declaration of a major disaster or emergency by the Presi-
dent under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) shall 
be treated, for the purpose of section 701(f)(2) of title 10, 
a duty assignment in support of a contingency operation.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 425 the following new item: 
‘‘426. Emergency leave retention authority.’’. 
SEC. 208. ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 99. Enforcement authority 
‘‘Subject to guidelines approved by the Secretary, 
members of the Coast Guard, in the performance of official 
duties, may— 
‘‘(1) carry a firearm; and 
‘‘(2) while at a facility (as defined in section 
70101 of title 46)— 
‘‘(A) make an arrest without warrant for 
any offense against the United States; and 
‘‘(B) seize property as otherwise provided 
by law.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—The first section added to 
title 46, United States Code, by the amendment made by 
subsection (a) of section 801 of the Coast Guard and Mari-
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time Transportation Act of 2004 (118 Stat. 1078), and the 
item relating to such first section enacted by the amendment 
made by subsection (b) of such section 801, are repealed. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘99. Enforcement authority.’’. 
SEC. 209. REPEAL. 
Section 216 of title 14, United States Code, and the 
item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 11 
of such title, are repealed. 
SEC. 210. ADMIRALS AND VICE ADMIRALS. 
(a) VICE COMMANDANT.—Section 47 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘vice admiral’’ 
and inserting ‘‘admiral’’. 
(b) VICE ADMIRALS.—Section 50 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 50. Vice admirals 
‘‘(a)(1) The President may designate 4 positions of im-
portance and responsibility that shall be held by officers 
who— 
‘‘(A) while so serving, shall have the grade of vice 
admiral, with the pay and allowances of that grade; 
and 
‘‘(B) shall perform any duties as the Com-
mandant may prescribe. 
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‘‘(2) The 4 vice admiral positions authorized under 
paragraph (1) are, respectively, the following: 
‘‘(A) The Deputy Commandant for Mission Sup-
port. 
‘‘(B) The Deputy Commandant for National Op-
erations and Policy. 
‘‘(C) The Commander, Force Readiness Com-
mand. 
‘‘(D) The Commander, Operations Command. 
‘‘(3) The President may appoint, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, and reappoint, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to each of the positions 
designated under paragraph (1) an officer of the Coast 
Guard who is serving on active duty above the grade of cap-
tain. The Commandant shall make recommendations for 
those appointments. 
‘‘(b)(1) The appointment and the grade of vice admiral 
under this section shall be effective on the date the officer 
assumes that duty and, except as provided in paragraph 
(2) of this subsection or in section 51(d) of this title, shall 
terminate on the date the officer is detached from that duty. 
‘‘(2) An officer who is appointed to a position des-
ignated under subsection (a) shall continue to hold the 
grade of vice admiral— 
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‘‘(A) while under orders transferring the officer 
to another position designated under subsection (a), 
beginning on the date the officer is detached from 
duty and terminating on the date before the day the 
officer assumes the subsequent duty, but not for more 
than 60 days; 
‘‘(B) while hospitalized, beginning on the day of 
the hospitalization and ending on the day the officer 
is discharged from the hospital, but not for more than 
180 days; and 
‘‘(C) while awaiting retirement, beginning on the 
date the officer is detached from duty and ending on 
the day before the officer’s retirement, but not for 
more than 60 days. 
‘‘(c)(1) An appointment of an officer under subsection 
(a) does not vacate the permanent grade held by the officer. 
‘‘(2) An officer serving in a grade above rear admiral 
who holds the permanent grade of rear admiral (lower half) 
shall be considered for promotion to the permanent grade 
of rear admiral as if the officer was serving in the officer’s 
permanent grade. 
‘‘(d) Whenever a vacancy occurs in a position des-
ignated under subsection (a), the Commandant shall inform 
the President of the qualifications needed by an officer serv-
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ing in that position to carry out effectively the duties and 
responsibilities of that position.’’. 
(c) REPEAL.—Section 50a of title 14, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 51(d)(2) of 
that title is amended by striking ‘‘Area Commander, or 
Chief of Staff’’ and inserting ‘‘or Vice Admirals’’. 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) The heading for section 47 of that title is 
amended by striking ‘‘assignment’’ and inserting 
‘‘appointment’’. 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 3 of that title is amended— 
(A) by striking the item relating to section 
47 and inserting the following: 
‘‘47. Vice Commandant; appointment.’’; 
(B) by striking the item relating to section 
50 and inserting the following: 
‘‘50. Vice admirals.’’; 
and 
(C) by striking the item relating to section 
50a. 
(f) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 47 of that title 
is further amended in the fifth sentence by striking ‘‘sub-
section’’ and inserting ‘‘section’’. 
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SEC. 211. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 71 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 7115. Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Com-
mittee 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a Mer-
chant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (in this 
section referred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Committee shall advise 
the Secretary on matters relating to— 
‘‘(A) medical certification determinations 
for issuance of merchant mariner credentials; 
‘‘(B) medical standards and guidelines for 
the physical qualifications of operators of com-
mercial vessels; 
‘‘(C) medical examiner education; and 
‘‘(D) medical research. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist 
of twelve members, none of whom is a Federal em-
ployee, and shall include— 
‘‘(A) ten who are health-care professionals 
with particular expertise, knowledge, or experi-
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ence regarding the medical examinations of mer-
chant mariners or occupational medicine; and 
‘‘(B) two who are professional mariners 
with knowledge and experience in mariner occu-
pational requirements. 
