Certificate of Alternative Compliance for the M/V MADELINE, 669921

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard announces that a Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued for the passenger vessel ferry MADELINE as required by 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18.

DATES:

The Certificate of Alternative Compliance was issued on January 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this notice is available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, 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,, inserting USCG-2013-0226 in the “SEARCH” box, and then clicking “Search.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this notice, call LT Steven Melvin, District Nine, Prevention Branch, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 216-902-6343. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

A Certificate of Alternative Compliance, as allowed for under 33 U.S.C. 1605(c) and 33 CFR 81.18, has been issued for the M/V MADELINE. The vessel's primary purpose is as an island passenger car ferry that operates on the south shore of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin. The unique design of the vessel did not lend itself to full compliance with Annex I of the Inland Rules Act.

The Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, certifies that full compliance with the Inland Rules Act would interfere with the special functions/intent of the vessel and would not significantly enhance the safety of the vessel's operation. Placing the starboard and port side lights in the required position would make them vulnerable to damage from the dock wall because of consistent lower than normal water levels on Lake Superior.

The Certificate of Alternative Compliance authorizes the M/V MADELINE to deviate from the requirements set forth in Annex I of the Inland Rules Act by placing its port and starboard lights on the main superstructure above the pilot house.

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