[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56836-56837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25791]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2017-1051]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the TUG BENSON GEORGE 
MORAN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of a certificate of alternative compliance.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a Certificate of Alternative 
Compliance (COAC) to the TUG BENSON GEORGE MORAN because it is a vessel 
of special construction or purpose, that, with respect to the position 
of its navigation

[[Page 56837]]

and towing lights, is not able to fully comply with the provisions of 
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, 
without interfering with the normal operation of the vessel. Our 
publication of this notice fulfills a statutory requirement and 
promotes maritime safety.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on November 
16, 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 Certificate of 
Alternate Compliance (COAC).
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    \1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
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    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. The Coast Guard issued a COAC to the TUG 
BENSON GEORGE MORAN on November 16, 2017. That COAC will remain 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 having issued this COAC. This notice promotes 
maritime safety by informing vessels that may encounter the TUG BENSON 
GEORGE MORAN to expect alternative positioning of its navigation and 
towing lights.
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    \3\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \4\ 33 CFR 81.18.
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    The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the TUG BENSON 
GEORGE MORAN is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that, 
with respect to the position of the navigation and towing 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. The Commandant further finds and certifies 
that the sidelights (13' 5'' from the vessel's side mounted on the 
pilot house) and the vessel's stern light and towing lights (3' 6'' aft 
of frame 20) are in the closet possible compliance with the applicable 
provisions of the 72 COLREGS and that full compliance with the 72 
COLREGS would not significantly enhance the safety of the vessel's 
operation.
    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.18.

    Dated: November 27, 2017.
Captain Byron L. Black,
Chief, Prevention Department, First District, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2017-25791 Filed 11-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P