paragraph 26, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, the following entries for the SSN class.


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

* * * * *

                                Table One
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                                                          Distance in
                                                       meters of forward
                                                         masthead light
             Vessel                      Number          below minimum
                                                        required height.
                                                         Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                            Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS Illinois....................  SSN 786............               2.76
USS Washington..................  SSN 787............               2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                                           Table Three
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                                                                                                                    Side lights,    Stern light,       Forward
                                                                      Masthead       Side lights     Stern light      distance        distance      anchor light,   Anchor lights  relationship
                                                                    lights arc of      arc of          arc of        inboard of      forward of     height above     of  aft light to  forward
                Vessel                            Number             visibility;     visibility;     visibility;    ship's sides      stern in         hull in      light in  meters 2(K)  annex
                                                                     rule 21(a)      rule 21(b)      rule 21(c)      in  meters     meters;  rule   meters; 2(K)                 1
                                                                                                                    3(b)  annex 1       21(c)          annex 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                                          * * * * * * *
USS Illinois..........................  SSN 786..................  ..............  ..............      205.0[deg]            4.37           11.05             2.8  0.30 below.
USS Washington........................  SSN 787..................  ..............  ..............      206.8[deg]            4.37           11.05             2.8  0.30 below.
 
                                                                                          * * * * * * *
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* * * * *
    25. * * *

[[Page 43079]]



                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Distance in
                                                             meters of
                                                          masthead light
              Vessel                       Number            below the
                                                             submarine
                                                          identification
                                                               lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS Illinois......................  SSN 786.............            0.81
USS Washington....................  SSN 787.............            0.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. * * *

                                                   Table Four
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                                                               Obstruction angle relative to ship's headings
              Vessel                        Number        ------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Forward anchor light          Aft anchor light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS Illinois......................  SSN 786..............  172[deg] to 188[deg]......  359[deg] to 1[deg].
USS Washington....................  SSN 787..............  172[deg] to 188[deg]......  359[deg] to 1[deg].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Approved: June 21, 2016.
C. J. Spain,
Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law), 
Acting.
    Dated: June 23, 2016.
N. A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-15359 Filed 6-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P