[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 15368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06089]



[[Page 15368]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0191]


 Certificate of Alternate Compliance for the Gladding-Hearn Hulls 
418 and 419

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternate 
Compliance (COAC) was issued for the GLADDING-HEARN HULLS 418 AND 419. 
We are issuing this notice because its publication is required by 
statute.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternate Compliance was issued on March 14, 
2017.

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 Coast Guard encourages the use of two masthead lights on power-
driven vessels less than 50 meters in length in accordance with ``The 
Boating Safety Circular'' 75, June 1993, page 15. The Commandant, U.S. 
Coast Guard, certifies that the Gladding-Hearn Hulls 418 and 419 are 
vessels of special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to 
the position of the two masthead 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. 
This certificate authorizes the placement of these vessels' two 
masthead lights to not meet the minimum horizontal separation 
requirements specified in Annex I of 72 COLREGS. All other navigational 
lighting dimensions will remain in compliance with 72 COLREGS, 
including vertical separation required for masthead lights and 
sidelights.
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.

    Dated: March 14, 2017.
B.L. Black,
Chief, Prevention Department, First District, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2017-06089 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P