[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 45869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16471]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS MOBILE (LCS 26)

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 MOBILE (LCS 26). 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 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 MOBILE (LCS 26) 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 masthead light obstructions; 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. 2020-16471 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P