Notice2026-03035
Certificate of Alternate Compliance for PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79)
Primary source
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Published
February 17, 2026
Effective
February 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentNavy Department
Abstract
The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7267-7268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03035]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Certificate of Alternate Compliance for PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN
79)
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of Certificate of Alternate Compliance.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate
Compliance has been issued for PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79). Due to the
special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel
of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the
[[Page 7268]]
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.
DATES: This Certificate of Alternate Compliance is effective February
17, 2026 and is applicable beginning October 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Ryan Feingold,
JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate
General, Admiralty and Claims Division (Code 15), 1322 Patterson Ave.
SE, Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066, 202-685-5075, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0d1d4ddd9c2d1dcc4c9f0c5c39eded1c6c99eddd9dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="debfbab3b7acbfb2aaa79eabadf0b0bfa8a7f0b3b7b2">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose. Executive Order
(E.O) 11964 (42 FR 4327; January 19, 1977) and 33 U.S.C. 1605 provide
that the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), as to the number, position,
range, or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the
disposition and characteristics of sound-signaling appliances, shall
not apply to a vessel or class of vessels of the Navy where the
Secretary of the Navy shall find and certify that, by reason of special
construction or purpose, it is not possible for such vessel(s) to
comply fully with the provisions without interfering with the special
function of the vessel(s). Notice of issuance of a Certificate of
Alternate Compliance must be made in the Federal Register.
In accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1605, the Admiralty Counsel of the
Navy, under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, hereby
finds and certifies that PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79) is a vessel of
special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position
of the following navigational lights, it is not possible to comply
fully with the requirements of the provisions enumerated in the 72
COLREGS without interfering with the special function of the vessel:
Rule 21(a) pertaining to the arc of visibility of the forward and
aft masthead lights; Rule 21(b) pertaining to the arc of visibility of
the port and starboard sidelights; Rule 21(c) pertaining to the arc of
visibility of the sternlight; Rule 30(a)(i) and 30(a)(ii) pertaining to
the location and arc of visibility of the all-round anchor lights,
forward and aft; Annex I, Paragraph (3)(a) pertaining to the location
of the forward masthead light in relation to the forward quarter of the
ship; and Annex I, Paragraph 2(g) pertaining to the height of the port
and starboard sidelights.
The Admiralty Counsel of the Navy further finds and certifies that
these navigational lights are in closest possible compliance with the
applicable provision of the 72 COLREGS.
(Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605(c), E.O. 11964)
Dated: February 11, 2026.
J.F. Siladi,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-03035 Filed 2-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
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