[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45868-45869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16470]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL 
(LCS 21)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Issuance of Certificate of Alternate Compliance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate 
Compliance has been issued for USS MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL (LCS 21). 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 July 30, 
2020 and is applicable beginning July 22, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander 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

[[Page 45869]]

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 MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL (LCS 21) 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; and Annex I, 
paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the horizontal separation between the 
forward and aft masthead lights.
    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: July 22, 2020.
D.J. Antenucci,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-16470 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
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