2013-07224. Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

AGENCY:

Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG)(Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES:

This rule is effective March 28, 2013 and is applicable beginning March 11, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lieutenant Jocelyn Loftus-Williams, (Admiralty and Maritime Law), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Navy, 1322 Patterson Ave. SE., Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the authority granted in 33 U.S.C. 1605, the DoN amends 32 CFR Part 706.

This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship: Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical placement of the masthead light; Annex I, Section 2(f) (i), pertaining to Virginia class submarine masthead light location below the submarine identification lights; Annex I, paragraph 2(k), pertaining to the vertical separation of the anchor lights and vertical placement of the forward anchor light above the hull; Rule 30 (a) and Rule 21 (e), pertaining to arc of visibility of the forward and after anchor lights; Annex I, paragraph 3(b), pertaining to the location of the sidelights; and Rule 21(c), pertaining to the location and arc of visibility of the sternlight. The DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has also certified that the lights involved are located in closest possible compliance with the applicable 72 COLREGS requirements.

Moreover, it has been determined, in accordance with 32 CFR Parts 296 and 701, that publication of this amendment for public comment prior to adoption is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public interest since it is based on technical findings that the placement of lights on this vessel in a manner differently from that prescribed herein will adversely affect the vessel's ability to perform its military functions.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706

• Marine safety
• Navigation (water), and Vessels

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the DoN amends part 706 of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 706—CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972

1. The authority citation for part 706 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.

2. Section 706.2 is amended as follows:

A. In Table One by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an entry for USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783);

B. In Table Three by adding, in alpha numerical order, by vessel number, an entry for USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783); and

C. Section 706.2 is amended by adding paragraphs 25 and 26 following Table Four to read as follows:

§ 706.2

Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605.

* * * * *

Table One

Vessel	No.	Distance in meters of forward masthead light below minimum required height. § 2(a)(i), Annex I
*    *    *    *    *
USS MINNESOTA	SSN 783	2.76
*    *    *    *    *

* * * * *

Table Three

Vessel	No.	Masthead lights arc of visibility; rule 21(a)	Side lights arc of visibility; rule 21(b)	Stern light arc of visibility; rule 21(c)	Side lights distance inboard of ship's sides in meters 3(b) annex 1	Stern light, distance forward of stern in meters; rule 21(c)	Forward anchor light, height above hull in meters; 2(K) annex 1	Anchor lights relationship of aft light to forward light in meters 2(K) annex 1
*         *         *         *         *         *         *
USS MINNESOTA	SSN 783			205.1°	4.37	11.05	2.8	0.30 below
*         *         *         *         *         *         *

* * * * *

25. On the following ships the masthead light is located 0.81 meters below the submarine identification lights and does not meet the requirement described by Annex I, 2(f)(i).

Vessel	No.	Distance in meters of masthead light below the submarine identification lights
USS VIRGINIA	SSN 774	0.81
USS TEXAS	SSN 775	0.81
USS HAWAII	SSN 776	0.81
USS NORTH CAROLINA	SSN 777	0.81
USS NEW HAMPSHIRE	SSN 778	0.81
USS NEW MEXICO	SSN 779	0.81
USS MISSOURI	SSN 780	0.81
USS CALIFORNIA	SSN 781	0.81
USS MISSISSIPPI	SSN 782	0.81
USS MINNESOTA	SSN 783	0.81

26. On the following ships the arc of visibility required by Rule 30(a) and Rule 21(e), for the forward and after lights may be obstructed through the following angles relative to the ship's heading due to the ship's sail.

Vessel	No.	Obstruction angle relative to ship's heading
		Forward anchor light	Aft anchor light
USS VIRGINIA	SSN 774	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS TEXAS	SSN 775	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS HAWAII	SSN 776	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS NORTH CAROLINA	SSN 777	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS NEW HAMPSHIRE	SSN 778	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS NEW MEXICO	SSN 779	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS MISSOURI	SSN 780	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS CALIFORNIA	SSN 781	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS MISSISSIPPI	SSN 782	172° to 188°	359° to 1°
USS MINNESOTA	SSN 783	172° to 188°	359° to 1°

Approved: March 11, 2013.

A. B. Fischer,

Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate, General (Admiralty and Maritime Law).

Dated: March 21, 2013.

C. K. Chiappetta.

Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer.