[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81788-81789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27835]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0965]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the TUG MAXWELL PAUL 
MORAN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the First District Prevention 
Department's Inspections and Investigations Division has issued a 
Certificate of Alternate Compliance (COAC) from the International 
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) for the 
TUG MAXWELL PAUL MORAN as required by statue. Due to its operations as 
a harbor assistance and escort vessel it cannot fully comply with the 
sidelight, stern light, and towing light provisions of the 72 COLREGS 
without interfering with its ability to make up and assist other 
vessels. This notice promotes the Coast Guard's maritime safety and 
stewardship missions.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in the preamble are part of docket USCG-
2016-0965. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and 
click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associate 
with this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email Mr. Kevin Miller, First District Towing 
Vessel/Barge Safety Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (617) 223-
8272, email <[email protected]>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The United States is signatory to the International Maritime 
Organization's International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at 
Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), as amended. The special construction or purpose 
of some vessels makes them unable to comply with the light, shape, and 
sound signal provisions of the 72 COLREGS. Under statutory law \1\ and 
Coast Guard regulation,\2\ a vessel may instead meet alternative 
requirements and the vessel's owner, builder, operator, or agent may 
apply for a COAC. For vessels of special construction, the cognizant 
Coast Guard District Office determines whether the vessel for which the 
COAC is sought complies as closely as possible with the 72 COLREGS, and 
decides whether to issue the COAC. Once issued, a COAC remains valid 
until information supplied in the COAC application or the COAC terms 
become inapplicable to the vessel. Under the governing statute \3\ and 
regulation,\4\ the Coast Guard must publish notice of this action.
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    \1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
    \3\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \4\ 33 CFR 81.18.
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    The Prevention Department's Inspection and Investigation Division, 
U.S. Coast Guard First District hereby finds and certifies that the TUG 
MAXWELL PAUL MORAN is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and 
that, with respect to the position of the

[[Page 81789]]

navigation and towing lights, it is not possible to comply fully with 
the requirements of the provisions enumerated in the 72 COLREGS, 
without interfering with the normal operation of the vessel. The 
Prevention Department's Inspection and Investigation Division, U.S. 
Coast Guard First District further finds and certifies that the 
sidelights (13' 5.25'' from the vessel's side mounted on the pilot 
house) and stern/towing lights (3' 5.75'' aft of frame 20 mounted on 
top of the pilot house) are in the closet possible compliance with the 
applicable provisions of the 72 COLREGS and that full compliance with 
the 72 COLREGS would not significantly enhance the safety of the 
vessel's operation.
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.

    Dated: November 3, 2016.
B.L. Black,
Captain, Chief, Prevention Department, First District, U.S. Coast 
Guard.
[FR Doc. 2016-27835 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P