[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26703-26704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12337]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0435]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Ferry RODANTHE

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 Fifth District, Chief of 
Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative compliance 
from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 
1972 (72 COLREGS), for the North Carolina's Department of 
Transportation ferry RODANTHE, Official Number (O.N.) 1285078, 
Bollinger Hull Number: 693. We are issuing this notice because its 
publication is required by statute. Due to the construction and 
placement of the pilothouse offset to the starboard side of the vessel, 
the ferry RODANTHE 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 June 1, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LCDR Ronaydee M. Marquez, District Five, 
Chief, Inspections and Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone: 
757-398-6682, 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

[[Page 26704]]

unable to comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions of 
the 72 COLREGS. Under statutory law, however, specified 72 COLREGS 
provisions are not applicable to a vessel of special construction or 
purpose if the Coast Guard determines that the vessel cannot comply 
fully with those requirements without interfering with the special 
function of the vessel.\1\
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    \1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605.
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    The owner, builder, operator, or agent of a special construction or 
purpose vessel may apply to the Coast Guard District Office in which 
the vessel is being built or operated for a determination that 
compliance with alternative requirements is justified,\2\ and the Chief 
of the Prevention Division would then issue the applicant a certificate 
of alternative compliance (COAC) if he or she determines that the 
vessel cannot comply fully with 72 COLREGS light, shape, and sound 
signal provisions without interference with the vessel's special 
function.\3\ If the Coast Guard issues a COAC, it must publish notice 
of this action in the Federal Register.\4\
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    \2\ 33 CFR 81.5.
    \3\ 33 CFR 81.9.
    \4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.
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    The Fifth District, Chief of Prevention Division, U.S. Coast Guard, 
certifies that the RODANTHE, O.N. 1285078 is a vessel of special 
construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position of the 
masthead light and 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 design and configuration of the pilothouse offset to 
the starboard side of the vessel allows an open deck to carry large 
vehicles. There are no structures on the fore and aft centerline or 
left of the centerline on which a masthead light or sidelights could be 
affixed. Instead, the masthead light is located on the top center of 
the pilothouse and the port sidelight is located on the port side of 
the pilothouse, which is offset to the starboard side of the vessel. 
The Fifth District, Chief of Prevention Division further finds and 
certifies that the masthead light and sidelights are in the closet 
possible compliance with the applicable provisions of the 72 
COLREGS.\5\
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    \5\ 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: June 1, 2018.
J.R. Barnes,
Capt., U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Fifth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2018-12337 Filed 6-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P