(A) by moving the matter beginning with 
‘‘the Secretary shall’’ in paragraph (1) 2 ems to 
the right; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) FISHERY
COOPERATIVE
EXIT
PROVI-
SIONS.— 
‘‘(A) FISHING
ALLOWANCE
DETERMINA-
TION.—For purposes of determining the aggre-
gate percentage of directed fishing allowances 
under paragraph (1), when a catcher vessel is 
removed from the directed pollock fishery, the 
fishery allowance for pollock for the vessel being 
removed— 
‘‘(i) shall be based on the catch his-
tory determination for the vessel made 
pursuant to section 679.62 of title 50, 
Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
on the date of enactment of the Maritime 
Safety Act of 2009; and 
‘‘(ii) shall be assigned, for all pur-
poses under this title, in the manner speci-
fied by the owner of the vessel being re-
moved to any other catcher vessel or 
among other catcher vessels participating 
in the fishery cooperative if such vessel or 
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vessels remain in the fishery cooperative 
for at least one year after the date on 
which the vessel being removed leaves the 
directed pollock fishery. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBILITY FOR FISHERY ENDORSE-
MENT.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(C), a vessel that is removed pursuant to this 
paragraph shall be permanently ineligible for a 
fishery endorsement, and any claim (including 
relating to catch history) associated with such 
vessel that could qualify any owner of such ves-
sel for any permit to participate in any fishery 
within the exclusive economic zone of the 
United States shall be extinguished, unless such 
removed vessel is thereafter designated to re-
place a vessel to be removed pursuant to this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(C) LIMITATIONS
ON
STATUTORY
CON-
STRUCTION.—Nothing in this paragraph shall 
be construed— 
‘‘(i) to make the vessels AJ (United 
States official number 905625), DONA 
MARTITA (United States official number 
651751), NORDIC EXPLORER (United 
States 
official 
number 
678234), 
and 
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PROVIDIAN (United States official num-
ber 1062183) ineligible for a fishery en-
dorsement or any permit necessary to par-
ticipate in any fishery under the authority 
of the New England Fishery Management 
Council or the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Man-
agement Council established, respectively, 
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of sec-
tion 302(a)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act; or 
‘‘(ii) to allow the vessels referred to in 
clause (i) to participate in any fishery 
under the authority of the Councils re-
ferred to in clause (i) in any manner that 
is not consistent with the fishery manage-
ment plan for the fishery developed by the 
Councils under section 303 of the Magnu-
son-Stevens Act.’’. 
SEC. 3. COLD WEATHER SURVIVAL TRAINING. 
(a) REPORT.—The Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall report to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the efficacy of cold weather survival training 
conducted by the Coast Guard in Coast Guard District 
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17 over the preceding 5 years. The report shall include 
plans for conducting such training in fiscal years 2010 
through 2013. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS
FOR 
TRAINING.—There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Homeland Security $150,000 to carry out 
cold weather survival training in Coast Guard District 17. 
SEC. 4. FISHING VESSEL SAFETY. 
(a) SAFETY STANDARDS.—Section 4502 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by— 
(A) striking paragraphs (6) and (7) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(6) other equipment required to minimize the 
risk of injury to the crew during vessel operations, 
if the Secretary determines that a risk of serious in-
jury exists that can be eliminated or mitigated by 
that equipment; and’’; and 
(B) redesignating paragraph (8) as para-
graph (7); 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘docu-
mented’’; 
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(B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘the 
Boundary Line’’ and inserting ‘‘3 nautical miles 
from the baseline from which the territorial sea 
of the United States is measured or beyond 3 
nautical miles from the coastline of the Great 
Lakes’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘life-
boats or liferafts’’ and inserting ‘‘a survival 
craft that ensures that no part of an individual 
is immersed in water’’; 
(D) in paragraph (2)(D), by inserting 
‘‘marine’’ before ‘‘radio’’; 
(E) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking 
‘‘radar reflectors, nautical charts, and anchors’’ 
and inserting ‘‘nautical charts, and publica-
tions’’; 
(F) in paragraph (2)(F), by striking ‘‘, in-
cluding medicine chests’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
medical supplies sufficient for the size and area 
of operation of the vessel’’ and 
(G) by amending paragraph (2)(G) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(G) ground tackle sufficient for the vessel.’’; 
(3) by amending subsection (f) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(f) To ensure compliance with the requirements of 
this chapter, the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) shall require the individual in charge of a 
vessel described in subsection (b) to keep a record 
of equipment maintenance, and required instruction 
and drills; and 
‘‘(2) shall examine at dockside a vessel de-
scribed in subsection (b) at least once every 2 years, 
and shall issue a certificate of compliance to a vessel 
meeting the requirements of this chapter.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g)(1) The individual in charge of a vessel described 
in subsection (b) must pass a training program approved 
by the Secretary that meets the requirements in para-
graph (2) of this subsection and hold a valid certificate 
issued under that program. 
