2010-12602. Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply Vessel JANSON R. GRAHAM

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

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

DATES:

The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on March 31, 2010.

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-2010-0262 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call LTJG Christine Dimitroff, 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

A Certificate of Alternative Compliance, as allowed under Title 33, Code of Federal Regulation, Parts 81 and 89, has been issued for the offshore supply vessel JANSON R. GRAHAM, O.N. 1222117. Full compliance with 72 COLREGS and Inland Rules Act would hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity of offshore platforms. The forward masthead light may be located on the top forward portion of the pilothouse 6.2 meters 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. Additionally, the horizontal distance between the forward and aft masthead lights may be 2.489 meters. 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.

Dated: 15 April 2010.

J. W. Johnson,

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