‘‘(2) STATUS
OF
MEMBERS.—Members of the 
Committee shall not be considered Federal employees 
or otherwise in the service or the employment of the 
Federal Government, except that members shall be 
considered special Government employees, as defined 
in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code, and 
shall be subject to any administrative standards of 
conduct applicable to the employees of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating. 
‘‘(c) APPOINTMENTS; TERMS; VACANCIES.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENTS.—The Secretary shall ap-
point the members of the Committee, and each mem-
ber shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed 
for a term of three years, except that, of the members 
first appointed, three members shall be appointed for 
a term of two years and three members shall be ap-
pointed for a term of one year. 
‘‘(3) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill 
the vacancy prior to the expiration of the term for 
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which that member’s predecessor was appointed shall 
be appointed for the remainder of that term. 
‘‘(d) CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN.—The Secretary 
shall designate one member of the Committee as the Chair-
man and one member as the Vice Chairman. The Vice 
Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or inca-
pacity of, or in the event of a vacancy in the office of, the 
Chairman. 
‘‘(e) COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT.—Members of 
the Committee shall serve without compensation, except 
that, while engaged in the performance of duties away from 
their homes or regular places of business of the member, the 
member of the Committee may be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
section 5703 of title 5. 
‘‘(f) STAFF; SERVICES.—The Secretary shall furnish to 
the Committee the personnel and services as are considered 
necessary for the conduct of its business.’’. 
(b) FIRST MEETING.—No later than six months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Merchant Mariner 
Medical Advisory Committee established by the amendment 
made by this section shall hold its first meeting. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
71 of that title is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘7115. Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee.’’. 
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SEC. 212. RESERVE COMMISSIONED WARRANT OFFICER TO 
LIEUTENANT PROGRAM. 
Section 214(a) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) The president may appoint temporary commis-
sioned officers— 
‘‘(1) in the Regular Coast Guard in a grade, not 
above lieutenant, appropriate to their qualifications, 
experience, and length of service, as the needs of the 
Coast Guard may require, from among the commis-
sioned warrant officers, warrant officers, and enlisted 
members of the Coast Guard, and from holders of li-
censes issued under chapter 71 of title 46; and 
‘‘(2) in the Coast Guard Reserve in a grade, not 
above lieutenant, appropriate to their qualifications, 
experience, and length of service, as the needs of the 
Coast Guard may require, from among the commis-
sioned warrant officers of the Coast Guard Reserve.’’. 
SEC. 213. ENHANCED STATUS QUO OFFICER PROMOTION 
SYSTEM. 
Chapter 11 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in section 253(a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘considered,’’; 
and 
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(B) by striking ‘‘, and the number of offi-
cers the board may recommend for promotion’’; 
(2) in section 258— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ be-
fore the existing text; 
(B) in subsection (a) (as so designated) by 
striking the colon at the end of the material pre-
ceding paragraph (1) and inserting ‘‘—’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) PROVISION OF DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(1) In addition to the information provided 
pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary may furnish 
the selection board— 
‘‘(A) specific direction relating to the needs 
of the Coast Guard for officers having particular 
skills, including direction relating to the need for 
a minimum number of officers with particular 
skills within a specialty; and 
‘‘(B) any other guidance that the Secretary 
believes may be necessary to enable the board to 
properly perform its functions. 
‘‘(2) Selections made based on the direction and 
guidance provided under this subsection shall not ex-
ceed the maximum percentage of officers who may be 
selected from below the announced promotion zone at 
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any given selection board convened under section 251 
of this title.’’; 
(3) in section 259(a), by inserting after ‘‘whom 
the board’’ the following: ‘‘, giving due consideration 
to the needs of the Coast Guard for officers with par-
ticular skills so noted in specific direction furnished 
to the board by the Secretary under section 258 of 
this title,’’; and 
(4) in section 260(b), by inserting after ‘‘quali-
fied for promotion’’ the following: ‘‘to meet the needs 
of the service (as noted in specific direction furnished 
the board by the Secretary under section 258 of this 
title)’’. 
SEC. 214. LASER TRAINING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard shall test an integrated laser engage-
ment system for the training of members of the Coast Guard 
assigned to small vessels in the use of individual weapons 
and machine guns on those vessels. The test shall be con-
ducted on vessels on the Great Lakes using similar laser 
equipment used by other Federal agencies. However, that 
equipment shall be adapted for use in the marine environ-
ment. 
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(b) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit a report to 
Congress within 6 months after the conclusions of the test 
required under subsection (a) on the costs and benefits of 
using the system regionally and nationwide to train mem-
bers of the Coast Guard in the use of individual weapons 
and machine guns. 