‘‘(2) The training program shall— 
‘‘(A) be based on professional knowledge and 
skill obtained through sea service and hands-on 
training, including training in seamanship, stability, 
collision prevention, navigation, fire fighting and 
prevention, damage control, personal survival, emer-
gency medical care, emergency drills, and weather; 
‘‘(B) require an individual to demonstrate abil-
ity to communicate in an emergency situation and 
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understand information found in navigation publica-
tions; 
‘‘(C) recognize and give credit for recent past 
experience in fishing vessel operation; and 
‘‘(D) provide for issuance of a certificate to an 
individual that has successfully completed the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations imple-
menting this subsection. The regulations shall require that 
individuals who are issued a certificate under paragraph 
(2)(D) must complete refresher training at least once 
every 5 years as a condition of maintaining the validity 
of the certificate. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall establish a publicly acces-
sible electronic database listing the names of individuals 
who have participated in and received a certificate con-
firming successful completion of a training program ap-
proved by the Secretary under this section. 
‘‘(h) A vessel to which this chapter applies shall be 
constructed in a manner that provides a level of safety 
equivalent to the minimum safety standards the Secretary 
may established for recreational vessels under section 
4302, if— 
‘‘(1) subsection (b) of this section applies to the 
vessel; 
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‘‘(2) the vessel is less than 50 feet overall in 
length; and 
‘‘(3) the vessel is built after January 1, 2010. 
‘‘(i)(1) The Secretary shall establish a Fishing Safety 
Training Grants Program to provide funding to munici-
palities, port authorities, other appropriate public entities, 
not-for-profit organizations, and other qualified persons 
that provide commercial fishing safety training— 
‘‘(A) to conduct fishing vessel safety training 
for vessel operators and crewmembers that— 
‘‘(i) in the case of vessel operators, meets 
the requirements of subsection (g); and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of crewmembers, meets 
the requirements of subsection (g)(2)(A), such 
requirements of subsection (g)(2)(B) as are ap-
propriate for crewmembers, and the require-
ments of subsections (g)(2)(D), (g)(3), and 
(g)(4); and 
‘‘(B) for purchase of safety equipment and 
training aids for use in those fishing vessel safety 
training programs. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this 
subsection on a competitive basis. 
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‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity 
carried out with a grant under this subsection shall not 
exceed 75 percent. 
‘‘(4) There is authorized to be appropriated 
$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 
for grants under this subsection. 
‘‘(j)(1) The Secretary shall establish a Fishing Safety 
Research Grant Program to provide funding to individuals 
in academia, members of non-profit organizations and 
businesses involved in fishing and maritime matters, and 
other persons with expertise in fishing safety, to conduct 
research on methods of improving the safety of the com-
mercial fishing industry, including vessel design, emer-
gency and survival equipment, enhancement of vessel mon-
itoring systems, communications devices, de-icing tech-
nology, and severe weather detection. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this 
subsection on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity 
carried out with a grant under this subsection shall not 
exceed 75 percent. 
‘‘(4) There is authorized to be appropriated 
$3,000,000 for each fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for 
activities under this subsection.’’. 
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 4506(b) of 
title 46, United States Code, is repealed. 
(c) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) CHANGE OF NAME.—Section 4508 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘§ 4508. Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Com-
mittee’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Industry 
Vessel’’. 
