[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 708-709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-354]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 67
[CGD 95-052]
RIN 2115-AF15
Conformance of Lights on Artificial Islands and Fixes Structures,
and Other Facilities to IALA Standards
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In keeping with the National Performance Review, the Coast
Guard is reviewing its requirements for lights on artificial islands
and fixed structures (such as oil rigs) and other facilities to bring
them into conformance with the International Association of Lighthouse
Authorities (IALA) standards. Also, the Coast Guard is reviewing its
approval procedures and considering requiring manufacturers to have
lighting equipment and fog signal emitters tested by independent
laboratories. Adopting the IALA standards may enhance maritime safety
by conforming to lighting standards which are easier for the mariner to
understand. After consideration of the comments received, the Coast
Guard may initiate a rulemaking project.
DATES: Comments are requested by February 9, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 95-052), U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-001, or may
be delivered to room 3406 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 3
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is (202) 267-1477.
The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket for this
request for comments. Comments will become part of this docket and will
be available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG Chad Asplund, Short Range Aids to Navigation Division, Telephone:
(202) 267-1386.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this request for comments by submitting written data, views, or
arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their names and
addresses, identify this notice (CGD 95-052) and the specific section
of this notice to which each comment applies, and give the reason for
each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of
receipt of comments should enclosed stamped, self-addressed postcards
or envelopes.
Background and Purpose
In keeping with the National Performance Review, the Coast Guard is
reviewing its standards for lighting equipment presently required on
artificial islands, fixed structures, and other facilities. The Coast
Guard is considering bringing the lighting standards into conformance
with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
standards. In 1982, the United States, along with most of the world's
other maritime nations, became a party to the agreement that
established the IALA Maritime Buoyage
[[Page 709]]
System (MBS). In 1985, the United States began harmonizing the United
States Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) with the MBS.
If the standards of IALA are adopted, the current candlepower for
these lights would be revised to an ``area specific'' standard. These
lights would still have to be visible for 90 percent of the nights of
the year. The Coast Guard is also considering standardizing the
approval procedures for optical and audio equipment for fog signal
emitters.
Presently, under 33 CFR part 67, all artificial islands and
structures erected on or over the seabed and subsoil of the outer
continental shelf (OCS) are marked as private aids to navigation. The
obstruction lights prescribed are either a white or red, quick-
flashing, all-around light, depending on structure classification and
background lighting. Multiple obstruction lights are required to flash
in unison.
The IALA standards define a quick-flashing, white light as a north
cardinal mark. The present private aid system may be misleading to the
mariner accustomed to the IALA system. The mariner accustomed to using
a white, quick-flashing light as a cardinal mark might mistake a
structure which is not a cardinal mark for a cardinal mark. To conform
with IALA, each structure would retain the red or white light, but
display a Morse code ``U'' (..-) rather than the quick flashing light.
Current regulations in 33 CFR part 67, subpart 67.05 require that
lights be of sufficient candlepower so as to be visible for a
prescribed distance, corresponding to the structure's class, 90 percent
of the nights of the year. Certain geographic regions have
environmental conditions that preclude lights from meeting the above
standard. The new standards might divide the country into separate
regions to allow for differences in transmissivity and its effects on
the range of visibility. For example, one region might include the
First, Ninth, and Eleventh Coast Guard Districts, while the other
region might include the remaining districts.
The existing procedure in 33 CFR 67.05-10 that regulates lighting
equipment states that manufacturers of lights must have their equipment
approved by the District Commander and a permit must be issued before
the equipment can be distributed. This procedure might be changed to
require an independent laboratory to conduct the test. If so, the
manufacturer would then forward the results to Commandant (G-NSR), U.S.
Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Washington, D.C., 20593, for review.
Cost Information
The Coast Guard is seeking additional information on the cost that
could be associated with this project. Presently, the Coast Guard is
consulting with Automatic Power Incorporated, Tideland Signal
Corporation, and Sea Nav Corporation in an effort to estimate the
economic impact that this project could have on manufacturers and
users. The Coast Guard specifically requests comments from laboratories
which conduct tests of lighting systems and fog signal emitters covered
by part 67 regarding the costs of approvals.
Solicitation of Views
The Coast Guard solicits comments from all segments of the marine
community and other interested persons on these suggestions and
recommended alternatives related to obstruction lighting on artificial
islands, fixed structures, and other facilities. The Coast Guard is
particularly interested in receiving information, views, data, and
reasons on the following questions and areas of concern:
1. Should these lights be changed to conform to IALA standards?
Should the lights be charged to Morse ``U'' in accordance with IALA
standards, or with another configuration?
2. Should Class ``C'' structures be required to conform to IALA?
3. Should fog signal and light inspection procedures be changed?
Should the equipment approval procedures be changed to require
testing by independent laboratories with results then forwarded to the
Coast Guard?
Would such a change increase or decrease costs and compliance time?
4. What other factors should be considered in light of this
proposed change?
Is there any other information that you feel may be helpful in
implementing this change with less impact on the affected persons?
Dated: January 3, 1996.
J.A. Creech,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 96-354 Filed 1-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
