SEC. 403. PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS AN-
CHORED 
IN 
ESTABLISHED 
ANCHORAGE 
GROUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 70006 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70006. Anchorage grounds 
‘‘(a) ANCHORAGE GROUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall define and establish anchorage grounds in the 
navigable waters of the United States for vessels op-
erating in such waters. 
‘‘(2) RELEVANT
FACTORS
FOR
ESTABLISH-
MENT.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall take into account all relevant factors 
concerning navigational safety, protection of the ma-
rine environment, proximity to undersea pipelines 
and cables, safe and efficient use of Marine Trans-
portation System, and national security. 
‘‘(b) VESSEL REQUIREMENTS.—Vessels, of certain 
sizes or type determined by the Secretary, shall— 
‘‘(1) set and maintain an anchor alarm for the 
duration of an anchorage; 
‘‘(2) comply with any directions or orders 
issued by the Captain of the Port; and 
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‘‘(3) comply with any applicable anchorage reg-
ulations. 
‘‘(c) PROHIBITIONS.—A vessel may not— 
‘‘(1) anchor in any Federal navigation channel 
unless authorized or directed to by the Captain of 
the Port; 
‘‘(2) anchor in near proximity, within distances 
determined by the Coast Guard, to an undersea 
pipeline or cable, unless authorized or directed to by 
the Captain of the Port; and 
‘‘(3) anchor or remain anchored in an anchor-
age ground during any period in which the Captain 
of the Port orders closure of the anchorage ground 
due to inclement weather, navigational hazard, a 
threat to the environment, or other safety or secu-
rity concern. 
‘‘(d) SAFETY EXCEPTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to prevent a vessel from taking actions 
necessary to maintain the safety of the vessel or to prevent 
the loss of life or property.’’. 
(b) REGULATORY REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating shall complete a review of existing an-
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chorage regulations and identify regulations that 
may need modification— 
(A) in the interest of marine safety, secu-
rity, and environmental concerns, taking into 
account undersea pipelines, cables, or other in-
frastructure; and 
(B) to implement the amendments made 
by this section. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Upon completion of the review 
under paragraph (1), but not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall provide a briefing to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Mar-
itime Transportation of the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives that summarizes the review. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 70006 and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘70006. Anchorage grounds.’’. 
(d) APPLICABILITY OF REGULATIONS.—The amend-
ments made by subsection (a) may not be construed to 
alter any existing rules, regulations, or final agency ac-
tions issued under section 70006 of title 46, United States 
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