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(c) MINIMUM NUMBER OF LICENSED INDIVIDUALS.— 
Section 8301(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(b)(1) An offshore supply vessel of less than 500 gross 
tons as measured under section 14502 of this title or 6,000 
gross tons as measured under section 14302 of this title on 
a voyage of less than 600 miles shall have a licensed mate. 
If the vessel is on a voyage of at least 600 miles, however, 
the vessel shall have 2 licensed mates. 
‘‘(2) An offshore supply vessel of at least 6,000 gross 
tons as measured under section 14302 of this title on a voy-
age of less than 600 miles shall have at least two licensed 
mates, provided the offshore supply vessel meets the require-
ments of section 8104(g)(2). An offshore supply vessel of at 
least 6,000 gross tons as measured under section 14302 of 
this title on a voyage of at least 600 miles shall have three 
licensed mates. 
‘‘(3) An offshore supply vessel of more than 200 gross 
tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an al-
ternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title 
as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this 
title, may not be operated without a licensed engineer.’’. 
(d) WATCHES.—Section 8104(g) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(g)’’; and
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(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) applies to an offshore supply vessel 
of at least 6,000 gross tons as measured under section 14302 
of this title if the individuals engaged on the vessel are in 
compliance with hours of service requirements (including re-
cording and recordkeeping of that service) as prescribed by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(e) OIL FUEL TANK PROTECTION.— 
(1) APPLICATION.—An offshore supply vessel of at 
least 6,000 gross tons as measured under section 14302 
of title 46, United States Code, that is constructed 
under a contract entered into after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, or that is delivered after August 1, 
2010, with an aggregate capacity 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 Convention for the Preven-
tion of Pollution from Ships, 1973, entitled Oil Fuel 
Tank Protection, regardless of whether such vessel is en-
gaged in the coastwise trade or on an international voy-
age. 
(2) DEFINITION.—In this subsection the term ‘‘oil 
fuel’’ means any oil used as fuel in connection with the 
propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the vessel in 
which such oil is carried.
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(f) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2012, 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating shall promulgate regulations to im-
plement the amendments and authorities enacted by this 
section for offshore supply vessels of at least 6,000 gross 
tons as measured under section 14302 of title 46, 
United States Code, and to ensure the safe carriage of 
oil, hazardous substances, and individuals in addition to 
the crew on such vessels. The final rule issued pursuant 
to such rulemaking may supersede the interim final rule 
promulgated under paragraph (2) of this subsection. In 
promulgating regulations under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall take into consideration the characteristics of 
offshore supply vessels, their methods of operation, and 
their service in support of exploration, exploitation, or 
production of offshore mineral or energy resources. 
(2) INTERIM FINAL RULE AUTHORITY.—As soon as 
is practicable and without regard to the provisions of 
chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, the Sec-
retary shall issue an interim final rule as a temporary 
regulation implementing this section (including the 
amendments made by this section) for offshore supply 
vessels of at least 6,000 gross tons as measured under 
section 14302 of title 46, United States Code, and to en-
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sure the safe carriage of oil, hazardous substances, and 
individuals in addition to the crew on such vessels. 
(3) INTERIM PERIOD.—After the effective date of 
this Act, prior to the effective date of the regulations 
prescribed by paragraph (2) of this subsection, and with-
out regard to the provisions of chapters 5 and 6 of title 
5, United States Code, and the offshore supply vessel 
tonnage limits of applicable regulations and policy guid-
ance promulgated prior to the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating may— 
(A) issue a certificate of inspection under sec-
tion 3309 of title 46, United States Code, to an off-
shore supply vessel of at least 6,000 gross tons as 
measured under section 14302 of that title if the 
Secretary determines that such vessel’s arrange-
ments and equipment meet the current Coast Guard 
requirements for certification as a cargo and mis-
cellaneous vessel; 
(B) authorize a master, mate, or engineer who 
possesses an ocean or near coastal license and en-
dorsement under part 11 of subchapter B of title 
46, Code of Federal Regulations, (or any successor 
regulation) that qualifies the licensed officer for 
service on offshore supply vessels of at least 3,000
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gross tons but less than 6,000 gross tons, as meas-
ured under section 14302 of title 46, United States 
Code, to operate offshore supply vessels of at least 
6,000 gross tons, as measured under such section; 
and 
(C) authorize any such master, mate, or engi-
neer who also possesses an ocean or near coastal li-
cense and endorsement under such part that quali-
fies the licensed officer for service on non trade-re-
stricted vessels of at least 1,600 gross tons but less 
than 3,000 gross tons, as measured under such sec-
tion, to increase the tonnage limitation of such li-
cense and endorsement under section 402(c) of such 
part, using service on vessels certificated under both 
subchapters I and L of such title and measured 
only under such section, except that such tonnage 
limitation shall not exceed 10,000 gross tons as 
measured under such section. 
