[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 65663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20676]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS Richard M. McCool 
(LPD-29)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of Certificate of Alternate Compliance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate 
Compliance has been issued for USS Richard M. McCool (LPD-29). 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 
25, 2023 and is applicable beginning September 12, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Shaun Pehl, 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 Richard M. McCool (LPD-29) 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(i)(i) pertaining to the vertical position of 
the task lights in relation to one another; annex I, paragraph 3(a), 
pertaining to the horizontal separation of the masthead lights; annex 
I, paragraph 2 (k), pertaining to the vertical separation of the anchor 
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 20, 2023.
J.E. Koningisor,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-20676 Filed 9-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P