(2) 
MEMBERSHIP
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
4508(b)(1) of that title is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘seventeen’’ and inserting 
‘‘eighteen’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by striking ‘‘from the commercial fishing 
industry who—’’ and inserting ‘‘who shall 
represent the commercial fishing industry 
and who—’’; and 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘an 
uninspected’’ and inserting ‘‘a’’; 
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(C) by striking subparagraph (B) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(B) three members who shall represent the 
general public, including, whenever possible— 
‘‘(i) an independent expert or consultant in 
maritime safety; 
‘‘(ii) a marine surveyor who provides serv-
ices to vessels to which this chapter applies; and 
‘‘(iii) a person familiar with issues affect-
ing fishing communities and families of fisher-
men;’’; and 
(D) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by striking ‘‘representing each of—’’ and 
inserting ‘‘each of whom shall represent— 
’’; 
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘or ma-
rine surveyors;’’ and inserting ‘‘and marine 
engineers;’’; 
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon at the end; 
(iv) in clause (iv), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following 
new clause: 
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‘‘(v) owners of vessels to which this 
chapter applies.’’. 
(3) TERMINATION.—Section 4508(e)(1) of that 
title is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2010.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2020.’’. 
(4) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tion at the beginning of chapter 45 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
relating to such section and inserting the following: 
‘‘4508. Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee.’’. 
(d) LOADLINES FOR VESSELS 79 FEET OR GREATER 
IN LENGTH.—Section 5102(b)(3) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after ‘‘vessel’’ the 
following ‘‘, unless the vessel is built or undergoes a major 
conversion completed after July 1, 2010’’. 
(e) CLASSING OF VESSELS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 4503 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘§ 4503. Fishing, fish tender, and fish processing ves-
sel certification’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘fish 
processing’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(c) This section applies to a vessel to which section 
4502(b) of this title applies that is at least 50 feet overall 
in length and— 
‘‘(1) is built after July 1, 2010; or 
‘‘(2) undergoes a major conversion completed 
after that date. 
‘‘(d)(1) After January 1, 2020, a fishing vessel, fish 
processing vessel, or fish tender vessel to which section 
4502(b) of this title applies shall comply with an alternate 
safety compliance program that is developed in coopera-
tion with the commercial fishing industry and prescribed 
by the Secretary, if the vessel— 
‘‘(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length; 
‘‘(B) is built before July 1, 2010; and 
‘‘(C) is 25 years of age or older. 
‘‘(2) Alternative safety compliance programs may be 
developed for purposes of paragraph (1) for specific re-
gions and fisheries. 
‘‘(3) A fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish 
tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title applies 
that was classed before July 1, 2010, shall— 
‘‘(A) remain subject to the requirements of a 
classification society approved by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) have on board a certificate from that soci-
ety.’’. 
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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tion at the beginning of chapter 45 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
relating to such section and inserting the following: 
‘‘4503. Fishing, fish tender, and fish processing vessel certification.’’. 
(f) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.— 
No later than January 1, 2017, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall pre-
scribe an alternative safety compliance program referred 
to in section 4503(d) of the title 46, United States Code, 
as amended by this section. 
SEC. 5. MARINER RECORDS. 
Section 7502 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a)’’ before ‘‘The’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘computerized records’’ and in-
serting ‘‘records, including electronic records,’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations requir-
ing a vessel owner or managing operator of a commercial 
vessel, or the employer of a seaman on that vessel, to 
maintain records of each individual engaged on the vessel 
on matters of engagement, discharge, and service for not 
less than 5 years after the date of the completion of the 
service of that individual on the vessel. The regulations 
may require that a vessel owner, managing operator, or 
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employer shall make these records available to the indi-
vidual and the Coast Guard on request. 
‘‘(c) A person violating this section, or a regulation 
prescribed under this section, is liable to the United States 
Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.’’. 
SEC. 6. DELETION OF EXEMPTION OF LICENSE REQUIRE-
MENT FOR OPERATORS OF CERTAIN TOWING 
VESSELS. 
Section 8905 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (b). 
