[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18580-18581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08904]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0365]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Gunderson Marine 
LLC Hull 117

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 Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District has issued a certificate of alternative compliance from the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 
COLREGS), for the Gunderson Marine LLC Hull 117. We are issuing this 
notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to the 
construction and placement of the mooring and anchor winches and 
fittings, placement of the sidelights in this area would be a potential 
hazard to the crew during vessel operations and may subject them to 
potential damage during mooring. Gunderson Marine LLC Hull 117 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 April 
20, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LT Bert Luke Woods, Thirteenth District, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-7232, email 
[email protected]@uscg.mil.

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

[[Page 18581]]

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 Chief, Prevention Division, of the Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the Gunderson Marine LLC 
Hull 117 is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that, with 
respect to the position of the sidelights, 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 Chief, Prevention Division further finds 
and certifies that the sidelights, are in the closest 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.

    Dated: April 20, 2018.
B.S. Gilda,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Thirteenth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-08904 Filed 4-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P