[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


