[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68916-68917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19385]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2024-0732]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the CHARYBDIS

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification of issuance of a Certificate of Alternative 
Compliance.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the Chief of the Prevention 
Division, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a certificate of 
alternative compliance from the International Regulations for 
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the CHARYBDIS, 
O.N. 1346442. We are issuing this notice because its publication is 
required by statute. Due to the unique construction of this vessel 
CHARYBDIS cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal 
provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's 
design and construction. This notification of issuance of a certificate 
of alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety 
mission.

DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on August 
21, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email Mr. Julio A. Martinez, Marine Safety 
Specialist, Prevention Division, Fifth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone (757) 398-6689, 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),

[[Page 68917]]

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 Chief of the Prevention Division, Fifth Coast Guard District, 
certifies that the CHARYBDIS, O.N. 1346442, is a vessel of special 
construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the horizontal 
positioning of the Aft Masthead Light, and the horizontal sector of the 
Restricted in Ability to Maneuver (RAM) and Not Under Command (NUC) 
all-around lights, it is not possible 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 
vessel. The Chief of the Prevention Division, Fifth Coast Guard 
District, further finds and certifies that the Aft Masthead Light 
carried at a horizontal distance of 23 feet-\7/8\ inches abaft the 
Forward Masthead Light, and the installation of two separate sets of 
all-around RAM/NUC lights, one on the port side and one on the 
starboard side, each 88 feet-\7/18\ inches athwartship the fore and aft 
centerline is 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.

    Dated: August 21, 2024.
Matthew J. Meskun,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Fifth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2024-19385 Filed 8-27-24; 8:45 am]
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