[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17849-17850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07038]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0124]


Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the USNS HARVEY MILK 
and USNS EARL WARREN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification of issuance of a certificate of alternative 
compliance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that the Eleventh Coast Guard 
District's Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative 
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the USNS HARVEY MILK (O.N. CG1473700) 
and USNS EARL WARREN (O.N. CG1473701). We are issuing this notice 
because its publication is required by statute. Due to the design and 
operation of the ship's whistles, USNS HARVEY MILK and USNS EARL WARREN 
cannot fully comply with the light, shape, or sound signal provisions 
of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with the design and construction 
of each vessel. This notification of issuance of a certificate of 
alternative compliance promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety 
mission.

[[Page 17850]]


DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on March 
22, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about 
this notice call or email LT Amanda Garcia, District Eleven, Prevention 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 510-437-3426, email 
Amanda.M.Garcia@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, 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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 33 CFR 81.5.
    \3\ 33 CFR 81.9.
    \4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Eleventh Coast Guard District's Prevention Division, U. S. 
Coast Guard, certifies that the USNS HARVEY MILK (O.N. CG1473700) and 
USNS EARL WARREN (O.N. CG1473701) are both vessels of special 
construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the operation of the 
ship's whistles, 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 each 
vessel. The Eleventh Coast Guard District's Prevention Division, U.S. 
Coast Guard further finds and certifies that the operation of the 
ship's whistles, are in the closest possible compliance with the 
applicable provisions of the 72 COLREGS.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(a); 33 CFR 81.9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 
CFR 81.18.

    Dated: March 30, 2021.
G.A. Callaghan,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Eleventh Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2021-07038 Filed 4-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


