Overview
Title
Certificate of Alternate Compliance for USS SAVANNAH (LCS 28)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The USS SAVANNAH is a special Navy ship that has some unique features, so it can't use regular boat lights exactly like other ships do. This is a way to let people know that when they see this ship, its lights might look a bit different, but that's okay because it's made to do special things.
Summary AI
The U.S. Navy has issued a Certificate of Alternate Compliance for the USS SAVANNAH (LCS 28) because its special design prevents it from fully adhering to certain navigation light requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS). Due to these unique design features, complying with the 72 COLREGS would interfere with the ship’s functions as a naval vessel. This notice serves to inform mariners that the USS SAVANNAH will not meet the standard requirements for navigation lights in areas where these rules apply. The certificate took effect on February 8, 2021.
Abstract
The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS SAVANNAH (LCS 28). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Register document announces the issuance of a Certificate of Alternate Compliance for the USS SAVANNAH (LCS 28), a ship in the U.S. Navy. This certificate acknowledges that the USS SAVANNAH cannot fully adhere to certain navigation light requirements as outlined by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, known as the 72 COLREGS. The ship's special construction and design purpose make full compliance impractical, which this notice formally records. Mariners and stakeholders are informed through this notice that, in regulated waters, the USS SAVANNAH may exhibit non-standard navigation lights due to these special circumstances. This certification became effective on February 8, 2021.
General Summary
The document is an official notice from the Department of the Navy about a compliance certificate relevant to naval operations and maritime navigation laws. The USS SAVANNAH, due to its unique design for military purposes, cannot fully meet standard maritime regulations concerning positioning and visibility of navigation lights. The Certificate of Alternate Compliance effectively allows the ship to operate while recognizing it will not fully meet these international standards, thus forewarning other maritime entities.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues are apparent in the document. Notably, it does not detail what specific aspects or characteristics of the USS SAVANNAH's design necessitate this deviation. Lack of detail might lead to confusion or misunderstanding among mariners or the general public about what makes the ship's design incompatible with established regulations. Additionally, there is an assumed understanding of specific legislative texts and maritime law, without any provided explanation or context regarding Executive Order 11964 or Title 33 of the U.S. Code. This assumption may render the document challenging for individuals not well-versed in maritime legalities. Lastly, the technical language regarding navigation light regulations might be overly complex for a lay audience, further complicating public understanding.
Impact on the Public
The issuance of such a certificate and its announcement in the Federal Register are designed to ensure transparency and safety in maritime operations. For the general public, it underscores the importance of accommodating unique military vessels within international frameworks. Practically, it means little to the everyday individual unless they are involved in maritime navigation or legalities.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For mariners operating in areas where the 72 COLREGS apply, awareness of the USS SAVANNAH's non-standard navigation lights is crucial to prevent collisions and ensure maritime safety. Maritime insurance companies and other regulatory bodies may also find this information pertinent when considering liabilities and compliance issues.
From a naval perspective, this certificate showcases the necessary flexibility required for military vessels, suggesting that their operational capabilities and mission profiles might occasionally necessitate deviations from standard frameworks. It could set precedence for future cases where naval or military needs conflict with civilian maritime regulations.
In conclusion, while the document navigates the complex intersection of military necessity and civilian maritime regulation, its breadth of detail and legal jargon may limit accessibility and understanding for those outside legal or maritime professions. Nonetheless, it fundamentally maintains the spirit of safety, compliance, and transparency within the maritime environment.
Issues
• The notice does not specify the exact nature and extent of the special construction or purpose of the USS SAVANNAH (LCS 28) that prevents compliance with 72 COLREGS, which could lead to ambiguity for mariners or other stakeholders.
• The document assumes familiarity with specific legal references, such as Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605, without providing a summary or explanation, which might make it difficult for those unfamiliar with maritime law to understand the basis for the issuance of the Certificate of Alternate Compliance.
• The language regarding specific clauses of the 72 COLREGS and the associated annexes might be overly complex for laypersons, such as 'Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i), pertaining to the vertical position of the forward masthead lights', possibly impacting understanding without further clarification or simplification.