
[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 <Kevin.L.Miller2@uscg.mil>.

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