SEC. 618. ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. 
Section 2101(1)(B) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘with the exception of emergency loca-
tor beacons for recreational vessels operating beyond 3 nau-
tical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea 
of the United States is measured or beyond 3 nautical miles 
from the coastline of the Great Lake,’’ before ‘‘does’’.
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SEC. 619. LIFESAVING DEVICES ON UNINSPECTED VESSELS. 
Section 4102(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring 
the installation, maintenance, and use of life preservers and 
other lifesaving devices for individuals on board uninspected 
vessels.’’. 
SEC. 620. STUDY OF BLENDED FUELS IN MARINE APPLICATION. 
(a) SURVEY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, acting through the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard, shall submit a survey of published data 
and reports, pertaining to the use, safety, and perform-
ance of blended fuels in marine applications, to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committees on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) INCLUDED INFORMATION.—To the extent pos-
sible, the survey required in subsection (a), shall include 
data and reports on— 
(A) the impact of blended fuel on the oper-
ation, durability, and performance of recreational 
and commercial marine engines, vessels, and marine 
engine and vessel components and associated equip-
ment;
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(B) the safety impacts of blended fuels on con-
sumers that own and operate recreational and com-
mercial marine engines and marine engine compo-
nents and associated equipment; and 
(C) to the extent available, fires and explosions 
on board vessels propelled by engines using blended 
fuels. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 36 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting 
through the Commandant, shall conduct a comprehen-
sive study on the use, safety, and performance of blend-
ed fuels in marine applications. The Secretary is author-
ized to conduct such study in conjunction with— 
(A) any other Federal agency; 
(B) any State government or agency; 
(C) any local government or agency, including 
local police and fire departments; and 
(D) any private entity, including engine and 
vessel manufacturers. 
(2) EVALUATION.—The study shall include an eval-
uation of— 
(A) the impact of blended fuel on the oper-
ation, durability and performance of recreational 
and commercial marine engines, vessels, and marine
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engine and vessel components and associated equip-
ment; 
(B) the safety impacts of blended fuels on con-
sumers that own and operate recreational and com-
mercial marine engines and marine engine compo-
nents and associated equipment; and 
(C) fires and explosions on board vessels pro-
pelled by engines using blended fuels. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity to carry out the survey and study under this section 
$1,000,000. 
SEC. 621. RENEWAL OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
(a) GREAT LAKES PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
Section 9307(f)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘September 30, 2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘Sep-
tember 30, 2020.’’. 
(b) NATIONAL BOATING SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL.— 
Section 13110 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by striking the first sentence; 
and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2020.’’. 
(c) HOUSTON-GALVESTON NAVIGATION SAFETY ADVI-
SORY COMMITTEE.—Section 18(h) of the Coast Guard Au-
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thorization Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–241 as amended by 
Public Law 104–324) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2020.’’. 
(d) LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERWAY SAFETY AD-
VISORY COMMITTEE.—Section 19 of the Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–241) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘twenty-four’’ and inserting ‘‘twenty-five’’; 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(12) One member representing the Associated 
Federal Pilots and Docking Masters of Louisiana.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2020.’’. 
