[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54737-54739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19600]


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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 GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) 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 August 17, 2016 and is applicable 
beginning August 9, 2016.

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 GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) 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 height of the forward masthead 
light 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), 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.

[[Page 54738]]


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 GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10);
0
b. In Table Four, under paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10);
0
c. In Table Four, under paragraph 16, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10); and
0
d. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10).
    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.

* * * * *

                                                    Table One
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                                                                       Distance in meters of  forward masthead
                 Vessel                              No.              light below  minimum required  height Sec.
                                                                                    2(a)(i) annex I
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS.................  LCS 10....................  4.91
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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* * * * *
    15. * * *

                                                   Table Four
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                                                                     Horizontal distances from  the fore and aft
                 Vessel                              No.                   centerline  of the vessel in the
                                                                           athwartship direction  (meters)
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS.................  LCS 10....................  Upper--0.16.
                                                                     Middle--1.2.
                                                                     Lower--1.2.
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* * * * *
    16. * * *

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                 Vessel                              No.              Obstruction angle relative ship's headings
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                                                  * * * * * * *
USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS.................  LCS 10....................  71[deg] thru 73[deg].
                                                                     76[deg] thru 78[deg].
                                                                     287[deg] thru 289[deg].
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                    After  masthead
                                                                            Masthead  lights   Forward  masthead  light  less than 1/
                                                                             not  over all       light  not in     2  ship's length       Percentage
                    Vessel                                 No.             other  lights and   forward  quarter     aft of forward        horizontal
                                                                              obstructions;   of ship;  annex I,   masthead  light,       separation
                                                                             annex I,  sec.        sec. 3(a)        annex I,  sec.         attained
                                                                                  2(f)                                   3(a)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS.......................  LCS 10....................  .................                  X                   X                17.9
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[[Page 54739]]

    Approved: August 9, 2016.
C.J. Spain,
 Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law), 
Acting.
    Dated: August 11, 2016.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-19600 Filed 8-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P