[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 8595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03191]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2022-0044]


Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the Thirteenth Coast 
Guard District

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, Thirteenth Coast Guard District has issued certificates of 
alternative compliance from the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the AGAMENTICUS 
HULL 68, BAKER, HULL 71, DECEPTION HULL 69, OLYMPUS HULL 70, RAINIER 
HULL 67, SENTINEL HULL 72. Due to the construction and placement of the 
sidelights, these vessels cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or 
sound signal provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with 
their design and construction. We are issuing this notice because its 
publication is required by statute. This notification of issuance of a 
certificate of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine 
safety mission.

DATES: The Certificates of Alternative Compliance were issued on 
January 14, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice, call or email Ms. Jill L. Lazo Thirteenth District, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-7275, [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 
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, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 
U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the AGAMENTICUS HULL 68, BAKER HULL 
71, DECEPTION HULL 69, OLYMPUS HULL 70, RAINIER HULL 67, SENTINEL HULL 
72 are towing vessels 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 of Prevention 
Division, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard, further 
finds and certifies that the sidelights are in the 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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    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.18.

    Dated: February 9, 2022.
P.C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Thirteenth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2022-03191 Filed 2-14-22; 8:45 am]
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