SEC. 215. COAST GUARD VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO FIRE AT OR INTO A VESSEL.— 
Section 637(c) of title 14, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and in-
serting a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) any other vessel or aircraft owned by a gov-
ernment and used for noncommercial service when— 
‘‘(A) the vessel or aircraft is under the tac-
tical control of the Coast Guard; and 
‘‘(B) at least one member of the Coast 
Guard is assigned and conducting a Coast 
Guard mission on the vessel or aircraft.’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO DISPLAY COAST GUARD ENSIGNS 
AND PENNANTS.—Section 638(a) of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Coast Guard vessels and air-
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craft’’ and inserting ‘‘Vessels and aircraft authorized by the 
Secretary’’. 
SEC. 216. COAST GUARD DISTRICT OMBUDSMEN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 55. District Ombudsmen 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall appoint 
in each Coast Guard District a District Ombudsman to 
serve as a liaison between ports, terminal operators, ship-
owners, and labor representatives and the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the District Ombuds-
man shall be the following: 
‘‘(1) To support the operations of the Coast 
Guard in each port in the District for which the Dis-
trict Ombudsman is appointed. 
‘‘(2) To seek to resolve disputes between the Coast 
Guard and all petitioners regarding requirements im-
posed or services provided by the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) INVESTIGATIONS.—The District Ombuds-
man may investigate complaints brought to the atten-
tion of the District Ombudsman by a petitioner oper-
ating in a port or by Coast Guard personnel. 
‘‘(2) GUIDELINES FOR DISPUTES.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The District Ombuds-
man shall develop guidelines regarding the types 
of disputes with respect to which the District 
Ombudsman will provide assistance. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The District Ombuds-
man shall not provide assistance with respect to 
a dispute unless it involves the impact of Coast 
Guard requirements on port business and the 
flow of commerce. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITY.—In providing such assist-
ance, the District Ombudsman shall give priority 
to complaints brought by petitioners who believe 
they will suffer a significant hardship as the re-
sult of implementing a Coast Guard requirement 
or being denied a Coast Guard service. 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The District Ombudsman 
may consult with any Coast Guard personnel who 
can aid in the investigation of a complaint. 
‘‘(4) ACCESS
TO
INFORMATION.—The District 
Ombudsman shall have access to any document, in-
cluding any record or report, that will aid the Dis-
trict Ombudsman in obtaining the information need-
ed to conduct an investigation of a compliant. 
‘‘(5) REPORTS.—At the conclusion of an inves-
tigation, the District Ombudsman shall submit a re-
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port on the findings and recommendations of the Dis-
trict Ombudsman, to the Commander of the District 
in which the petitioner who brought the complaint is 
operating. 
‘‘(6) DEADLINE.—The District Ombudsman shall 
seek to resolve each complaint brought in accordance 
with the guidelines— 
‘‘(A) in a timely fashion; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 4 months after the com-
plaint is officially accepted by the District Om-
budsman. 
‘‘(d) APPOINTMENT.—The Commandant shall appoint 
as the District Ombudsman a civilian who has experience 
in port and transportation systems and knowledge of port 
operations or of maritime commerce (or both). 
‘‘(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall report 
annually to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
on the matters brought before the District Ombudsmen, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(1) the number of matters brought before each 
District Ombudsman; 
‘‘(2) a brief summary of each such matter; and 
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‘‘(3) the eventual resolution of each such mat-
ter.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of that chapter is amended by adding at the end 
the following new item: 
‘‘55. District Ombudsmen.’’. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
SEC. 301. VESSEL SIZE LIMITS. 
(a) LENGTH, TONNAGE, AND HORSEPOWER.—Section 
12113(d)(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the 
end of subparagraph (A)(i); 
(2) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (A)(ii); 
(3) by striking subparagraph (A)(iii); 
(4) by striking the period at the end of subpara-
graph (B) and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(5) by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) the vessel is either a rebuilt vessel or 
a replacement vessel under section 208(g) of the 
American Fisheries Act (title II of division C of 
Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681–627) and 
is eligible for a fishery endorsement under this 
section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
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(1) VESSEL REBUILDING AND REPLACEMENT.— 
Section 208(g) of the American Fisheries Act (title II 
of division C of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681– 
627) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) VESSEL REBUILDING AND REPLACEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) REBUILD
OR
REPLACE.—Notwith-
standing any limitation to the contrary on re-
placing, rebuilding, or lengthening vessels or 
transferring permits or licenses to a replacement 
vessel contained in sections 679.2 and 679.4 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect 
on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2007 and except as provided 
in paragraph (4), the owner of a vessel eligible 
under subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) (other 
than paragraph (21)), in order to improve vessel 
safety and operational efficiencies (including fuel 
efficiency), may rebuild or replace that vessel 
(including fuel efficiency) with a vessel docu-
mented with a fishery endorsement under section 
12113 of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) SAME REQUIREMENTS.—The rebuilt or 
replacement vessel shall be eligible in the same 
manner and subject to the same restrictions and 
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limitations under such subsection as the vessel 
being rebuilt or replaced. 
‘‘(C) TRANSFER
OF
PERMITS
AND
LI-
CENSES.—Each fishing permit and license held 
by the owner of a vessel or vessels to be rebuilt 
or replaced under subparagraph (A) shall be 
transferred to the rebuilt or replacement vessel. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS
OF
NORTH
PACIFIC 
COUNCIL.—The North Pacific Council may rec-
ommend for approval by the Secretary such conserva-
tion and management measures, including size limits 
and measures to control fishing capacity, in accord-
ance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act as it considers 
necessary to ensure that this subsection does not di-
minish the effectiveness of fishery management plans 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
Area or the Gulf of Alaska. 
