[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43153-43154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17941]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2019-0572]


Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the EAGLE II and Q-
OCEAN SERVICE

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 Chief of Prevention 
Division, Seventh District has issued a certificate of alternative 
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the EAGLE II (O.N. 1294433) and Q-OCEAN 
SERVICE (O.N. 1284182). We are issuing this notice because its 
publication is required by statute. Due to the construction and 
placement of the masthead light, stern light, and sidelights, EAGLE II 
cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions 
of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's design and 
construction. Due to the construction and placement of the sidelights, 
Q-OCEAN SERVICE cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound 
signal provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the 
vessel's special function. This notification of the issuance of these 
certificates of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's 
marine safety mission.

DATES: The Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the EAGLE II and 
Q-OCEAN QUEEN SERVICE were issued on July 29, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LCDR Dale Cressman, D7 dpi, U.S. Coast Guard, 
305-415-7148, [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 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

[[Page 43154]]

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 Chief of Prevention Division, Seventh District, U.S. Coast 
Guard, certifies that the EAGLE II (O.N. 1294433) is a vessel of 
special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the 
positions of the masthead light, stern 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's car deck. The Chief 
of Prevention Division, Seventh District, U.S. Coast Guard, further 
finds and certifies that the lights are configured in 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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    The Chief of Prevention Division, Seventh District, U.S. Coast 
Guard, certifies that the Q-OCEAN SERVICE (O.N. 1284182) is a vessel of 
special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the 
positions 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's primary function as a tug. The Chief of Prevention 
Division, Seventh District, U.S. Coast Guard, further finds and 
certifies that the lights are configured in 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: July 29, 2019
J.D. Espino-Young,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Seventh Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2019-17941 Filed 8-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P