[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 122 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27651-27653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11918]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2024-0731]


Certificates of Alternative Compliance for the Eighth Coast Guard 
District

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 2024 and July 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email Lieutenant Jenifer Abiona, District Eight, 
Prevention Division, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 206-827-2691, 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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[[Page 27652]]

    The Eighth Coast Guard District has issued COACs to the following 
vessels from January 2024 to July 2024:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Year             Vessel name                 Details
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024................  MAY LOUISE.......  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          masthead light 22'-7\1/8\''
                                          above the main deck when the
                                          mast is in the lowered
                                          position; sidelights on the
                                          elevated pilot house 10'-1''
                                          outboard from the centerline
                                          of the vessel; Restricted in
                                          Ability to Maneuver and Not
                                          Under Command lights 1'-6''
                                          off centerline starting 25'-
                                          5\1/8\'' above the hull and
                                          vertically spaced 6'-7''; and
                                          stern lights--based on dual
                                          direction operational towing
                                          vessel: on the aft portion of
                                          the pilot house at a height no
                                          less than nor exceeding 22'-
                                          7\1/8\'' for ahead operations
                                          (e.g., pushing, hauling
                                          alongside, and pulling); and
                                          on the main mast at a height
                                          no less than nor exceeding 27'-
                                          9\5/8\'' for astern direction
                                          for astern operations (e.g.,
                                          towing).
2024................  VOYAGER..........  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          after masthead light on the
                                          main mast, 20'-11\1/2\'' aft
                                          and 27'-3\1/8\'' above the
                                          forward masthead light;
                                          sidelights on the pilot house
                                          21'-6'' outboard from the
                                          centerline of the vessel;
                                          Restricted in Ability to
                                          Maneuver and Not Under Command
                                          lights 1'-4\1/4\'' off
                                          centerline starting 52'-6\3/
                                          4\'' above the hull and
                                          vertically spaced 7'-10'' and
                                          6'-7''; and the stern light on
                                          the starboard bulwark at a
                                          height no less than nor
                                          exceeding and 4'-2'' as
                                          measured from the main deck.
2024................  SP DIAMOND.......  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, positioned 22'-3\3/
                                          16\'' above the main deck, 16'-
                                          5\11/16\'' inboard from the
                                          side of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft side of
                                          the pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and Restricted in Ability to
                                          Maneuver (RAM) and Not Under
                                          Command (NUC) Lights 3'-3\3/
                                          8\'' outboard from centerline
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.
2024................  SP RUBY..........  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, positioned 22'-3\3/
                                          16\'' above the main deck, 16'-
                                          5\11/16\'' inboard from the
                                          side of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft side of
                                          the pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and Restricted in Ability to
                                          Maneuver (RAM) and Not Under
                                          Command (NUC) Lights 3'-3\3/
                                          8\'' outboard from centerline
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.
2024................  TAANI............  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          forward masthead light and
                                          second/aft masthead light
                                          separated by a horizontal
                                          distance of no less than 86'-
                                          3\1/8\''; and the stern light
                                          on the furthest aft portion of
                                          the main structure (03 Level)
                                          clear of the aft equipment and
                                          work deck area at a height no
                                          less than nor exceeding 27'-
                                          3\3/4\'' as measured from the
                                          main deck.
2024................  NARRAGANSETT DAWN  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          forward masthead light and
                                          second/aft masthead light
                                          separated by a horizontal
                                          distance of no less than 86'-
                                          3\1/8\''; and the stern light
                                          on the furthest aft portion of
                                          the main structure (03 Level)
                                          clear of the aft equipment and
                                          work deck area at a height no
                                          less than nor exceeding 27'-
                                          3\3/4\'' as measured from the
                                          main deck.
2024................  GILBERT R MASON..  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          forward masthead light and
                                          second/aft masthead light
                                          separated by a horizontal
                                          distance of no less than 86'-
                                          3\1/8\''; and the stern light
                                          on the furthest aft portion of
                                          the main structure (03 Level)
                                          clear of the aft equipment and
                                          work deck area at a height no
                                          less than nor exceeding 27'-
                                          3\3/4\'' as measured from the
                                          main deck.
2024................  ECO EDISON.......  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          forward masthead light on the
                                          elevated pilothouse,
                                          centerline, positioned 76'-3\9/
                                          16\'' aft of the vessels bow,
                                          95'-3\5/8\'' above the main
                                          deck; and aft masthead light
                                          positioned centerline, placed
                                          71'-7\13/16\'' aft of the
                                          forward masthead light, and
                                          46'-3\5/16\'' above the
                                          forward masthead light.
2024................  PATRICIA B. MORAN  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, positioned 12'
                                          from the side of the vessel,
                                          and 19'-6\13/16\'' above the
                                          main deck; Stern light aft
                                          side of the elevated
                                          pilothouse, 1'-4'' starboard
                                          of centerline and 20'-10\1/
                                          8\'' above the main deck;
                                          masthead light centerline on
                                          the elevated pilothouse, 39'
                                          above the main deck when
                                          upright, and 25'-10\3/8\''
                                          above the main deck when mast
                                          is in the lowered position
                                          during ship assist work in
                                          order to prevent damage when
                                          working in close proximity to
                                          a ship's bow/stern flare; and
                                          restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights rather
                                          placing these lights on the
                                          centerline in a vertical line
                                          with the masthead lights, they
                                          may be placed 1'-3'' forward
                                          of the masthead lights
                                          starting at a height of 27'-
                                          6\1/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 3'-
                                          3\3/8\''.
2024................  FRED.............  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, 22'-3\3/16\''
                                          above the main deck, 16'-5\11/
                                          16\'' inboard from the sides
                                          of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft of the
                                          pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships, and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights--rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 3'-3\3/8\''
                                          outboard from the centerline,
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.

[[Page 27653]]

 
2024................  JOSEPHINE........  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, 22'-3\3/16\''
                                          above the main deck, 16'-5\11/
                                          16\'' inboard from the sides
                                          of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft of the
                                          pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships, and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 3'-3\3/8\''
                                          outboard from the centerline,
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.
2024................  MOOSE............  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, 22'-3\3/16\''
                                          above the main deck, 16'-5\11/
                                          16\'' inboard from the sides
                                          of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft of the
                                          pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships, and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 3'-3\3/8\''
                                          outboard from the centerline,
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.
2024................  BEAR.............  This certificate authorized the
                                          placement of the vessel's
                                          sidelights on the elevated
                                          pilothouse, 22'-3\3/16\''
                                          above the main deck, 16'-5\11/
                                          16\'' inboard from the sides
                                          of the vessel, and 3'-8\3/
                                          16\'' forward of the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light
                                          centered on the aft of the
                                          pilot house, 1'-4\1/16\''
                                          forward of amidships, and 40'-
                                          5\1/4\'' above the main deck;
                                          and restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 3'-3\3/8\''
                                          outboard from the centerline,
                                          starting at a height of 34'-
                                          9\13/16\'' above the main deck
                                          with vertical spacing between
                                          the RAM/NUC lights being 7'-
                                          2\5/8\''.
2024................  OCEANOGRAPHER....  This certificate authorized
                                          placement of the vessels
                                          masthead light on the main
                                          mast, 102'-7.25'' aft and 43'-
                                          9.75'' above the forward
                                          masthead light; stern light on
                                          the furthest aft location
                                          being the port side exhaust
                                          stack at a height of 39'-
                                          3.75'' from the main deck; and
                                          restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights, rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 2'-1'' off
                                          centerline starting 67'-10.5''
                                          above the main deck and
                                          vertically spaced at 6'-
                                          6.75''.
2024................  DISCOVERER.......  This certificate authorized
                                          placement of the vessels after
                                          masthead light on the main
                                          mast, 102'-7.25'' aft and 43'-
                                          9.75'' above the forward
                                          masthead light; sternlight on
                                          the furthest aft location
                                          being the port side exhaust
                                          stack at a height of 39'-
                                          3.75'' from the main deck; and
                                          restricted in ability to
                                          maneuver (RAM) and not under
                                          command (NUC) lights--rather
                                          than placing these lights on
                                          the centerline in a vertical
                                          line with the masthead lights,
                                          they may be placed 2'-1'' off
                                          centerline starting 67'-10.5''
                                          above the main deck and
                                          vertically spaced at 6'-
                                          6.75''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

    Dated: June 16, 2025.
J.E. Fothergill,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief of Prevention, Acting, By direction 
of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2025-11918 Filed 6-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P