‘‘(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR REPLACEMENT OF CER-
TAIN VESSELS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the re-
quirements of subsections (b)(2), (c)(1), and 
(c)(2) of section 12113 of title 46, United States 
Code, a vessel that is eligible under subsection 
(a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) (other than paragraph 
(21)) and that qualifies to be documented with 
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a fishery endorsement pursuant to section 203(g) 
or 213(g) may be replaced with a replacement 
vessel under paragraph (1) if the vessel that is 
replaced is validly documented with a fishery en-
dorsement pursuant to section 203(g) or 213(g) 
before the replacement vessel is documented with 
a fishery endorsement under section 12113 of 
title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY.—A replacement vessel 
under subparagraph (A) and its owner and 
mortgagee are subject to the same limitations 
under section 203(g) or 213(g) that are applica-
ble to the vessel that has been replaced and its 
owner and mortgagee. 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL
RULES
FOR
CERTAIN
CATCHER 
VESSELS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A replacement for a 
covered vessel described in subparagraph (B) is 
prohibited from harvesting fish in any fishery 
(except for the Pacific whiting fishery) managed 
under the authority of any regional fishery man-
agement council (other than the North Pacific 
Council) established under section 302(a) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
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‘‘(B) COVERED VESSELS.—A covered vessel 
referred to in subparagraph (A) is— 
‘‘(i) a vessel eligible under subsection 
(a), (b), or (c) that is replaced under para-
graph (1); or 
‘‘(ii) a vessel eligible under subsection 
(a), (b), or (c) that is rebuilt to increase its 
registered length, gross tonnage, or shaft 
horsepower. 
‘‘(5) LIMITATION ON FISHERY ENDORSEMENTS.— 
Any vessel that is replaced under this subsection shall 
thereafter not be eligible for a fishery endorsement 
under section 12113 of title 46, United States Code, 
unless that vessel is also a replacement vessel de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(6) GULF
OF
ALASKA
LIMITATION.—Notwith-
standing paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prohibit 
from participation in the groundfish fisheries of the 
Gulf of Alaska any vessel that is rebuilt or replaced 
under this subsection and that exceeds the maximum 
length overall specified on the license that authorizes 
fishing for groundfish pursuant to the license limita-
tion program under part 679 of title 50, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment 
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007. 
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‘‘(7) AUTHORITY OF PACIFIC COUNCIL.—Nothing 
in this section shall be construed to diminish or other-
wise affect the authority of the Pacific Council to rec-
ommend to the Secretary conservation and manage-
ment measures to protect fisheries under its jurisdic-
tion (including the Pacific whiting fishery) and par-
ticipants in such fisheries from adverse impacts 
caused by this Act.’’. 
(2) EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN VESSELS.—Section 
203(g) of the American Fisheries Act (title II of divi-
sion C of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681–620) 
is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘(United 
States official number 651041)’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘, NORTHERN TRAV-
ELER (United States official number 635986), 
and NORTHERN VOYAGER (United States of-
ficial number 637398) (or a replacement vessel 
for the NORTHERN VOYAGER that complies 
with paragraphs (2), (5), and (6) of section 
208(g) of this Act)’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘, in the case of the 
NORTHERN’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘PHOENIX,’’. 
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(3) FISHERY COOPERATIVE EXIT PROVISIONS.— 
Section 210(b) of the American Fisheries Act (title II 
of division C of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681– 
629) is amended— 
(A) by moving the matter beginning with 
‘‘the Secretary shall’’ in paragraph (1) 2 ems to 
the right; 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) FISHERY COOPERATIVE EXIT PROVISIONS.— 
‘‘(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 re-
moved from the directed pollock fishery, the fish-
ery allowance for pollock for the vessel being re-
moved— 
‘‘(i) shall be based on the catch history 
determination for the vessel made pursuant 
to section 679.62 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as in effect on the date of en-
actment of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 2007; and 
‘‘(ii) shall be assigned, for all purposes 
under this title, in the manner specified by 
the owner of the vessel being removed to any 
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other catcher vessel or among other catcher 
vessels participating in the fishery coopera-
tive if such vessel or vessels remain in the 
fishery cooperative for at least one year 
after the date on which the vessel being re-
moved 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 vessel 
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 replace 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 
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States 
official 
number 
678234), 
and 
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 section 
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 referred 
to in clause (i) in any manner that is not 
consistent with the fishery management 
plan for the fishery developed by the Coun-
cils under section 303 of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Act.’’. 
SEC. 302. GOODS AND SERVICES. 
Section 4(b) of the Act of July 5, 1884, commonly 
known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 
1884 (33 U.S.C. 5(b)), is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of paragraph 
(2)(C); 
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(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (3) and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) sales taxes on goods and services provided 
to or by vessels or watercraft (other than vessels or 
watercraft primarily engaged in foreign commerce).’’. 
SEC. 303. SEAWARD EXTENSION OF ANCHORAGE GROUNDS 
JURISDICTION. 
Section 7 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations 
Act of 1915 (33 U.S.C. 471) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘That the’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The’’. 
(2) in subsection (a) (as designated by para-
graph (1)) by striking ‘‘$100; and the’’ and inserting 
‘‘up to $10,000. Each day during which a violation 
continues shall constitute a separate violation. The’’; 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) DEFINITION.—As used in this section ‘navigable 
waters of the United States’ includes all waters of the terri-
torial sea of the United States as described in Presidential 
Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988.’’. 
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SEC. 304. MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT AMEND-
MENT-SIMPLE POSSESSION. 
Section 70506 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) SIMPLE POSSESSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any individual on a vessel 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who is 
found by the Secretary, after notice and an oppor-
tunity for a hearing, to have knowingly or inten-
tionally possessed a controlled substance within the 
meaning of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 
812) shall be liable to the United States for a civil 
penalty of not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. 
The Secretary shall notify the individual in writing 
of the amount of the civil penalty. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION
OF
AMOUNT.—In deter-
mining the amount of the penalty, the Secretary shall 
consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and grav-
ity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect 
to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history 
of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other matters 
that justice requires. 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT
OF
CIVIL
PENALTY
ASSESS-
MENT.—Assessment of a civil penalty under this sub-
section shall not be considered a conviction for pur-
poses of State or Federal law but may be considered 
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proof of possession if such a determination is rel-
evant.’’. 
SEC. 305. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO TONNAGE MEAS-
UREMENT LAW. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 14101(4) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘engaged’’ the first place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘that engages’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘arriving’’ 
and inserting ‘‘that arrives’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘making’’ and inserting 
‘‘that makes’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘(except a foreign vessel en-
gaged on that voyage)’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘depart-
ing’’ and inserting ‘‘that departs’’; and 
(5) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘making’’ 
and inserting ‘‘that makes’’. 
(b) DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 14103(c) of 
that title is amended by striking ‘‘intended to be engaged 
on’’ and inserting ‘‘that engages on’’. 
(c) APPLICATION.—Section 14301 of that title is 
amended— 
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(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this 
chapter applies to any vessel for which the application of 
an international agreement or other law of the United 
States to the vessel depends on the vessel’s tonnage.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘, unless the govern-
ment of the country to which the vessel belongs 
elects to measure the vessel under this chapter.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘of 
United States or Canadian registry or nation-
ality, or a vessel operated under the authority of 
the United States or Canada, and that is’’ after 
‘‘vessel’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘a vessel 
(except a vessel engaged’’ and inserting ‘‘a vessel 
of United States registry or nationality, or one 
operated under the authority of the United 
States (except a vessel that engages’’; 
(D) by striking paragraph (5); 
(E) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (5); and 
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(F) by amending paragraph (5), as so re-
designated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) a barge of United States registry or nation-
ality, or a barge operated under the authority of the 
United States (except a barge that engages on a for-
eign voyage) unless the owner requests.’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (c); 
(4) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and 
(5) in subsection (c), as redesignated, by striking 
‘‘After July 18, 1994, an existing vessel (except an ex-
isting vessel referred to in subsection (b)(5)(A) or (B) 
of this section)’’ and inserting ‘‘An existing vessel that 
has not undergone a change that the Secretary finds 
substantially affects the vessel’s gross tonnage (or a 
vessel to which IMO Resolutions A.494 (XII) of No-
vember 19, 1981, A.540 (XIII) of November 17, 1983, 
or A.541 (XIII) of November 17, 1983 apply)’’. 
(d) MEASUREMENT.—Section 14302(b) of that title is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) A vessel measured under this chapter may not be 
required to be measured under another law.’’. 
(e) TONNAGE CERTIFICATE.— 
(1) ISSUANCE.—Section 14303 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end 
the following: ‘‘For a vessel to which the Conven-
tion does not apply, the Secretary shall prescribe 
a certificate to be issued as evidence of a vessel’s 
measurement under this chapter.’’; 
(B) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘issued 
under this section’’ after ‘‘certificate’’; and 
(C) in the section heading by striking 
‘‘International’’ and ‘‘(1969)’’. 
(2) MAINTENANCE.—Section 14503 of that title 
is amended— 
(A) by designating the existing text as sub-
section (a); and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(b) The certificate shall be maintained as required by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the 
beginning of chapter 143 of that title is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 14303 and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘14303. Tonnage Certificate.’’. 
(f) OPTIONAL REGULATORY MEASUREMENT.—Section 
14305(a) of that title is amended by striking ‘‘documented 
vessel measured under this chapter,’’ and inserting ‘‘vessel 
measured under this chapter that is of United States reg-
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istry or nationality, or a vessel operated under the author-
ity of the United States,’’. 
(g) APPLICATION.—Section 14501 of that title is 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) A vessel not measured under chapter 143 of 
this title if the application of an international agree-
ment or other law of the United States to the vessel 
depends on the vessel’s tonnage.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘a vessel’’ and 
inserting ‘‘A vessel’’. 
