2021-17338. Certificate of Alternate Compliance for Block IV VIRGINIA Class Submarines

AGENCY:

Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION:

Notice of issuance of Certificate of Alternate Compliance.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for Block IV VIRGINIA Class Submarines. All Block IV VIRGINIA Class submarines are built to the same design. Due to the special construction and purpose of each submarine of this class, the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG)(Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that each submarine of this class is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval vessel. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

DATES:

This Certificate of Alternate Compliance is effective August 13, 2021 and is applicable beginning August 6, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lieutenant Commander Darren E. Myers, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Admiralty and Maritime Law Division (Code 11), 1322 Patterson Ave. SE, Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, 202-685-5040, or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose.

Executive Order 11964 of January 19, 1977 and 33 U.S.C. 1605 provide that the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), as to the number, position, range, or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signaling appliances, shall not apply to a vessel or class of vessels of the Navy where the Secretary of the Navy shall find and certify that, by reason of special construction or purpose, it is not possible for such vessel(s) to comply fully with the provisions without interfering with the special function of the vessel(s). Notice of issuance of a Certificate of Alternate Compliance must be made in the Federal Register.

In accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1605, the DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law), under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, hereby finds and certifies that all Block IV VIRGINIA Class submarines are vessels of special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position of the following navigational lights, it is not possible to comply fully with the requirements of the provisions enumerated in the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the special function of the vessel:

Annex I, Section 2(a)(i) pertaining to the height of the masthead light; Annex I, Section 2(f)(i) pertaining to the vertical position of the masthead light; Annex I, Section 2(k) pertaining to the height of the forward anchor light; Rule 30(a) and Rule 21(e) pertaining to the 360 degree arc of visibility of the forward and aft anchor lights; Annex I, Section 3(b) pertaining to the position of the sidelights; Rule 21(c) pertaining to the position and the arcs of visibility of the stern light.

The DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) further finds and certifies that these navigational lights are in closest possible compliance with the applicable provision of the 72 COLREGS.

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), E.O. 11964.

Approved: August 10, 2021.

K.R. Callan,

Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer.