[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28873-28874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13329]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2017-0422]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the TUG INDEPENDENCE
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
[[Page 28874]]
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative
Compliance (COAC) was issued for the TUG INDEPENDENCE. We are issuing
this notice because its publication is required by statute.
DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on May 9th,
2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about
this notice call or email Mr. Kevin Miller, First District Towing
Vessel/Barge Safety Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (617) 223-
8272, email <[email protected]>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States is signatory to the
International Maritime Organization's International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), as amended. The
special construction or purpose of some vessels makes them unable to
comply with the light, shape, and sound signal provisions of the 72
COLREGS. Under statutory law \1\ and Coast Guard regulation,\2\ a
vessel may instead meet alternative requirements and the vessel's
owner, builder, operator, or agent may apply for a COAC. For vessels of
special construction, the cognizant Coast Guard District Office
determines whether the vessel for which the COAC is sought complies as
closely as possible with the 72 COLREGS, and decides whether to issue
the COAC. Once issued, a COAC remains valid until information supplied
in the COAC application or the COAC terms become inapplicable to the
vessel. Under the governing statute \3\ and regulation,\4\ the Coast
Guard must publish notice of this action.
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\1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
\2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
\3\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
\4\ 33 CFR 81.18.
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The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the TUG
INDEPENDENCE is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that,
with respect to the position of the navigation and towing lights, it is
not possible to comply fully with the requirements of the provisions
enumerated in the 72 COLREGS, without interfering with the normal
operation of the vessel. The Commandant further finds and certifies
that the sidelights (13' 2.75''; from the vessel's side mounted on the
pilot house) and stern/towing lights (5' 6.5'' aft of frame 18 mounted
on top of the pilot house) are in the closet possible compliance with
the applicable provisions of the 72 COLREGS and that full compliance
with the 72 COLREGS would not significantly enhance the safety of the
vessel's operation.
This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33
CFR 81.
Dated: June 13, 2017.
B.L. Black,
Capt., Chief, Prevention Department, First District, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2017-13329 Filed 6-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P