(h) 
DUAL
TONNAGE
MEASUREMENT.—Section 
14513(c) of that title is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘vessel’s tonnage mark is 
below the uppermost part of the load line 
marks,’’ and inserting ‘‘vessel is assigned two 
sets of gross and net tonnages under this sec-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘vessel’s tonnage’’ before 
‘‘mark’’ the second place such term appears; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘as assigned under this sec-
tion.’’. 
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(i) RECIPROCITY
FOR
FOREIGN
VESSELS.—Sub-
chapter II of chapter 145 of that title is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 14514. Reciprocity for foreign vessels 
‘‘For a foreign vessel not measured under chapter 143, 
if the Secretary finds that the laws and regulations of a 
foreign country related to measurement of vessels are sub-
stantially similar to those of this chapter and the regula-
tions prescribed under this chapter, the Secretary may ac-
cept the measurement and certificate of a vessel of that for-
eign country as complying with this chapter and the regula-
tions prescribed under this chapter.’’. 
(j) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for sub-
chapter II of chapter 145 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘14514. Reciprocity for foreign vessels.’’. 
SEC. 306. SEAMEN’S SHORESIDE ACCESS. 
Each facility security plan approved under section 
70103(c) of title 46, United States Code, shall provide a 
system for seamen assigned to a vessel at that facility, pi-
lots, and representatives of seamen’s welfare and labor orga-
nizations to board and depart the vessel through the facility 
in a timely manner at no cost to the individual. 
SEC. 307. FISHING VESSEL SAFETY. 
(a) SAFETY STANDARDS.—Section 4502 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a), by— 
(A) striking paragraphs (6) and (7) and in-
serting 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 injury 
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’’; 
(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 im-
mersed in water’’; 
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(D) in paragraph (2)(D), by inserting ‘‘ma-
rine’’ 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 follows: 
‘‘(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 described 
in subsection (b) at least twice every 5 years, and 
shall issue a certificate of compliance to a vessel meet-
ing the requirements of this chapter.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(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 paragraph 
(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, emergency medical 
care, and weather; 
‘‘(B) require an individual to demonstrate abil-
ity to communicate in an emergency situation and 
understand information found in navigation publica-
tions; 
‘‘(C) recognize and give credit for recent past ex-
perience 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 
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5 years as a condition of maintaining the validity of the 
certificate. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall establish a publicly accessible 
electronic database listing the names of individuals who 
have participated in and received a certificate confirming 
successful completion of a training program approved by 
the Secretary under this section. 
‘‘(h) A vessel to which this chapter applies shall be con-
structed in a manner that provides a level of safety equiva-
lent 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; 
‘‘(2) the vessel is less than 50 feet overall in 
length; and 
‘‘(3) the vessel is built after January 1, 2008. 
‘‘(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 
that meets the requirements of subsection (g); and 
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‘‘(B) for purchase of safety equipment and train-
ing aids for use in those fishing vessel safety training 
programs. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this sub-
section on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity car-
ried 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 2008 through 2012 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 busi-
nesses 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 commercial fish-
ing industry, including vessel design, emergency and sur-
vival equipment, enhancement of vessel monitoring systems, 
communications devices, de-icing technology, and severe 
weather detection. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this sub-
section on a competitive basis. 
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‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity car-
ried out with a grant under this subsection shall not exceed 
75 percent.’’. 
(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) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of section 
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 OVER 79 FEET.—Sec-
tion 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 
January 1, 2008’’. 
(e) CLASSING OF VESSELS.— 
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(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 proc-
essing’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) This section applies to a vessel to which section 
4502(b) of this title applies that— 
‘‘(1) is at least 50 feet overall in length; 
‘‘(2) is built after January 1, 2008; or 
‘‘(3) undergoes a major conversion completed 
after that date. 
‘‘(d) After January 1, 2018, this section applies to a 
fishing vessel or fish tender vessel that is built before Janu-
ary 1, 2008, and is 25 years of age or older, unless the 
vessel complies with an alternate safety compliance pro-
gram prescribed by the Secretary.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of section 
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.’’. 
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(f) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.— 
No later than January 1, 2015, the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall prescribe 
an alternative safety compliance program referred to in sec-
tion 4503(d) of the title 46, United States Code, as amended 
by this section. 
SEC. 308. MARINER RECORDS. 
Section 7502 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(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 main-
tain 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 re-
quire that a vessel owner, managing operator, or employer 
shall make these records available to the individual and the 
Coast Guard on request. 
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‘‘(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. 309. DELETION OF EXEMPTION OF LICENSE REQUIRE-
MENT FOR OPERATORS OF CERTAIN TOWING 
VESSELS. 
Section 8905 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
(b). 
SEC. 310. ADJUSTMENT OF LIABILITY LIMITS FOR NATURAL 
GAS DEEPWATER PORTS. 
Section 1004(d)(2) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
U.S.C. 2704(d)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(D) The Secretary may establish, by regu-
lation, a limit of liability of not less than 
$12,000,000 for a deepwater port used only in 
connection with transportation of natural gas.’’. 
SEC. 311. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST 
OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND. 
Section 1012(h)(1) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
U.S.C. 2712(h)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘6’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘3’’. 
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SEC. 312. LOG BOOKS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 113 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 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. 
‘‘(b) The log book required by subsection (a) shall in-
clude the following entries: 
‘‘(1) The time when each seaman and each offi-
cer assumed or relieved the watch. 