SEC. 7. LOG BOOKS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 113 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 11304. Additional logbook and entry requirements 
‘‘(a) A vessel of the United States that is subject to 
inspection under section 3301 of this title, except a vessel 
on a voyage from a port in the United States to a port 
in Canada, shall have an official logbook, which shall be 
kept available for review by the Secretary on request. 
‘‘(b) The log book required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following entries: 
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‘‘(1) The time when each seaman and each offi-
cer assumed or relieved the watch. 
‘‘(2) The number of hours in service to the ves-
sels of each seaman and each officer. 
‘‘(3) An account of each accident, illness, and 
injury that occurs during each watch.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘11304. Additional logbook and entry requirements.’’. 
SEC. 8. SAFE OPERATIONS AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 21 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new sections: 
‘‘§ 2116. Termination for unsafe operation 
‘‘An individual authorized to enforce this title— 
‘‘(1) may remove a certificate required by this 
title from a vessel that is operating in a condition 
that does not comply with the provisions of the cer-
tificate; 
‘‘(2) may order the individual in charge of a 
vessel that is operating that does not have on board 
the certificate required by this title to return the 
vessel to a mooring and to remain there until the 
vessel is in compliance with this title; and 
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‘‘(3) may direct the individual in charge of a 
vessel to which this title applies to immediately take 
reasonable steps necessary for the safety of individ-
uals on board the vessel if the official observes the 
vessel being operated in an unsafe condition that the 
official believes creates an especially hazardous con-
dition, including ordering the individual in charge to 
return the vessel to a mooring and to remain there 
until the situation creating the hazard is corrected 
or ended. 
‘‘§ 2117. Establishment of equipment standards 
‘‘(a) In establishing standards for approved equip-
ment required on vessels subject to part B of this title, 
the Secretary shall establish standards that are— 
‘‘(1) based on performance using the best avail-
able technology that is economically achievable; and 
‘‘(2) operationally practical. 
‘‘(b) Using the standards established under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may also certify lifesaving equip-
ment that is not required to be carried on vessels subject 
to part B of this title to ensure that such equipment is 
suitable for its intended purpose. 
‘‘(c) At least once every 10 years the Secretary shall 
review and revise the standards established under sub-
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section (a) to ensure that the standards meet the require-
ments of this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of that title is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘2116. Termination for unsafe operation. 
‘‘2117. Establishment of equipment standards.’’. 
SEC. 9. APPROVAL OF SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 31 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 3104. Survival craft 
‘‘(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Sec-
retary may not approve a survival craft as a safety device 
for purposes of this part, unless the craft ensures that 
no part of an individual is immersed in water. 
‘‘(b) The Secretary may authorize a survival craft 
that does not provide protection described in subsection 
(a) to remain in service until not later than January 1, 
2015, if— 
‘‘(1) it was approved by the Secretary before 
January 1, 2010; and 
‘‘(2) it is in serviceable condition.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of that title is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘3104. Survival craft.’’. 
SEC. 10. SAFETY MANAGEMENT. 
(a) VESSELS TO WHICH REQUIREMENTS APPLY.— 
Section 3202 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking the heading 
and inserting ‘‘FOREIGN VOYAGES
AND FOREIGN 
VESSELS.—’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) OTHER PASSENGER VESSELS.—This chapter 
applies to a vessel that is— 
‘‘(1) a passenger vessel or small passenger ves-
sel; and 
‘‘(2) is transporting more passengers than a 
number prescribed by the Secretary based on the 
number of individuals on the vessel that could be 
killed or injured in a marine casualty.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(c)’’; 
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(5) in subsection (d)(4), as so redesignated, by 
inserting ‘‘that is not described in subsection (b) of 
this section’’ after ‘‘waters’’. 
(b) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.—Section 3203 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) In prescribing regulations for passenger vessels 
and small passenger vessels, the Secretary shall con-
sider— 
‘‘(1) the characteristics, methods of operation, 
and nature of the service of these vessels; and 
‘‘(2) with respect to vessels that are ferries, the 
sizes of the ferry systems within which the vessels 
operate.’’. 
