Notice2026-09029
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the AHT SAKMAN
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 7, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard announces that the U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the ANCHOR HANDLING TUG (AHT) SAKMAN (ON 1362284). We are issuing this notice because its publication is required by statute. Due to the construction and placement of the forward superstructure and aft working deck, the AHT SKAMAN cannot fully comply with the lighting 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 24887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09029]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2026-0351]
Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the AHT SAKMAN
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 U.S. Coast Guard Oceania
District Prevention Division has issued a certificate of alternative
compliance from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), for the ANCHOR HANDLING TUG (AHT) SAKMAN (ON
1362284). We are issuing this notice because its publication is
required by statute. Due to the construction and placement of the
forward superstructure and aft working deck, the AHT SKAMAN cannot
fully comply with the lighting 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 March
20, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information or questions about
this notice call or email CDR Simone Mausz, Oceania District (dpi),
U.S. Coast Guard; (571) 607-6091, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f7849e9a989992d99a9682848db782849490d99a9e9b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a39232725242f64272b3f39300a3f39292d64272326">[email protected]</span></a>.
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\
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\1\ 33 U.S.C. 1605.
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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 will 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\
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\2\ 33 CFR 81.5.
\3\ 33 CFR 81.9.
\4\ 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.
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The Chief of Prevention Division, Oceania District, U.S. Coast
Guard, certifies that the AHT SAKMAN (ON 1362284) is a vessel of
special construction or purpose, and that, with respect to the position
of the forward superstructure and aft working deck, it is not possible
to comply fully with the lighting and special shapes requirements of
the provisions enumerated in the 72 COLREGS, without interfering with
the normal operation, construction, or design of the vessel. The Chief
of Prevention Division, Oceania District, U.S. Coast Guard, further
finds and certifies that the due to the construction and placement of
the forward superstructure and aft working deck, the current lighting
configuration placing the stern light and towing light at frame 40, and
the vertical and horizontal spacing of lights 1m and 24m respectively,
are in the closest possible compliance with the applicable provisions
of the 72 COLREGS.\5\
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\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.
Erin E. Williams,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Prevention Division, Coast Guard
Oceania District.
[FR Doc. 2026-09029 Filed 5-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 7, 2026.
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