[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14606-14607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05159]


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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 PORTLAND (LPD 27) 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 March 22, 2017 and is applicable 
beginning March 2, 2017.

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.
    This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
has certified that USS PORTLAND (LPD 27) 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(i)(i), 
Rule 27(a)(i) and (b)(i), pertaining to the placement of all-round task 
lights in a vertical line; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the 
horizontal distance between the forward and after masthead lights; and 
Annex I, paragraph 2(k) as described in Rule 30(a)(i), pertaining to 
the vertical separation between anchor lights. 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:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.


0
2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
0
a. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS PORTLAND (LPD 27);
0
b. In Table Four, paragraph 20., adding, in alpha numerical order, by 
vessel number, an entry for USS PORTLAND (LPD 27); and
0
c. In Table Five, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS PORTLAND (LPD 27).
    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 Three
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                                                                                                                             Forward
                                                      Masthead                                 Side lights  Stern light,     anchor       Anchor lights
                                                     lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,      relationship of
             Vessel                      No.             of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above    aft light to
                                                     visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in    forward light in
                                                     rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(K)     meters 2(K)
                                                                                              3(b) annex 1      21(c)        annex 1         annex 1
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS PORTLAND....................  LPD 27..........  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............  1.55 below.
 
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* * * * *

Table Four

* * * * *
    20. * * *

[[Page 14607]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Angle in degrees of task
                                                 lights off the vertical
            Vessel                  Number       as viewed from directly
                                                     ahead or astern
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                              * * * * * * *
USS PORTLAND.................  LPD 27.........                       10
 
                              * * * * * * *
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                                                                       Table Five
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                                                                                                                         After masthead
                                                                                      Masthead lights      Forward      light less than
                                                                                        not over all    masthead light    \1/2\ ship's      Percentage
                                                                                        other lights    not in forward   length aft of      horizontal
                               Vessel                                     Number            and           quarter of        forward         separation
                                                                                       obstructions.    ship. Annex I,  masthead light.      attained
                                                                                       Annex I, sec.      sec. 3(a)      Annex I, sec.
                                                                                            2(f)                              3(a)
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS PORTLAND.......................................................          LPD 27   ...............  ...............               X               71
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Approved: March 2, 2017.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: March 8, 2017.
A.M. Nichols,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-05159 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P