SEC. 11. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2114 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘or’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(2) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) 
the following new subparagraphs: 
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‘‘(C) the seaman testified in a proceeding 
brought to enforce a maritime safety law or regula-
tion prescribed under that law; 
‘‘(D) the seaman notified, or attempted to no-
tify, the vessel owner or the Secretary of a work-re-
lated personal injury or work-related illness of a sea-
man; 
‘‘(E) the seaman cooperated with a safety in-
vestigation by the Secretary or the National Trans-
portation Safety Board; 
‘‘(F) the seaman furnished information to the 
Secretary, the National Transportation Safety 
Board, or any other public official as to the facts re-
lating to any marine casualty resulting in injury or 
death to an individual or damage to property occur-
ring in connection with vessel transportation; or 
‘‘(G) the seaman accurately reported hours of 
duty under this part.’’; and 
(4) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) A seaman alleging discharge or discrimination 
in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or another 
person at the seaman’s request, may file a complaint with 
respect to such allegation in the same manner as a com-
plaint may be filed under subsection (b) of section 31105 
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of title 49. Such complaint shall be subject to the proce-
dures, requirements, and rights described in that section, 
including with respect to the right to file an objection, the 
right of a person to file for a petition for review under 
subsection (c) of that section, and the requirement to 
bring a civil action under subsection (d) of that section.’’. 
(b) EXISTING ACTIONS.—This section shall not affect 
the application of section 2114(b) of title 46, United 
States Code, as in effect before the date of enactment of 
this Act, to an action filed under that section before that 
date. 
SEC. 12. OIL FUEL TANK PROTECTION. 
Section 3306 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(k)(1) Each vessel of the United States that is con-
structed under a contract entered into after the date of 
enactment of the Maritime Safety Act of 2009, or that 
is delivered after January 1, 2011, with an aggregate ca-
pacity of 600 cubic meters or more of oil fuel, shall comply 
with the requirements of Regulation 12A under Annex I 
to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Con-
vention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, 
entitled ‘Oil Fuel Tank Protection.’ 
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‘‘(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to 
apply the requirements described in Regulation 12A to 
vessels described in paragraph (1) that are not otherwise 
subject to that convention. Any such regulation shall be 
considered to be an interpretive rule for the purposes of 
section 553 of title 5. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection the term ‘oil fuel’ means any 
oil used as fuel in connection with the propulsion and aux-
iliary machinery of the vessel in which such oil is carried.’’. 
SEC. 13. OATHS. 
Sections 7105 and 7305 of title 46, United States 
Code, and the items relating to such sections in the anal-
ysis for chapters 71 and 73 of such title, are repealed. 
SEC. 14. DURATION OF CREDENTIALS. 
(a) MERCHANT MARINER’S DOCUMENTS.—Section 
7302(f) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(f) PERIODS OF VALIDITY AND RENEWAL OF MER-
CHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
section (g), a merchant mariner’s document issued 
under this chapter is valid for a 5-year period and 
may be renewed for additional 5-year periods. 
‘‘(2) ADVANCE
RENEWALS.—A renewed mer-
chant mariner’s document may be issued under this 
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chapter up to 8 months in advance but is not effec-
tive until the date that the previously issued mer-
chant mariner’s document expires or until the com-
pletion of any active suspension or revocation of that 
previously issued merchant mariner’s document, 
whichever is later.’’. 
(b) DURATION OF LICENSES.—Section 7106 of such 
title is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 7106. Duration of licenses 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A license issued under this part 
is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for addi-
tional 5-year periods; except that the validity of a license 
issued to a radio officer is conditioned on the continuous 
possession by the holder of a first-class or second-class ra-
diotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal Com-
munications Commission. 
‘‘(b) ADVANCE
RENEWALS.—A renewed license 
issued under this part may be issued up to 8 months in 
advance but is not effective until the date that the pre-
viously issued license expires or until the completion of 
any active suspension or revocation of that previously 
issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.’’. 
(c) CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY.—Section 7107 of 
such title is amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘§ 7107. Duration of certificates of registry 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A certificate of registry issued 
under this part is valid for a 5-year period and may be 
renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that the va-
lidity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor or profes-
sional nurse is conditioned on the continuous possession 
by the holder of a license as a medical doctor or registered 
nurse, respectively, issued by a State. 