(e) TOWING SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Act 
entitled ‘‘An Act To establish a Towing Safety Advisory Com-
mittee in the Department of Transportation’’, approved Octo-
ber 6, 1980, (33 U.S.C. 1231a) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) There is established a Towing Safety Advisory 
Committee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’). The 
Committee shall consist of eighteen members with particular
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expertise, knowledge, and experience regarding shallow-draft 
inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) Seven members representing the barge and 
towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance. 
‘‘(2) One member representing the offshore mineral 
and oil supply vessel industry. 
‘‘(3) One member representing holders of active li-
censed Masters or Pilots of towing vessels with experi-
ence on the Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway. 
‘‘(4) One member representing the holders of active 
licensed Masters of towing vessels in offshore service. 
‘‘(5) One member representing Masters who are ac-
tive ship-docking or harbor towing vessel. 
‘‘(6) One member representing licensed or unli-
censed towing vessel engineers with formal training and 
experience. 
‘‘(7) Two members representing each of the fol-
lowing groups: 
‘‘(A) Port districts, authorities, or terminal op-
erators. 
‘‘(B) Shippers (of whom at least one shall be 
engaged in the shipment of oil or hazardous mate-
rials by barge).
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‘‘(8) Two members representing the general pub-
lic.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2010.’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2020.’’. 
(f) NAVIGATION SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL.—Section 
5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (33 U.S.C. 
2073) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall estab-
lish a Navigation Safety Advisory Council (hereinafter 
referred to as the ‘Council’), consisting of not more than 
21 members. All members shall have expertise in Inland 
and International vessel navigation Rules of the Road, 
aids to maritime navigation, maritime law, vessel safety, 
port safety, or commercial diving safety. Upon appoint-
ment, all non-Federal members shall be designated as 
representative members to represent the viewpoints and 
interests of one of the following groups or organizations: 
‘‘(A) Commercial vessel owners or operators. 
‘‘(B) Professional mariners. 
‘‘(C) Recreational boaters. 
‘‘(D) The recreational boating industry.
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‘‘(E) State agencies responsible for vessel or 
port safety. 
‘‘(F) The Maritime Law Association. 
‘‘(2) PANELS.—Additional persons may be ap-
pointed to panels of the Council to assist the Council in 
performance of its functions. 
‘‘(3) NOMINATIONS.—The Secretary, through the 
Coast Guard Commandant, shall not less often than 
once a year publish a notice in the Federal Register so-
liciting nominations for membership on the Council. 
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Council shall advise, consult 
with, and make recommendations to the Secretary, through 
the Coast Guard Commandant, on matters relating to mari-
time collisions, rammings, groundings, Inland Rules of the 
Road, International Rules of the Road, navigation regulations 
and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving 
safety, and aids to navigation systems. Any advice and rec-
ommendations made by the Council to the Secretary shall re-
flect the independent judgment of the Council on the matter 
concerned. The Council shall meet at the call of the Coast 
Guard Commandant, but in any event not less than twice 
during each calendar year. All proceedings of the Council 
shall be public, and a record of the proceedings shall be made 
available for public inspection.’’; and
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society, for a United States offshore facility, the authority 
to— 
‘‘(A) review and approve plans required for issuing 
a certificate of inspection, a certificate of compliance, or 
any other certification and related documents issued by 
the Coast Guard pursuant to regulations issued under 
section 30 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1356); and 
‘‘(B) conduct inspections and examinations. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may make a delegation under para-
graph (1) to a foreign classification society only if— 
‘‘(A) the foreign society has offices and maintains 
records in the United States; and 
‘‘(B)(i) the government of the foreign country in 
which the foreign society is headquartered delegates that 
authority to the American Bureau of Shipping; or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary has entered into an agreement 
with the government of the foreign country in which the 
foreign society is headquartered that— 
‘‘(I) ensures the government of the foreign 
country will accept plan review, inspections, or ex-
aminations conducted by the American Bureau of 
Shipping and provide equivalent access to inspect, 
certify, and provide related services to offshore fa-
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cilities located in that country or operating under 
the authority of that country; and 
‘‘(II) is in full accord with principles of reci-
procity in regards to any delegation contemplated 
by the Secretary under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) If an inspection or examination is conducted under 
authority delegated under this subsection, the person to 
which the authority was delegated— 
‘‘(A) shall maintain in the United States complete 
files of all information derived from or necessarily con-
nected with the inspection or examination for at least 2 
years after the United States offshore facility ceases to 
be certified; and 
‘‘(B) shall permit access to those files at all reason-
able times to any officer, employee, or member of the 
Coast Guard designated— 
‘‘(i) as a marine inspector and serving in a po-
sition as a marine inspector; or 
‘‘(ii) in writing by the Secretary to have access 
to those files. 
