[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54674-54676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23374]


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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 (DoN), 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 USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20) is a vessel of the 
Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully 
comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering 
with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this 
rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This rule is effective October 31, 2018 and is applicable 
beginning October 19, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick, 
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, (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 number: 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 USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20) is a vessel of the Navy 
which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply 
with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without 
interfering with its special function as a naval ship: Annex I, 
paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the height of the forward masthead 
light above the hull; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the 
location of the forward masthead light in the forward quarter of the 
ship and the horizontal distance between the forward and after masthead 
light; Rule 21(a) and Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i), requiring the 
masthead lights be above and clear of all other lights and 
obstructions; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(ii) and Annex I, paragraph 3(c), 
pertaining to the horizontal and vertical spacing of task lights; and 
Rule 27(b)(i) and Annex I, paragraph 9(b), pertaining to the visibility 
of task lights. 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 this vessel in a manner differently from that prescribed 
herein will adversely affect the vessel's ability to perform its 
military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

    Marine safety, Navigation (water).

    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 CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
0
b. In Table Four, under Paragraph 15, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
0
c. In Table Four, under Paragraph 16, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
0
d. In Table Four, under Paragraph 27, adding, in alpha numerical order, 
by vessel number, an entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20); and
0
e. In Table Five, adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, 
an entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20).


Sec.  706.2  Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under 
Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

[[Page 54675]]



                                Table One
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Distance in meters of
                                                      forward masthead
             Vessel                     No.         light below minimum
                                                   required height. Sec.
                                                       2(a)(i) Annex I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS CINCINNATI..................  (LCS 20).......                   4.2
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    15. * * *

                               Table Four
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Horizontal
                                                      distances from the
                                                         fore and aft
              Vessel                      No.         centerline of the
                                                        vessel in the
                                                         athwartship
                                                          direction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS CINCINNATI...................  LCS 20..........  Upper--0.20 meters.
                                                     Middle--1.3 meters.
                                                     Lower--1.3 meters.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    16. * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Obstruction angle
              Vessel                      No.          relative ship's
                                                           headings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
USS CINCINNATI...................  LCS 20..........  72[deg] thru
                                                      74[deg].
                                                     286[deg] thru
                                                      288[deg].
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    27. On the following ships, the arc of visibility of the middle 
task light (restricted maneuverability), required by the rule 27(b)(i) 
and Annex I, paragraph 9(b)(i), may be obstructed at the following 
angles relative to ship's heading;

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Obstruction angle
              Vessel                      No.           relative ship
                                                           heading
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS CINCINNATI...................  LCS 20..........  47[deg] thru
                                                      59[deg].
                                                     301[deg] thru
                                                      313[deg].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                                       Table Five
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        After masthead
                                                                                                         Forward       light less than
                                                                      Masthead lights not over all    masthead light     \1/2\ ship's       Percentage
                  Vessel                              No.            other lights and obstructions.   not in forward    length aft of       horizontal
                                                                           Annex I, sec. 2(f)           quarter of     forward masthead     separation
                                                                                                      ship. Annex I,   light. Annex I,       attained
                                                                                                        sec. 3(a)         sec. 3(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
USS CINCINNATI...........................  (LCS 20)................  ..............................               X                  X             15.2
 

[[Page 54676]]

 
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    Approved: October 19, 2018.
A.S. Janin,
Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General 
(Admiralty and Maritime Law).
    Dated: October 19, 2018.
Meredith Steingold Werner,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-23374 Filed 10-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P