‘‘(b) ADVANCE RENEWALS.—A renewed certificate of 
registry issued under this part may be issued up to 8 
months in advance but is not effective until the date that 
the previously issued certificate of registry expires or until 
the completion of any active suspension or revocation of 
that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, 
whichever is later.’’. 
SEC. 15. FINGERPRINTING. 
(a) MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES
AND DOCU-
MENTS.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7507. Fingerprinting 
‘‘The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating may not require an individual to be 
fingerprinted for the issuance or renewal of a license, a 
certificate of registry, or a merchant mariner’s document 
under chapter 71 or 73 if the individual was fingerprinted 
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when the individual applied for a transportation security 
card under section 70105.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘7507. Fingerprinting.’’. 
SEC. 16. AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF 
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY, AND 
MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS. 
(a) MERCHANT MARINER LICENSES
AND DOCU-
MENTS.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, as 
amended by section 15(a) of this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7508. Authority to extend the duration of licenses, 
certificates of registry, and merchant 
mariner documents 
‘‘(a) LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY.— 
Notwithstanding sections 7106 and 7107, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
may— 
‘‘(1) extend for not more than one year an ex-
piring license or certificate of registry issued for an 
individual under chapter 71 if the Secretary deter-
mines that the extension is required to enable the 
Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing ap-
plications for those licenses or certificates of registry 
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or in response to a national emergency or natural 
disaster, as deemed necessary by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(2) issue for not more than five years an ex-
piring license or certificate of registry issued for an 
individual under chapter 71 for the exclusive pur-
pose of aligning the expiration date of such license 
or certificate of registry with the expiration date of 
a merchant mariner’s document. 
‘‘(b) MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENTS.—Notwith-
standing section 7302(g), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) extend for not more than one year an ex-
piring merchant mariner’s document issued for an 
individual under chapter 71 if the Secretary deter-
mines that the extension is required to enable the 
Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing ap-
plications for those licenses or certificates of registry 
or in response to a national emergency or natural 
disaster, as deemed necessary by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(2) issue for not more than five years an ex-
piring merchant mariner’s document issued for an 
individual under chapter 71 for the exclusive pur-
pose of aligning the expiration date of such mer-
chant mariner’s document with the expiration date 
of a merchant mariner’s document. 
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‘‘(c) MANNER
OF
EXTENSION.—Any extensions 
granted under this section may be granted to individual 
seamen or a specifically identified group of seamen.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter, as amended by section 15(b), is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘7508. Authority to extend the duration of licenses, certificates of registry, and 
merchant mariner documents.’’. 
SEC. 17. MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENTATION. 
(a) INTERIM CLEARANCE PROCESS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard is op-
erating shall develop an interim clearance process for 
issuance of a merchant mariner document to enable a 
newly hired seaman to begin working on an offshore sup-
ply vessel or towing vessel if the Secretary makes an initial 
determination that the seaman does not pose a safety and 
security risk. 
(b) CONTENTS
OF PROCESS.—The process under 
subsection (a) shall include a check against the consoli-
dated and integrated terrorist watch list maintained by the 
Federal Government, review of the seaman’s criminal 
record, and review of the results of testing the seaman 
for use of a dangerous drug (as defined in section 2101 
of title 46, United States Code) in violation of law or Fed-
eral regulation. 
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SEC. 18. MERCHANT MARINER ASSISTANCE REPORT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report regarding the feasibility of— 
(1) expanding the streamlined evaluation proc-
ess program that was affiliated with the Houston 
Regional Examination Center of the Coast Guard to 
all processing centers of the Coast Guard nation-
wide; 
(2) including proposals to simplify the applica-
tion process for a license as an officer, staff officer, 
or operator and for a merchant mariner’s document 
to help eliminate errors by merchant mariners when 
completing the application form (CG–719B), includ-
ing instructions attached to the application form and 
a modified application form for renewals with ques-
tions pertaining only to the period of time since the 
previous application; 
(3) providing notice to an applicant of the sta-
tus of the pending application, including a process to 
allow the applicant to check on the status of the ap-
plication by electronic means; and 
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