[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 17554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05999]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS NANTUCKET (LCS 27)

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 NANTUCKET (LCS 27). 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 March 23, 
2023 and is applicable beginning March 15, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Joel White, JAGC, 
U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 
Admiralty and Claims Division (Code 15A), 1322 Patterson Ave. SE, Suite 
3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, 619-553-0356, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose. Executive Order 
(E.O.) 11964 of January 19, 1977 and 33 U.S.C. 1605 provide that the 
requirements of 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 NANTUCKET (LCS 27) 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 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: March 20, 2023.
A.R. Holt,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-05999 Filed 3-22-23; 8:45 am]
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