127 
‘‘(B) include provision for acceleration of 
repayment of the whole, or any part, of such 
loan, at the option of the student borrower; 
‘‘(C) provide the loan without security and 
without endorsement; 
‘‘(D) provide that the liability to repay the 
loan shall be canceled upon the death of the 
student borrower, or if the student borrower be-
comes permanently and totally disabled, as de-
termined in accordance with regulations to be 
issued by the Secretary; 
‘‘(E) contain a notice of the system of dis-
closure of information concerning default on 
such loan to credit bureau organizations; and 
‘‘(F) include provisions for deferral of re-
payment, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) RATE OF INTEREST.—A student borrower 
who receives a loan under the program on or after 
January 1, 2010, and before October 1, 2015, shall 
be obligated to repay the loan amount to the Sec-
retary, together with interest beginning in the period 
referred to in paragraph (1)(A), at a rate to be de-
termined as follows: 
‘‘(A) For a loan for which the first dis-
bursement is made on or after January 1, 
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2010, and before October 1, 2011, 5.6 percent 
on the unpaid principal balance of the loan. 
‘‘(B) For a loan for which the first dis-
bursement is made on or after October 1, 2011, 
and before October 1, 2012, 4.5 percent on the 
unpaid principal balance of the loan. 
‘‘(C) For a loan for which the first dis-
bursement is made on or after October 1, 2012, 
3.4 percent on the unpaid principal balance of 
the loan. 
‘‘(3) DISCLOSURE
REQUIRED
PRIOR
TO
DIS-
BURSEMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall at 
or prior to the time the Secretary makes a loan 
to a student borrower under the program, pro-
vide thorough and adequate loan information on 
such loan to the student borrower. The disclo-
sures required by this paragraph may be made 
as part of the written application material pro-
vided to the student borrower, as part of the 
promissory note evidencing the loan, or on a 
separate written form provided to the student 
borrower. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The disclosures shall 
include— 
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‘‘(i) the address to which communica-
tions and payments should be sent; 
‘‘(ii) the principal amount of the loan; 
‘‘(iii) the amount of any charges col-
lected at or prior to the disbursal of the 
loan and whether such charges are to be 
deducted from the proceeds of the loan or 
paid separately by the student borrower; 
‘‘(iv) the stated interest rate on the 
loan; 
‘‘(v) the yearly and cumulative max-
imum amounts that may be borrowed; 
‘‘(vi) an explanation of when repay-
ment of the loan will be required and when 
the student borrower will be obligated to 
pay interest that accrues on the loan; 
‘‘(vii) a statement as to the minimum 
and maximum repayment term that the 
Secretary may impose, and the minimum 
monthly payment required by law and a 
description of any penalty imposed as a 
consequence of default, such as liability for 
expenses reasonably incurred in attempts 
by the Secretary to collect on a loan; 
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130 
‘‘(viii) a statement of the total cumu-
lative balance, including the loan applied 
for, owed by the student borrower to the 
Secretary, and an estimate of the projected 
monthly payment, given such cumulative 
balance; 
‘‘(ix) an explanation of any special op-
tions the student borrower may have for 
loan consolidation or other refinancing of 
the loan; 
‘‘(x) a statement that the student bor-
rower has the right to prepay all or part 
of the loan, at any time, without penalty; 
‘‘(xi) a statement summarizing cir-
cumstances in which repayment of the loan 
or interest that accrues on the loan may be 
deferred, and a brief notice of the program 
for repayment of loans, on the basis of 
military service, pursuant to the Depart-
ment of Defense educational loan repay-
ment program (10 U.S.C. 16302); 
‘‘(xii) a definition of default and the 
consequences to the student borrower if 
the student borrower defaults, together 
with a statement that the disbursement of, 
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131 
and the default on, a loan under this part 
shall be reported to a credit bureau or 
credit reporting agency; 
‘‘(xiii) to the extent practicable, the 
effect of accepting the loan on the eligi-
bility of the student borrower for other 
forms of student assistance; and 
‘‘(xiv) an explanation of any cost the 
student borrower may incur in the making 
or collection of the loan. 
