E9-30934. Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply Vessel MICHAEL G MCCALL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel MICHAEL G MCCALL as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES:

The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on November 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this notice is available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this docket on the Internet by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2009-1049 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call CWO2 David Mauldin, District Eight, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone [phone]. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

The offshore supply vessel MICHAEL G MCCALL will be used for offshore supply operations. Full compliance with 72 COLREGS and the Inland Rules Act would hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity of offshore platforms. As a result, the forward masthead light may be located on the top forward portion of the pilothouse 21.41′ above the hull. Placing the forward masthead light at the height required by Annex I, paragraph 2(a) of the 72 COLREGS and Annex I, Section 84.03(a) of the Inland Rules Act would result in a masthead light location highly susceptible to damage when working in close proximity to offshore platforms.

Furthermore, the horizontal distance between the forward and aft masthead lights may be 11.88′. Placing the aft masthead light at the horizontal distance from the forward masthead light as required by Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of the 72 COLREGS and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act would result in an aft masthead light location directly over the aft cargo deck where it would interfere with loading and unloading operations.

The Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the vertical placement of the forward masthead light to deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I, paragraph 2(a) of 72 COLREGS and Annex I, Section 84.03(a) of the Inland Rules Act. In addition, the Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the horizontal separation of the forward and aft masthead lights to deviate from the requirements of Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of 72 COLREGS and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act.

This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), and 33 CFR 81.18.

Dated: December 1, 2009.

J.W. Johnson,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Inspections and Investigations Branch, By Direction of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.