‘‘(4) For purposes of this subsection— 
‘‘(A) the term ‘offshore facility’ means any installa-
tion, structure, or other device (including any vessel not 
documented under chapter 121 of this title or the laws 
of another country), fixed or floating, that dynamically
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holds position or is temporarily or permanently attached 
to the seabed or subsoil under the sea; and 
‘‘(B) the term ‘United States offshore facility’ 
means any offshore facility, fixed or floating, that dy-
namically holds position or is temporarily or permanently 
attached to the seabed or subsoil under the territorial 
sea of the United States or the outer Continental Shelf 
(as that term is defined in section 2 of the Outer Conti-
nental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331)), including any 
vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or structure subject 
to regulation under section 30 of the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356).’’. 
(b) REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CLASSIFICATION SOCI-
ETY REQUIRED.—Section 3316(c) of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by striking so much as precedes paragraph 
(2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c)(1) A classification society (including an employee or 
agent of that society) may not review, examine, survey, or 
certify the construction, repair, or alteration of a vessel in the 
United States unless the society has applied for approval 
under this subsection and the Secretary has reviewed and ap-
proved that society with respect to the conduct of that society 
under paragraph (2).’’.
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TITLE VII—OIL POLLUTION 
PREVENTION 
SEC. 701. RULEMAKINGS. 
(a) STATUS REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall 
provide a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Rep-
resentatives Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure on the status of all Coast Guard rulemakings 
required or otherwise being developed (but for which no 
final rule has been issued as of the date of enactment 
of this Act) under section 311 of the Federal Water Pol-
lution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321). 
(2) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
include in the report required in paragraph (1)— 
(A) a detailed explanation with respect to each 
such rulemaking as to— 
(i) what steps have been completed; 
(ii) what areas remain to be addressed; 
and 
(iii) the cause of any delays; and 
(B) the date by which a final rule may reason-
ably be expected to be issued.
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(b) FINAL RULES.—The Secretary shall issue a final 
rule in each pending rulemaking described in subsection (a) 
as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) TOWING VESSELS.—No later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a no-
tice of proposed rulemaking regarding inspection require-
ments for towing vessels required under section 3306(j) of 
title 46, United States Code. The Secretary shall issue a final 
rule pursuant to that rulemaking no later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 702. OIL TRANSFERS FROM VESSELS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.—Within 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regula-
tions to reduce the risks of oil spills in operations involving 
the transfer of oil from or to a tank vessel. The regulations— 
(1) shall focus on operations that have the highest 
risks of discharge, including operations at night and in 
inclement weather; 
(2) shall consider— 
(A) requirements for the use of equipment, 
such as putting booms in place for transfers, safety, 
and environmental impacts;
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(B) operational procedures such as manning 
standards, communications protocols, and restric-
tions on operations in high-risk areas; or 
(C) both such requirements and operational 
procedures; and 
(3) shall take into account the safety of personnel 
and effectiveness of available procedures and equipment 
for preventing or mitigating transfer spills. 
(b) APPLICATION WITH STATE LAWS.—The regulations 
promulgated under subsection (a) do not preclude the en-
forcement of any State law or regulation the requirements of 
which are at least as stringent as requirements under the 
regulations (as determined by the Secretary) that— 
(1) applies in State waters; and 
(2) does not conflict with, or interfere with the en-
forcement of, requirements and operational procedures 
under the regulations. 
SEC. 703. IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE HUMAN ERROR AND 
NEAR MISS INCIDENTS. 
(a) REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit a report to the Sen-
ate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture that, using available data—