[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12199-12200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05608]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0107]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the NOAA Research 
Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLE

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the U.S. Coast Guard First 
District Prevention Department has issued a certificate of alternative 
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R. 
HASSLER, ON 9478559. We are issuing this notice because its publication 
is required by statute. Due to the construction and placement of the 
vessel's side lights, NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLER cannot 
fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions of the 
72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's design and 
construction. This notification of issuance of a certificate of 
alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety 
mission.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on March 5, 
2018.

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, or sound signal provisions of the 72 
COLREGS. Under statutory law \1\ and Coast Guard regulation,\2\ the 
vessel's owner, builder, operator, or agent of those vessels may apply 
for a certificate of alternative compliance (COAC).\3\ 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 which must specify the required alternative installation. If 
the Coast Guard issues a COAC, under the governing statute \4\ and 
regulations,\5\ the Coast Guard must publish notice of this action. 
Once issued, a COAC remains valid until information supplied in the 
COAC application or the COAC terms become inapplicable to the vessel.
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    \1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
    \3\ 33 CFR 81.5.
    \4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
    \5\ 33 CFR 81.18.
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    The First District Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard, 
certifies that the NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLER, ON 
9478559 is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that, with 
respect to the position of the vessels side light, it is not possible 
to comply fully with the requirements of the provisions enumerated in 
the 72 COLREGS, without interfering with the normal operation, 
construction, or design of the vessel. The First District Prevention 
Department further finds and certifies that the vessel's sidelights, 
located in a position 15'3'' forward of frame 14 and 5'3'' below the 
top of the bridge/02 Deck mounted to the bridge wing, are in the closet 
possible compliance with the applicable provisions of the 72 
COLREGS.\6\
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    \6\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(a); 33 CFR 81.9.
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    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.18.


[[Page 12200]]


    Dated: March 12, 2018.
Byron L. Black,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, First Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-05608 Filed 3-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P