[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 55847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25418]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2017-1023]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the TUG BERT REINAUER
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a Certificate of Alternative
Compliance (COAC) to the TUG BERT REINAUER because it is a vessel of
special construction or purpose, that, with respect to the position of
its navigation and towing lights, is not able to fully comply with the
provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972, without interfering with the normal operation of the
vessel. Our publication of this notice fulfills a statutory requirement
and promotes maritime security.
DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on November
16, 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 Certificate of
Alternate Compliance (COAC).
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\1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
\2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
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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. The Coast Guard issued a COAC to the TUG
BERT REINAUER on November 16, 2017. That COAC will remain 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 having issued this COAC. This notice promotes
maritime safety by informing vessels that may encounter the TUG BERT
REINAUER to expect alternative positioning of its navigation and towing
lights.
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\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 BERT
REINAUER 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 (9' 7'' from the vessel's side mounted on 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 81.18.
Dated: November 20, 2017.
Byron L. Black,
Prevention Chief, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-25418 Filed 11-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P