[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56836-56837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25791]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2017-1051]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the TUG BENSON GEORGE
MORAN
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of a certificate of alternative compliance.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a Certificate of Alternative
Compliance (COAC) to the TUG BENSON GEORGE MORAN because it is a vessel
of special construction or purpose, that, with respect to the position
of its navigation
[[Page 56837]]
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 safety.
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
BENSON GEORGE MORAN 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 BENSON
GEORGE MORAN 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 BENSON
GEORGE MORAN 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' 5'' from the vessel's side mounted on the
pilot house) and the vessel's stern light and towing lights (3' 6'' aft
of frame 20) 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 27, 2017.
Captain Byron L. Black,
Chief, Prevention Department, First District, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2017-25791 Filed 11-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P