‘‘(C) INFORMATION
TO
BE
PROVIDED 
WITHOUT
COST.—The information provided 
under this paragraph shall be available to the 
Secretary without cost to the student borrower. 
‘‘(4) REPAYMENT AFTER DEFAULT.—The Sec-
retary may require any student borrower who has 
defaulted on a loan made under the program to— 
‘‘(A) pay all reasonable collection costs as-
sociated with such loan; and 
‘‘(B) repay the loan pursuant to an income 
contingent repayment plan. 
‘‘(5) AUTHORIZATION TO REDUCE RATES AND 
FEES.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
section, the Secretary may prescribe by regulation 
any reductions in the interest rate or origination fee 
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132 
paid by a student borrower of a loan made under the 
program as the Secretary determines appropriate to 
encourage ontime repayment of the loan. Such re-
ductions may be offered only if the Secretary deter-
mines the reductions are cost neutral and in the best 
financial interest of the United States. 
‘‘(6) COLLECTION OF REPAYMENTS.—The Sec-
retary shall collect repayments made under the pro-
gram and exercise due diligence in such collection, 
including maintenance of all necessary records to en-
sure that maximum repayments are made. Collection 
and servicing of repayments under the program shall 
be pursued to the full extent of the law, including 
wage garnishment if necessary. The Secretary of the 
Department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
shall provide the Secretary of Transportation with 
any information regarding a mariner that may aid 
in the collection of repayments under this section. 
‘‘(7) REPAYMENT SCHEDULE.—A student bor-
rower who receives a loan under the program shall 
repay the loan quarterly, bimonthly, or monthly, at 
the option of the student borrower, over a period be-
ginning 9 months from the date the student bor-
rower completes study or discontinues attendance at 
the maritime program for which the loan proceeds 
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133 
are used and ending not more than 10 years after 
the date repayment begins. Provisions for deferral of 
repayment shall be determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(8) CONTRACTS FOR SERVICING AND COLLEC-
TION OF LOANS.—The Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) enter into a contract or other ar-
rangement with State or nonprofit agencies 
and, on a competitive basis, with collection 
agencies for servicing and collection of loans 
under this section; and 
‘‘(B) conduct litigation necessary to carry 
out this section. 
‘‘(j) REVOLVING LOAN FUND.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a revolving loan fund consisting of amounts 
deposited in the fund under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS.—The Secretary shall deposit in 
the fund— 
‘‘(A) receipts from the payment of prin-
cipal and interest on loans made under the pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(B) any other monies paid to the Sec-
retary by or on behalf of individuals under the 
program. 
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134 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.—Amounts in 
the fund shall be available to the Secretary, without 
further appropriation— 
‘‘(A) to cover the administrative costs of 
the program, including the maintenance of 
records and making collections under this sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) to the extent that amounts remain 
available after paying such administrative costs, 
to make loans under the program. 
‘‘(4) MAINTENANCE
OF
RECORDS.—The Sec-
retary shall maintain accurate records of the admin-
istrative costs referred to in paragraph (3)(A). 
‘‘(k) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary, on an an-
nual basis, shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the program, including— 
‘‘(1) the total amount of loans made under the 
program in the preceding year; 
‘‘(2) the number of students receiving loans 
under the program in the preceding year; and 
‘‘(3) the total amount of loans made under pro-
gram that are in default as of the date of the report. 
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‘‘(l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2015— 
‘‘(1) $10,000,000 for making loans under the 
program; and 
‘‘(2) $1,000,000 for administrative expenses of 
the Secretary in carrying out the program. 
‘‘§ 51706. Maritime recruitment, training, and reten-
tion grant program 
‘‘(a) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of this section, and at 
least once every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of 
Transportation, acting through the Administrator of 
the Maritime Administration, shall publish in the 
Federal Register a plan that describes the dem-
onstration, research, and multistate project priorities 
of the Department of Transportation concerning 
merchant mariner recruitment, training, and reten-
tion for the 3-year period following the date of publi-
cation of the plan. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—A plan published under para-
graph (1) shall contain strategies and identify poten-
tial projects to address merchant mariner recruit-
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ment, training, and retention issues in the United 
States. 