‘‘(2) The number of hours in service to the vessels 
of each seaman and each officer. 
‘‘(3) An account of each accident, illness, and in-
jury 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. 313. UNSAFE OPERATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 21 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 2116. Termination for unsafe operation 
‘‘An individual authorized to enforce this title— 
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‘‘(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 certifi-
cate; 
‘‘(2) may order the individual in charge of a ves-
sel 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 
‘‘(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 individuals 
on board the vessel if the official observes the vessel 
being operated in an unsafe condition that the official 
believes creates an especially hazardous condition, in-
cluding 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.’’. 
(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.’’. 
SEC. 314. APPROVAL OF SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 31 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
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‘‘§ 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, 2013, 
if— 
‘‘(1) it was approved by the Secretary before 
January 1, 2008; and 
‘‘(2) it is in serviceable condition.’’. 
(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. 315. SAFETY MANAGEMENT. 
(a) VESSELS TO WHICH REQUIREMENTS APPLY.—Sec-
tion 3202 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking the heading and 
inserting ‘‘FOREIGN VOYAGES
AND FOREIGN VES-
SELS.—’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(b) OTHER PASSENGER VESSELS.—This chapter ap-
plies to a vessel that is— 
‘‘(1) a passenger vessel or small passenger vessel; 
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)’’; 
(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 consider the 
characteristics, methods of operation, and nature of the 
service of these vessels.’’. 
SEC. 316. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2114 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(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: 
‘‘(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 notify, 
the vessel owner or the Secretary of a work-related 
personal injury or work-related illness of a seaman; 
‘‘(E) the seaman cooperated with a safety inves-
tigation by the Secretary or the National Transpor-
tation Safety Board; 
‘‘(F) the seaman furnished information to the 
Secretary, the National Transportation Safety Board, 
or any other public official as to the facts relating to 
any marine casualty resulting in injury or death to 
an individual or damage to property occurring 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: 
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‘‘(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 complaint may 
be filed under subsection (b) of section 31105 of title 49. 
Such complaint shall be subject to the procedures, require-
ments, 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. 317. DRY BULK CARGO RESIDUE. 
Section 623(a)(2) of the Coast Guard and Maritime 
Transportation Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 1901 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2008’’ and inserting ‘‘2009’’. 
SEC. 318. CLARIFICATION OF DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY 
TO CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES. 
Section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘or for a 
floating installation’’ after ‘‘chapter 121 of this title’’; 
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(2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘or for 
floating installations’’ after ‘‘vessels documented in 
that country’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)(3)(A), by inserting ‘‘or 
floating installation’’ after ‘‘after the vessel’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) For purposes of this section, the term ‘floating in-
stallation’ means any installation, structure, or other device 
that floats and that either dynamically 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 Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1331)), and is used for the purpose of exploring for, devel-
oping, producing, or storing the resources from that seabed 
or subsoil.’’. 
SEC. 319. REGISTRY ENDORSEMENT FOR LNG VESSELS. 
Section 12111 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) A vessel or facility for which a registry endorse-
ment is not issued may not engage in regassifying on navi-
gable waters unless the vessel or facility transported the gas 
from a foreign port.’’. 
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SEC. 320. OATHS. 
Sections 7105 and 7305 of title 46, United States Code, 
and the items relating to such sections in the analysis for 
chapters 71 and 73 of such title, are repealed. 
SEC. 321. 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 merchant 
mariner’s document may be issued under this chapter 
up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until 
the date that the previously issued merchant mari-
ner’s document expires.’’. 
(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 
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possession by the holder of a first-class or second-class ra-
diotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal Commu-
nications 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 previously issued 
license expires.’’. 
(c) CERTIFICATES
OF REGISTRY.—Section 7107 of 
such title is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 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 valid-
ity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor or professional 
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.’’. 
SEC. 322. 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: 
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‘‘§ 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 cer-
tificate of registry, or a merchant mariner’s document 
under chapter 71 or 73 if the individual was fingerprinted 
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. 323. 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 322(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 section 7106 and 7107, the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may 
extend for one year an expiring license or certificate of reg-
istry issued for an individual under chapter 71 if the Sec-
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retary determines that extension is required to enable the 
Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing applica-
tions for those licenses or certificates of registry. 
‘‘(b) MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENTS.—Notwith-
standing section 7302(g), the Secretary may extend for one 
year an expiring merchant mariner’s document issued for 
an individual under chapter 71 if the Secretary determines 
that extension is required to enable the Coast Guard to 
eliminate a backlog in processing applications for those doc-
uments. 
‘‘(c) MANNER OF EXTENSION.—Any extensions grant-
ed under this section may be granted to individual seamen 
or a specifically identified group of seamen. 
‘‘(d) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority for 
providing an extension under this section shall expire on 
June 30, 2009.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter, as amended by section 322(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. 324. 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 oper-
ating shall develop an interim clearance process for 
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issuance of a merchant mariner document to enable a newly 
hired seaman to begin working on an offshore supply vessel 
or towing vessel if the Secretary makes an initial deter-
mination that the seaman does not pose a safety and secu-
rity risk. 
