[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 96 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 31740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10630]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS George Washington 
(CVN 73)

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 GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). 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 May 18, 
2023 and is applicable beginning May 4, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander J. Martin Bunt, 
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate 
General, Admiralty and Claims Division (Code 15), 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 
(E.O.) 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 GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) 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:
    Rule 21(a), pertaining to the placement of the masthead lights over 
the fore and aft centerline of the ship; Annex I, paragraph 2(g), 
pertaining to the placement of the sidelights above the hull; Rule 
21(b) pertaining to the visibility of the sidelights; Annex I, 
paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the placement of the forward masthead 
light in the forward quarter of the ship; and Annex I, Paragraph 
(2)(i)(iii) pertaining to the placement 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: May 15, 2023.
A.R. Holt,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-10630 Filed 5-17-23; 8:45 am]
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