[Federal Register: June 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 112)]
[Notices]
[Page 28053-28054]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12jn09-77]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2009-0431]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the Offshore Supply
Vessel BLN HULL 563
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative
Compliance was issued for the offshore supply vessel BLN HULL 563 as
required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.
DATES: The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on May 13,
2009.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice is available for inspection or
copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation,
[[Page 28054]]
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. You may also find this docket on the Internet
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, selecting the Advanced Docket
Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0431
in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in
the Docket ID column.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice,
call CWO2 David Mauldin, District Eight, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast
Guard, telephone 504-671-2153. If you have questions on viewing or
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Purpose
The offshore supply vessel BLN HULL 563 will be used for offshore
supply operations. Full compliance with 72 COLREGS and Inland Rules Act
will hinder the vessel's ability to maneuver within close proximity of
offshore platforms. Due to the design of the vessel, it would be
difficult and impractical to build a supporting structure that would
put the side lights within 5.6' from the greatest breadth of the
vessel, as required by Annex I, paragraph 3(b) of the 72 COLREGS and
Annex I, Section 84.05(b) of the Inland Rules Act. Compliance with the
rule would cause the lights on the supply vessel BLN HULL 563 to be in
a location which would be highly susceptible to damage from offshore
platforms. The supply vessel BLN HULL 563 cannot comply fully with
lighting requirements as set out in international regulations without
interfering with the special function of the vessel (33 U.S.C. 1605(c);
33 CFR 81.18).
Locating the sidelights 12'-4\1/4\'' inboard from the greatest
breadth of the vessel on the pilot house will provide a shelter
location for the lights and allow maneuvering within close proximity to
offshore platforms. In addition, the forward masthead light may be
located on the top forward portion of the pilothouse 38'-2\1/4\'' above
the hull. Placing the forward masthead light at the height required by
Annex I, paragraph 2(a) of the 72 COLREGS would result in a masthead
light location highly susceptible to damage when working in close
proximity to offshore platforms. Furthermore, the horizontal distance
between the forward and aft masthead lights may be 18'-10\9/16\''.
Placing the aft masthead light at the horizontal distance from the
forward masthead light, as required by Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of the
72 COLREGS, and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act,
would result in an aft masthead light location directly over the aft
cargo deck where it would interfere with loading and unloading
operations. Lastly, the aft anchor light may be placed 25'-1\5/16\''
off centerline to the starboard side of the vessel, just forward of the
stern. Placing the aft anchor light directly over the aft cargo deck
would interfere with loading and unloading operations.
The Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the placement
of the sidelights to deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I,
paragraph 3(b) of 72 COLREGS, and Annex I, paragraph 84.05(b) of the
Inland Rules Act. In addition, the Certificate of Alternative
Compliance allows for the vertical placement of the forward masthead
light to deviate from requirements set forth in Annex I, paragraph 2(a)
of 72 COLREGS. Furthermore, the Certificate of Alternative Compliance
allows for the horizontal separation of the forward and aft masthead
lights to deviate from the requirements of Annex I, paragraph 3(a) of
72 COLREGS, and Annex I, Section 84.05(a) of the Inland Rules Act.
Lastly, the Certificate of Alternative Compliance allows for the
placement of the aft anchor light to deviate from the requirements of
Rule 30(a)(ii) of 72 COLREGS and Rule 30(a)(ii) of the Inland Rules
Act.
This notice is issued under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), and 33
CFR 81.18.
Dated: May 15, 2009.
Verne B. Gifford,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, By Direction of the Commander, Eighth Coast
Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-13773 Filed 6-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P