(b) CONTENTS OF PROCESS.—The process under sub-
section (a) shall include a check against the consolidated 
and integrated terrorist watch list maintained by the Fed-
eral 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 Federal regula-
tion. 
SEC. 325. MERCHANT MARINER ASSISTANCE REPORT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
regarding a plan— 
(1) to expand the streamlined evaluation process 
program that was affiliated with the Houston Re-
gional Examination Center of the Coast Guard to all 
processing centers of the Coast Guard nationwide; 
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(2) to include 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) to provide 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 
(4) to ensure that all information collected with 
respect to applications for new or renewed licenses, 
merchant mariner documents, and certificates of reg-
istry is retained in a secure electronic format. 
SEC. 326. MERCHANT MARINER SHORTAGE REPORT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through 
the Administrator of the Maritime Administration, shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a re-
port concerning methods to address the current and future 
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shortage in the number of merchant mariners, particularly 
entry-level mariners, including an evaluation of whether an 
educational loan program providing loans for the cost of 
on-the-job training would provide an incentive for workers 
and help alleviate the shortage. 
SEC. 327. MERCHANT MARINER DOCUMENT STANDARDS. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate— 
(1) a plan to ensure that the process for an ap-
plication, by an individual who has, or has applied 
for, a transportation security card under section 
70105 of title 46, United States Code, for a merchant 
mariner document can be completed entirely by mail; 
and 
(2) a report on the feasibility of, and a timeline 
to, redesign the merchant mariner document to com-
ply with the requirements of such section, including 
a biometric identifier, and all relevant international 
conventions, including the International Labour Or-
ganization Convention Number 185 concerning the 
seafarers identity document, and include a review on 
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whether or not such redesign will eliminate the need 
for separate credentials and background screening 
and streamline the application process for mariners. 
SEC. 328. WATERSIDE SECURITY AROUND LIQUEFIED NAT-
URAL GAS TERMINALS AND LIQUEFIED NAT-
URAL GAS TANKERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall be responsible for providing waterside security 
services around liquefied natural gas terminals and around 
tankers transporting liquefied natural gas in security zones 
established by the Coast Guard. 
(b) LIMITATION ON RELIANCE ON STATE AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT.—Security arrangements approved as part of 
the facility security plan approved under section 70103 of 
title 46, United States Code, for an onshore liquefied nat-
ural gas terminal may not be based upon the provision of 
security by a State or local government unless the State 
or local government has entered into a contract, cooperative 
agreement, or other arrangement with the terminal operator 
to provide such services and the Secretary certifies that the 
waterborne patrols operated by State or local governments 
have the training, resources, personnel, equipment, and ex-
perience necessary to successfully deter all transportation 
security incidents (as that term is defined in section 70101 
of title 46, United States Code). 
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(c) ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY ZONES.—Security 
zones established by the Coast Guard around tankers trans-
porting liquefied natural gas shall be enforced by the Coast 
Guard. 
(d) CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR NEW LNG TERMI-
NALS.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating may not approve a facility security 
plan under section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, 
for a liquefied natural gas terminal the construction of 
which is begun after the date of enactment of this Act unless 
the Secretary certifies that the Coast Guard sector in which 
the terminal is located has all of the assets it needs to pro-
vide waterside security around the terminal and to provide 
security around tankers transporting liquefied natural gas 
in security zones established by the Coast Guard. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION FOR GALLANT 
LADY. 
Section 1120(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 1996 (110 Stat. 3977) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; and 
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(B) by striking subparagraph (A) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(A) the vessel GALLANT LADY (Feadship 
hull number 672, approximately 168 feet in 
length).’’; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and re-
designating paragraph (5) as paragraph (3); and 
(3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) by 
striking all after ‘‘shall expire’’ and inserting ‘‘on the 
date of the sale of the vessel by the owner.’’. 
SEC. 402. WAIVER. 
Notwithstanding section 12112 and chapter 551 of title 
46, United States Code, the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a certificate 
of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the 
OCEAN VERITAS (IMO Number 7366805). 
SEC. 403. GREAT LAKES MARITIME RESEARCH INSTITUTE. 
Section 605 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2004 (118 Stat. 1052) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall conduct a study that’’ and inserting 
‘‘The Institute shall conduct maritime transpor-
tation studies of the Great Lakes region, includ-
ing studies that’’; 
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(B) in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (E), 
(F), (H), (I), and (J) by striking ‘‘evaluates’’ 
and inserting ‘‘evaluate’’; 
(C) in subparagraphs (D) and (G) by strik-
ing ‘‘analyzes’’ and inserting ‘‘analyze’’; 
(D) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (I); 
(E) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (J) and inserting a semicolon; 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) identify ways to improve the integra-
tion of the Great Lakes marine transportation 
system into the national transportation system; 
‘‘(L) examine the potential of expanded op-
erations on the Great Lakes marine transpor-
tation system; 
‘‘(M) identify ways to include intelligent 
transportation applications into the Great Lakes 
marine transportation system; 
‘‘(N) analyze the effects and impacts of 
aging infrastructure and port corrosion on the 
Great Lakes marine transportation system; 
‘‘(O) establish and maintain a model Great 
Lakes marine transportation system database; 
and 
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