[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 149 (Friday, August 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51844-51846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2023-0247]


Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the Eighth Coast Guard 
District

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 51845]]


ACTION: Notification of issuance of certificates of alternative 
compliance.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the Eighth Coast Guard 
District's Prevention Division has issued certificates of alternative 
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to vessels of special construction or 
purpose that cannot fully comply with the light, shape, and sound 
signal provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's 
design and construction. We are issuing this notice because its 
publication is required by statute. This notification of issuance of 
certificates of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's 
marine safety mission.

DATES: These Certificates of Alternative Compliance were issued between 
January 2023 and March 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email Lieutenant Commander Jessica Flennoy, 
District Eight, Prevention Division, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 504-
671-2156, email [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 Eighth Coast Guard District has issued COACs to the following 
vessels from January 2023 to March 2023:

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                 Year                        Vessel name                             Details
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2023.................................  EVA....................  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's mast light 40'-3\3/4\'' above the main
                                                                 deck and 23'-3'' when the mast is in the
                                                                 lowered position and 1'-2'' aft of amidships;
                                                                 sidelights on the elevated pilothouse, 10'-5\3/
                                                                 4\'' outboard from centerline of the vessel;
                                                                 Restricted in Ability to Maneuver and Not Under
                                                                 Command Lights 1'-6'' off centerline starting
                                                                 at 25'-5\1/8\'' above the hull and vertically
                                                                 spaced 6'-7''; the stern light placed at the
                                                                 centerline of the vessel on the rear portion of
                                                                 the pilot house no less than nor exceeding 23'-
                                                                 3'' as measured from the main deck; and, as a
                                                                 result of the Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
                                                                 and Not Under Command light placement, the
                                                                 towing masthead lights will not be above and
                                                                 clear of all other lights.
2023.................................  GENERAL ARNOLD.........  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's stern light on the dredge ladder end
                                                                 25'-0'' off centerline, and the aft anchor
                                                                 light on the dredge ladder A-frame 3'-4'' off
                                                                 centerline with a 19[deg] obstruction from
                                                                 dredge boom crane.
2023.................................  LEIGHTON K.............  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's mast light 40'-3\3/4\'' above the main
                                                                 deck and 23'-3'' when the mast is in the
                                                                 lowered position and 1'-2'' aft of amidships;
                                                                 sidelights on the elevated pilothouse, 10'-5\3/
                                                                 4\'' outboard from centerline of the vessel;
                                                                 Restricted in Ability to Maneuver and Not Under
                                                                 Command Lights 1'-6'' off centerline starting
                                                                 at 25'-5\1/8\'' above the hull and vertically
                                                                 spaced 6'-7''; the stern light placed at the
                                                                 centerline of the vessel on the rear portion of
                                                                 the pilot house no less than nor exceeding 23'-
                                                                 3'' as measured from the main deck; and, as a
                                                                 result of the Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
                                                                 and Not Under Command light placement, the
                                                                 towing masthead lights will not be above and
                                                                 clear of all other lights.
2023.................................  GINNY H................  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's sidelights on the elevated pilot house
                                                                 9'-5'' outboard from the centerline of the
                                                                 vessel; Restricted in Ability to Maneuver and
                                                                 Not Under Command lights 7'-5'' off centerline
                                                                 starting 26'-9\1/4\'' above the hull and
                                                                 vertically spaced 7'; and the stern light at
                                                                 the centerline of the vessel on the rear
                                                                 portion of the pilot house at a height no less
                                                                 than nor exceeding 8'-10\1/2\'' as measured
                                                                 form the main deck.
2023.................................  T-ATS 11...............  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's after masthead light on the main mast
                                                                 32'-10'' aft of the forward masthead light.
2023.................................  BRIZO..................  This certificate authorized the placement of the
                                                                 vessel's mast light 40'-3\3/4\'' above the main
                                                                 deck and 23'-3'' when the mast is in the
                                                                 lowered position and 1'-2'' aft of amidships;
                                                                 sidelights on the elevated pilothouse, 10'-5\3/
                                                                 4\'' outboard from centerline of the vessel;
                                                                 Restricted in Ability to Maneuver and Not Under
                                                                 Command Lights 1'-6'' off centerline starting
                                                                 at 25'-5\1/8\'' above the hull and vertically
                                                                 spaced 6'-7''; the stern light placed at the
                                                                 centerline of the vessel on the rear portion of
                                                                 the pilot house no less than nor exceeding 23'-
                                                                 3'' as measured from the main deck; and, as a
                                                                 result of the Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
                                                                 and Not Under Command light placement, the
                                                                 towing masthead lights will not be above and
                                                                 clear of all other lights.
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    The Chief of Prevention Division, of the Eighth Coast Guard 
District, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the vessels listed above are 
of special construction or purpose and are unable 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 vessels. The Chief of Prevention Division further finds and 
certifies that the listed vessels 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.


[[Page 51846]]


    Dated: July 31, 2023.
A.H. Moore, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Eighth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2023-16664 Filed 8-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P