‘‘(3) FACTORS.—In developing a plan under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into account, 
at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) the availability of existing research 
(as of the date of publication of the plan); 
‘‘(B) the need to ensure results that have 
broad applicability; 
‘‘(C) the benefits of economies of scale and 
the efficiency of potential projects; and 
‘‘(D) the likelihood that the results of po-
tential projects will be useful to policymakers 
and stakeholders in addressing merchant mar-
iner recruitment, training, and retention issues. 
‘‘(4) CONSULTATION.—In developing a plan 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult 
with representatives of the maritime industry, labor 
organizations, and other governmental entities and 
parties with an interest in the maritime industry. 
‘‘(5) TRANSMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary shall transmit copies of a plan published 
under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
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atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award 
grants to a maritime training institution to carry 
out demonstration projects that implement the prior-
ities identified in the plan prepared under subsection 
(a)(1), for the purpose of developing and imple-
menting methods to address merchant mariner re-
cruitment, training, and retention issues. 
‘‘(2) GRANT AWARDS.—Grants shall be awarded 
under this subsection on a competitive basis under 
guidelines and requirements to be established by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant for a project under this subsection, a maritime 
training institution shall submit to the Secretary a 
grant proposal that includes, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) information demonstrating the esti-
mated effectiveness of the project; and 
‘‘(B) a method for evaluating the effective-
ness of the project. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—Projects eligible for 
grants under this subsection may include— 
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‘‘(A) the establishment of maritime tech-
nology skill centers developed through local 
partnerships of industry, labor, education, com-
munity-based organizations, economic develop-
ment organizations, or Federal, State, and local 
government agencies to meet unmet skills needs 
of the maritime industry; 
‘‘(B) projects that provide training to up-
grade the skills of workers who are employed in 
the maritime industry; 
‘‘(C) projects that promote the use of dis-
tance learning, enabling students to take 
courses through the use of media technology, 
such as videos, teleconferencing, and the Inter-
net; 
‘‘(D) projects that assist in providing serv-
ices to address maritime recruitment and train-
ing of youth residing in targeted high poverty 
areas within empowerment zones and enterprise 
communities; 
‘‘(E) the establishment of partnerships 
with national and regional organizations with 
special expertise in developing, organizing, and 
administering merchant mariner recruitment 
and training services; and 
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‘‘(F) the establishment of maritime train-
ing programs that foster technical skills and 
operational productivity in communities in 
which economies are related to or dependent 
upon the maritime industry. 
‘‘(c) PROJECTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) PROJECTS.—The Secretary may award 
grants to carry out projects identified in a plan pub-
lished under subsection (a)(1) under which the 
project sponsor will— 
‘‘(A) design, develop, and test an array of 
approaches to providing recruitment, training, 
or retention services to one or more targeted 
populations; 
‘‘(B) in conjunction with employers, orga-
nized labor, other groups (such as community 
coalitions), and Federal, State, or local agen-
cies, design, develop, and test various training 
approaches in order to determine effective prac-
tices; or 
‘‘(C) assist in the development and replica-
tion of effective service delivery strategies for 
the national maritime industry as a whole. 
‘‘(2) RESEARCH
PROJECTS.—The Secretary 
may award grants to carry out research projects 
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identified in a plan published under subsection 
(a)(1) that will contribute to the solution of mari-
time industry recruitment, training, and retention 
issues in the United States. 
‘‘(3) MULTISTATE OR REGIONAL PROJECTS.— 
The Secretary may award grants to carry out 
multistate or regional projects identified in a plan 
published under subsection (a)(1) to effectively dis-
seminate best practices and models for implementing 
maritime recruitment, training, and retention serv-
ices designed to address industry-wide skill short-
ages. 
