[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 130 (Monday, July 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31717-31719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13960]


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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 certain vessels of the VIRGINIA SSN

[[Page 31718]]

Class are vessels of the Navy which, due to their special construction 
and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 
COLREGS without interfering with their special function as a naval 
ships. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters 
where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective July 10, 2017 and is applicable beginning 
June 15, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
(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 certain vessels of the SSN Class are vessels of the 
Navy which, due to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully 
comply with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with their special function as a naval ship: Rule 23(a) and 
Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical placement of the 
masthead, light and Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to VIRGINIA 
class submarine masthead light location below the submarine 
identification lights; Rule 30 (a)(i), Rule 21(e), and Annex I, 
paragraph 2(k), pertaining to the vertical separation of the anchor 
lights, vertical placement of the forward anchor light above the hull, 
and the arc of visibility of all around lights; Rule 23 (a) and Annex 
I, paragraph 3(b), pertaining to the location of the sidelights; and 
Rule 21(c), pertaining to the location and arc of visibility of the 
sternlight. 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 these vessels in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect these vessel's ability to perform their 
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 COLORADO (SSN 788);
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS COLORADO (SSN 788); and
0
c. In Table Four:
0
i. Under paragraph 25, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS COLORADO (SSN 788); and
0
ii. Under paragraph 26, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS COLORADO (SSN 788).
    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Distance in
                                                       meters of forward
                                                         masthead light
             Vessel                      Number          below minimum
                                                        required height
                                                         Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                            Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
USS COLORADO....................  SSN 788............               2.76
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                                           Table Three
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                                                                                                                                                              Anchor lights
                                                                                                              Side lights,    Stern light,   Forward anchor   relationship
                                                                Masthead       Side lights     Stern light      distance        distance      light, height   of aft light
               Vessel                        Number           lights arc of      arc of          arc of        inboard of      forward of     above hull in    to forward
                                                               visibility;     visibility;     visibility;    ship's sides      stern in      meters; 2(K)      light in
                                                               rule 21(a)      rule 21(b)      rule 21(c)    in meters 3(b)   meters; rule       annex 1       meters 2(K)
                                                                                                                 annex 1          21(c)                          annex 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                                          * * * * * * *
USS COLORADO.......................  SSN 788...............  ..............  ..............      205.0[deg]            4.37           11.05             2.8     0.30 below.
 
                                                                                          * * * * * * *
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    25. * * *

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                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Distance in
                                                           meters of
                                                         masthead light
             Vessel                      Number            below the
                                                           submarine
                                                         identification
                                                             lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS COLORADO....................  SSN 788............               0.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. * * *

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                                                                  Obstruction angle relative to ship's headings
                Vessel                          Number         -------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Forward anchor light       Aft anchor light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS COLORADO.........................  SSN 788................  172[deg] to 188[deg]...  359[deg] to 1[deg].
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* * * * *

    Approved: June 15, 2017.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law Division).
    Dated: June 27, 2017.
A.M. Nichols,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-13960 Filed 7-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P