[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 49 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14493-14494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05045]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2020-0068]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the New Construction 
(O.N. CG1575290)

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, Prevention Division 
District 9 has issued a certificate of alternative compliance from the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 
COLREGS), for the NEW CONSTRUCTION (O.N. CG1575290) We are issuing this 
notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to the 
construction and placement of the side lights, NEW CONSTRUCTION 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 February 
5, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LT Matt MacKillop, District Nine (dpi), U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 216-902-6343, email: 
[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

[[Page 14494]]

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 Chief, Prevention Division District 9, U.S. Coast Guard, 
certifies that the NEW CONSTRUCTION is a vessel of special construction 
or purpose, and that, with respect to the position of the side lights, 
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 Chief, 
Prevention Division District 9 further finds and certifies that the 
side lights, are in the closet 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: March 6, 2020.
K.D. Floyd,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Ninth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2020-05045 Filed 3-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P