[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3623-3625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31873]


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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 OMAHA (LCS 12) 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 January 12, 2017 and is applicable 
beginning December 12, 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.

[[Page 3624]]


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 OMAHA (LCS 12) 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.

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 OMAHA (LCS 12);
0
 b. In Table Four:
0
i. Under paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS OMAHA (LCS 12);
0
 ii. Under paragraph 16, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS OMAHA (LCS 12); and
0
c. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS OMAHA (LCS 12).


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

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                 forward masthead light
            Vessel                  Number       below minimum required
                                                 height.  Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS OMAHA....................  LCS 12.........                     4.27
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    15. * * *

                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Horizontal distances
                                                  from the fore and aft
            Vessel                  Number      centerline of the vessel
                                                   in the athwartship
                                                        direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS OMAHA....................  LCS 12.........      Upper--0.17 meters.
                                                    Middle--1.3 meters.
                                                     Lower--1.3 meters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    16. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Obstruction angle
            Vessel                  Number      relative ship's headings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              * * * * * * *
USS OMAHA....................  LCS 12.........    72[deg] thru 74[deg].
                                                286[deg] thru 288[deg].
 

[[Page 3625]]

 
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                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                    After mast-head
                                                                            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 OMAHA..............................  LCS 12.........................  ..................                  X                   X                17.3
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: December 12, 2016.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, USN, JAGC, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General (Admiralty 
and Maritime Law).
    Dated: December 27, 2016.
A.M. Nichols,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-31873 Filed 1-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P