‘‘(4) GRANT AWARDS.—Grants shall be awarded 
under this subsection on a competitive basis under 
guidelines and requirements to be established by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2015— 
‘‘(1) $10,000,000 for making grants under this 
section; and 
‘‘(2) $1,000,000 for administrative expenses of 
the Secretary in carrying out this section.’’. 
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘51705. Maritime career training loan program. 
‘‘51706. Maritime recruitment, training, and retention grant program.’’. 
TITLE VII—COAST GUARD 
MODERNIZATION 
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Mod-
ernization Act of 2009’’. 
Subtitle A—Coast Guard 
Leadership 
SEC. 711. ADMIRALS AND VICE ADMIRALS. 
(a) ADMIRALS.—Section 41 of title 14, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘an admiral,’’ and inserting 
‘‘admirals;’’. 
(b) VICE COMMANDANT.—Section 47 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘ASSIGN-
MENT’’ and inserting ‘‘APPOINTMENT’’; and 
(2) in the text by striking ‘‘vice admiral’’ and 
inserting ‘‘admiral’’. 
(c) VICE ADMIRALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 50 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘§ 50. Vice admirals 
‘‘(a)(1) The President may designate 4 positions of 
importance 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. 
‘‘(2) The 4 vice admiral positions authorized under 
paragraph (1) are, respectively, the following: 
‘‘(A) The Deputy Commandant for Mission 
Support. 
‘‘(B) The Deputy Commandant for Operations 
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 posi-
tions designated under paragraph (1) an officer of the 
Coast Guard who is serving on active duty above the grade 
of captain. The Commandant shall make recommendations 
for those appointments. 
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143 
‘‘(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the 
Deputy Commandant for Operations and Policy must have 
at least 10 years experience in vessel inspection, marine 
casualty investigations, mariner licensing, or an equivalent 
technical expertise in the design and construction of com-
mercial vessels, with at least 4 years of leadership experi-
ence at a staff or unit carrying out marine safety func-
tions. 
‘‘(B) The requirements of subparagraph (A) do not 
apply to such Deputy Commandant if the subordinate offi-
cer serving in the grade of rear admiral with responsibil-
ities for marine safety, security, and stewardship possesses 
that experience. 
‘‘(b)(1) The appointment and the grade of vice admi-
ral under this section shall be effective on the date the 
officer assumes that duty and, except as provided in para-
graph (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— 
‘‘(A) while under orders transferring the officer 
to another position designated under subsection (a), 
beginning on the date the officer is detached from 
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144 
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 end-
ing on the day before the officer’s retirement, but 
not for more than 60 days. 
‘‘(c)(1) An appointment of an officer under sub-
section (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 in-
form the President of the qualifications needed by an offi-
cer serving in that position to carry out effectively the du-
ties and responsibilities of that position.’’. 
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(2) APPLICATION
OF
DEPUTY
COMMANDANT 
QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENT.—The requirement 
under section 50(a)(4)(A) of title 14, United States 
Code, as amended by this subsection, shall apply on 
and after October 1, 2011. 
(d) REPEAL.—Section 50a of title 14, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 51 of that 
title is amended— 
(1) by amending subsections (a), (b), and (c) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(a) An officer, other than the Commandant, who, 
while serving in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, is 
retired for physical disability shall be placed on the retired 
list with the highest grade in which that officer served. 
‘‘(b) An officer, other than the Commandant, who is 
retired while serving in the grade of admiral or vice admi-
ral, or who, after serving at least two and one-half years 
in the grade of admiral or vice admiral, is retired while 
serving in a lower grade, may in the discretion of the 
President, be retired with the highest grade in which that 
officer served. 
‘‘(c) An officer, other than the Commandant, who, 
after serving less than two and one-half years in the grade 
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146 
of admiral or vice admiral, is retired while serving in a 
lower grade, shall be retired in his permanent grade.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(2) by striking ‘‘Area Com-
mander, or Chief of Staff’’ and inserting ‘‘or Vice 
Admirals’’. 
