[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12199-12200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05608]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2018-0107]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the NOAA Research
Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLE
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notification of issuance of a certificate of alternative
compliance.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the U.S. Coast Guard First
District Prevention Department has issued a certificate of alternative
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R.
HASSLER, ON 9478559. We are issuing this notice because its publication
is required by statute. Due to the construction and placement of the
vessel's side lights, NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLER cannot
fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions of the
72 COLREGS without interfering with the vessel's design and
construction. This notification of issuance of a certificate of
alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety
mission.
DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on March 5,
2018.
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, or sound signal provisions of the 72
COLREGS. Under statutory law \1\ and Coast Guard regulation,\2\ the
vessel's owner, builder, operator, or agent of those vessels may apply
for a certificate of alternative compliance (COAC).\3\ 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 which must specify the required alternative installation. If
the Coast Guard issues a COAC, under the governing statute \4\ and
regulations,\5\ the Coast Guard must publish notice of this action.
Once issued, a COAC remains valid until information supplied in the
COAC application or the COAC terms become inapplicable to the vessel.
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\1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
\2\ 33 CFR 81.3.
\3\ 33 CFR 81.5.
\4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c).
\5\ 33 CFR 81.18.
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The First District Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard,
certifies that the NOAA Research Vessel FERDINAND R. HASSLER, ON
9478559 is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that, with
respect to the position of the vessels side light, it is not possible
to comply fully with the requirements of the provisions enumerated in
the 72 COLREGS, without interfering with the normal operation,
construction, or design of the vessel. The First District Prevention
Department further finds and certifies that the vessel's sidelights,
located in a position 15'3'' forward of frame 14 and 5'3'' below the
top of the bridge/02 Deck mounted to the bridge wing, are in the closet
possible compliance with the applicable provisions of the 72
COLREGS.\6\
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\6\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(a); 33 CFR 81.9.
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This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33
CFR 81.18.
[[Page 12200]]
Dated: March 12, 2018.
Byron L. Black,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, First Coast
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-05608 Filed 3-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P