[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 26490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12288]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0453]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the M/V SAMANTHA S

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 Chief, Prevention Division, 
Thirteenth District has issued a certificate of alternative compliance 
from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 
1972 (72 COLREGS), for the M/V SAMANTHA S (O.N. 1283014). We are 
issuing this notice because its publication is required by statute. Due 
to the construction and placement of the towing gear, deck equipment 
and required lights, the M/V SAMANTHA S 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 May 31, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LT B. Luke Woods, Thirteenth District, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-7232, email 
[email protected]@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, 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 Chief, Prevention Division, of the Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that the M/V SAMANTHA S (O.N. 
1283014) is a vessel of special construction or purpose, and that, with 
respect to the position of the sternlight, towing light and 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, construction, or design of the vessel. The Chief, 
Prevention Division, of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast 
Guard further finds and certifies that the sternlight, towing light and 
sidelights, are in the closest 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.

    Dated: May 31, 2018.
D.L. Brown,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Prevention Division, 
Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-12288 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


