[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 4309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01143]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS OAKLAND (LCS 24)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of Certificate of Alternate Compliance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate 
Compliance has been issued for USS OAKLAND (LCS 24). Due to the special 
construction and purpose of this vessel, the Deputy Assistant Judge 
Advocate General (DAJAG)(Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined it 
is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and 
purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of 
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 
(72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval 
ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters 
where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES: This Certificate of Alternate Compliance is effective January 
24, 2020 and is applicable beginning January 10, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Tom Bright, JAGC, U.S. 
Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 
Admiralty and Maritime Law Division (Code 11), 1322 Patterson Ave. SE, 
Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, 202-685-5040, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose. Executive Order 
11964 of January 19, 1977 and 33 U.S.C. 1605 provide that the 
requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), as to the number, position, range, or arc of 
visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and 
characteristics of sound-signaling appliances, shall not apply to a 
vessel or class of vessels of the Navy where the Secretary of the Navy 
shall find and certify that, by reason of special construction or 
purpose, it is not possible for such vessel(s) to comply fully with the 
provisions without interfering with the special function of the 
vessel(s). Notice of issuance of a Certificate of Alternate Compliance 
must be made in the Federal Register.
    In accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1605, the DAJAG (Admiralty and 
Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, 
hereby finds and certifies that USS OAKLAND (LCS 24) is a vessel of 
special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position 
of the following navigational lights, it is not possible to comply 
fully with the requirements of the provisions enumerated in the 72 
COLREGS without interfering with the special function of the vessel:
    Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical position of 
the forward masthead light; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the 
horizontal position of the forward masthead light; Rule 21(a) and Annex 
I, paragraph 2(f)(i), pertaining to the aft masthead light being clear 
of obstructions; Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the horizontal 
separation between the forward and aft masthead lights; Annex I, 
paragraph 2(f)(ii), pertaining to the vertical and horizontal spacing 
of task lights; and Rule 27(b)(i) and Annex I, paragraph 9(b), 
pertaining to task light obstructions.
    The DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) further finds and certifies 
that these navigational lights are in closest possible compliance with 
the applicable provision of the 72 COLREGS.

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1605(c), E.O. 11964

    Approved: January 20, 2020.
D.J. Antenucci,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-01143 Filed 1-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P