Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Towing Vessel CAPE HATTERAS
| Published date | 11 June 2019 |
| Citation | 84 FR 27147 |
| Record Number | 2019-12229 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Coast Guard |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27147-27148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12229]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2019-0423]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Towing Vessel CAPE
HATTERAS
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 Fifth District, Chief of
Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative compliance
from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,
1972 (72 COLREGS), for the towing vessel CAPE HATTERAS, Official Number
(O.N.) 1293071, Master Boat Builders Hull Number 460. We are issuing
this notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to its
construction, purpose and service, the towing vessel CAPE HATTERAS
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 June 5,
2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about
this notice call or email LCDR Ronaydee M. Marquez, District Five,
Asst. Chief, Inspections and Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone: 757-398-6682, 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, however, specified 72 COLREGS provisions
are not applicable to a vessel of special construction or purpose if
the Coast Guard determines that the vessel cannot comply fully with
those requirements without interfering with the special function of the
vessel.\1\
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\1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605.
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The owner, builder, operator, or agent of a special construction or
purpose vessel may apply to the Coast Guard District Office in which
the vessel is being built or operated for a determination that
compliance with alternative requirements is justified,\2\ and the Chief
of the Prevention Division would then issue the applicant a certificate
of alternative compliance (COAC) if he or she determines that the
vessel cannot comply fully with 72 COLREGS light, shape, and sound
signal provisions without interference with the vessel's special
function.\3\ If the Coast Guard issues a COAC, it must publish notice
of this action in the Federal Register.\4\ Because CAPE HATTERAS
operates out of Wilmington, Delaware, within Coast Guard Fifth
District, this office is authorized to issue the COAC.
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\2\ 33 CFR 81.5.
\3\ 33 CFR 81.9.
\4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.
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The Fifth District, Chief of Prevention Division, U.S. Coast Guard,
certifies that the CAPE HATTERAS, O.N. 1293071 is a vessel of special
construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position of the
sidelights, it is not possible to comply fully with the requirements of
the provisions enumerated in the 72 COLREGS, without interfering with
the normal operation, or design of the vessel. The vessel is a dual-
mode Articulated Tug (ATB), which intends to operate as an ATB as well
as multiple other modes such as towing alongside, harbor ship/barge
assist tug and towing on a towline. Placing the sidelights at or near
the side of the vessel would interfere with the vessel's purpose and
operations, and would place the sidelights at risk of damage during the
course of normal operations. The sidelights will be
[[Page 27148]]
installed on the elevated pilothouse, 6'7'' inboard from the sides of
the vessel. The Fifth District, Chief of Prevention Division further
finds and certifies that the sidelights are in the closet possible
compliance with the applicable provisions of the 72 COLREGS.\5\
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\5\ 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.
Dated: June 5, 2019.
J. A. Stockwell,
CDR, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Prevention Division, Fifth Coast
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2019-12229 Filed 6-10-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
