[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58773-58774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS AUGUSTA (LCS 34)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy (DoN), Department of Defense (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 AUGUSTA (LCS 34). Due to the special 
construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the 
Navy 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 September 
28, 2022 and is applicable beginning September 21, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Andrea Liou, 
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate 
General, Admiralty and Claims Division (Code

[[Page 58774]]

15), 1322 Patterson Ave. SE, Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 
20374-5066, 202-685-5075, 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 Admiralty Counsel of the 
Navy, under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, hereby 
finds and certifies that USS AUGUSTA (LCS 34) 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 height of the forward 
masthead light; Annex I, Paragraph (3)(a) pertaining to the location of 
the forward masthead light in relation to the forward quarter of the 
ship; Annex I, Paragraph 2(f)(i) pertaining to obstructions of the aft 
masthead light; Annex I, Paragraph (3)(a) pertaining to the horizontal 
separation of the masthead lights; Annex I, Paragraph 2(f)(ii), and 
Annex I, Paragraph 3(c) pertaining to the vertical and horizontal 
position of the task lights in relation to the masthead lights; Rule 
27(b)(i) and Annex I, Paragraph 9(b) pertaining to the degree of 
obstruction of the task lights.
    The Admiralty Counsel of the Navy 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.

    Dated: September 23, 2022.
B.F. Roach,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-20994 Filed 9-27-22; 8:45 am]
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