[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35898-35900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16257]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 MANCHESTER (LCS 14) 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 August 2, 2017 and is applicable 
beginning July 25, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
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.

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 MANCHESTER (LCS 14) 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; Rule 21(a) and Annex I, paragraph 9(b), 
pertaining to the visibility of tasks lights (restricted 
maneuverability) obstructions; Rule 27(b)(i) and Annex I, paragraph 
9(b)(i), pertaining to the arc of visibility of middle tasks 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), and 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:
0
a. In Table One, by adding in alpha numerical order by vessel number, 
an entry for USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14);
0
b. In Table Four, under paragraph 15, by adding in alpha numerical 
order by vessel number, an entry for USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14);
0
c. In Table Four, under paragraph 16, by adding in alpha numerical 
order by vessel number, an entry for USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14);
0
d. In Table Four, under paragraph 27, by adding in alpha numerical 
order by vessel number, an entry for USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14); and
0
e. In Table Five, by adding in alpha numerical order by vessel number, 
an entry for USS MANCHESTER (LCS 14).
    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.

* * * * *

[[Page 35899]]



                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Distance in meters  of
                                                 forward masthead  light
            Vessel                    No.        below minimum  required
                                                 height. Sec.   2(a)(i),
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS MANCHESTER................  LCS 14                              4.3
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    15. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Horizontal
                                                      distances from the
                                                         fore and aft
             Vessel                      No.          centerline of the
                                                        vessel in the
                                                         athwartship
                                                          direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS MANCHESTER..................  LCS 14             Upper--0.16 meters.
                                                     Middle--1.27
                                                      meters.
                                                     Lower--1.24 meters.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    16. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Obstruction angle
             Vessel                      No.           relative ship's
                                                           headings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS MANCHESTER..................  LCS 14             72[deg] thru
                                                      74[deg].
                                                     286[deg] thru
                                                      288[deg].
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    27. On the following ships, the arc of visibility of the middle 
task light (restricted maneuverability), required by the rule 27(b)(i) 
and Annex I, paragraph 9(b)(i), may be obstructed at the following 
angles relative to ship's heading;

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Obstruction angle
             Vessel                      No.            relative ship
                                                           heading
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS MANCHESTER..................  LCS 14             47[deg] thru
                                                      59[deg].
                                                     301[deg] thru
                                                      313[deg].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

[[Page 35900]]



                                                                       Table Five
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    After masthead
                                                                            Masthead lights    Forward masthead     light less than
                                                                          not over all other     light not in        \1/2\ ship's         Percentage
                   Vessel                                No.                  lights and      forward quarter of     length aft of        horizontal
                                                                             obstructions.      ship.  Annex I,    forward masthead       separation
                                                                          Annex I, sec. 2(f)       sec. 3(a)        light. Annex I,        attained
                                                                                                                       sec. 3(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS MANCHESTER.............................  LCS 14                       ..................                  X                   X                14.5
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Approved: July 25, 2017.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, USN, JAGC, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General (Admiralty 
and Maritime Law).

    Dated: July 27, 2017.
B.D. Corcoran,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-16257 Filed 8-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P