[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28375-28376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13124]


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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.

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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 certain vessels of the VIRGINIA SSN Class are 
vessels of the Navy which, due to their special construction and 
purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS 
without interfering with their special function as a naval ships. The 
intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 
COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective June 19, 2018 and is applicable beginning 
May 29, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
(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 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 certain vessels of the Virginia SSN Class are 
vessels of the Navy which, due to their special construction and 
purpose, cannot fully comply with the following specific provisions of 
72 COLREGS without interfering with their special function as a naval 
ship: Rule 23(a) and Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the 
vertical placement of the masthead, light and Annex I, paragraph 
2(f)(i), pertaining to the masthead light being above and clear of all 
other lights and obstructions; Rule 30 (a), Rule 21(e), and Annex I, 
paragraph 2(k), pertaining to the vertical separation of the anchor 
lights, vertical placement of the forward anchor light above the hull, 
and the arc of visibility of all around lights; Rule 23 (a) and Annex 
I, paragraph 3(b), pertaining to the location of the sidelights; and 
Rule 21(c), pertaining to the location and arc of visibility of the 
sternlight. 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 these vessels in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect these vessel's ability to perform their 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), 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 by:
0
a. In Table One, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an 
entry for USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790);
0
b. In Table Three, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790); and
0
c. In Table Four:
0
i. In paragraph 25, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790); and
0
ii. In paragraph 26, by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel 
number, an entry for USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790).
    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.

* * * * *

                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                 forward masthead light
            Vessel                  Number       below minimum required
                                                 height. Sec.   2(a)(i)
                                                         Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS SOUTH DAKOTA.............  SSN 790........                     2.76
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

[[Page 28376]]



                                                                       Table Three
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                                                                                                                              Forward
                                                       Masthead                                Side lights,  Stern light,     anchor      Anchor lights
                                                      lights arc    Side lights   Stern light    distance      distance       light,       relationship
             Vessel                     Number            of          arc of        arc of      inboard of    forward of   height above  of aft light to
                                                      visibility;   visibility;   visibility;  ship's sides    stern in       hull in     forward light
                                                      rule 21(a)    rule 21(b)    rule 21(c)     in meters   meters; rule  meters; 2(K)   in meters 2(K)
                                                                                               3(b) annex 1      21(c)        annex 1        annex 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS SOUTH DAKOTA................  SSN 790..........  ............  ............    206.0[deg]          4.37         11.05           2.8             0.30
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
* * * * *
    25. * * *

                               Table Four
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Distance in meters of
                                                masthead light below the
            Vessel                  Number      submarine identification
                                                         lights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS SOUTH DAKOTA.............  SSN 790........                     0.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Obstruction angle relative to ship's headings
              Vessel                        Number        ------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Forward anchor light          Aft anchor light
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
USS SOUTH DAKOTA..................  SSN 790..............  172[deg] to 188[deg]......  359[deg] to 1[deg].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Approved: May 29, 2018.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law Division).
    Dated: June 13, 2018.
E.K. Baldini,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-13124 Filed 6-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P