[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 203 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 53072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22855]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0923]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Blount Boats Inc., 
Hull TGI-329

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 Blount Boats Inc., Hull TGI-329. We 
are issuing this notice because its publication is required by statute. 
Due to the construction and placement of the vessel's side lights, Hull 
TGI-329 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 October 
15, 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 a 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, 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 First District Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard, 
certifies that the Blount Boats Inc., Hull TGI-329 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 (12' 1.67'' from the vessel's 
side mounted on the pilot house) are in the closest 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: October 16, 2018.
Richard J. Schultz,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, First Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-22855 Filed 10-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P