(f) CONTINUITY OF GRADE.—Section 52 of title 14, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘and 
admirals’’ after ‘‘Vice admirals’’; and 
(2) in the text by inserting ‘‘or admiral’’ after 
‘‘vice admiral’’ the first time that term appears. 
(g) CONTINUATION ON ACTIVE DUTY.—The second 
sentence of section 290(a) of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: ‘‘Officers, other than the 
Commandant, serving for the time being or who have 
served in the grade of vice admiral or admiral are not sub-
ject to consideration for continuation under this sub-
section, and as to all other provisions of this section shall 
be considered as having been continued in the grade of 
rear admiral.’’. 
(h) TREATMENT OF INCUMBENTS; TRANSITION.— 
(1) VICE COMMANDANT.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the officer who, on the date 
of enactment of this Act, is serving in the Coast 
Guard as Vice Commandant— 
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147 
(A) shall continue to serve as Vice Com-
mandant; 
(B) shall have the grade of admiral with 
pay and allowances of that grade; and 
(C) shall not be required to be reappointed 
by reason of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) CHIEF OF STAFF, COMMANDER, ATLANTIC 
AREA, OR
COMMANDER, PACIFIC
AREA.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, an officer who, 
on the date of enactment of this Act, is serving in 
the Coast Guard as Chief of Staff, Commander, At-
lantic Area, or Commander, Pacific Area— 
(A) shall continue to have the grade of vice 
admiral with pay and allowance of that grade 
until such time that the officer is relieved of his 
or her duties and appointed and confirmed to 
another position as a vice admiral or admiral; 
and 
(B) for the purposes of transition, may 
continue, for not more than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, to perform the 
duties of the officer’s former position and any 
other such duties that the Commandant pre-
scribes. 
(i) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
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(1) The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(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.’’; 
(C) by striking the item relating to section 
50a; and 
(D) by striking the item relating to section 
52 and inserting the following: 
‘‘52. Vice admirals and admirals, continuity of grade.’’. 
(j) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 47 of title 14, 
United States Code, is further amended in the fifth sen-
tence by striking ‘‘subsection’’ and inserting ‘‘section’’. 
Subtitle B—Marine Safety 
Administration 
SEC. 721. MARINE SAFETY. 
(a) ESTABLISH MARINE SAFETY AS A COAST GUARD 
FUNCTION.—Chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 99. Marine safety 
‘‘To protect life, property, and the environment on, 
under, and over waters subject to the jurisdiction of the 
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United States and on vessels subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States, the Commandant shall promote mar-
itime safety as follows: 
‘‘(1) By taking actions necessary and in the 
public interest to protect such life, property, and the 
environment. 
‘‘(2) Based on the following priorities: 
‘‘(A) Preventing marine casualties and 
threats to the environment. 
‘‘(B) Minimizing the impacts of marine 
casualties and environmental threats. 
‘‘(C) Maximizing lives and property saved 
and environment protected in the event of a 
marine casualty.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis at the be-
ginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end 
the following new item: 
‘‘99. Marine safety.’’. 
SEC. 722. MARINE SAFETY STAFF. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new sections: 
‘‘§ 55. Marine safety workforce 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION
OF MARINE SAFETY WORK-
FORCE.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Commandant, shall designate those po-
sitions in the Coast Guard that constitute the ma-
rine safety workforce. 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED POSITIONS.—In designating po-
sitions under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall in-
clude, at a minimum, the following marine safety-re-
lated positions: 
‘‘(A) Program oversight. 
‘‘(B) Vessel and facility inspection. 
‘‘(C) Casualty investigation. 
‘‘(D) Pollution investigation. 
‘‘(E) Merchant Mariner licensing, docu-
mentation, and registry. 
‘‘(F) Marine safety engineering or other 
technical activities. 
‘‘(3) MARINE
SAFETY
MANAGEMENT
HEAD-
QUARTER ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary shall also des-
ignate under paragraph (1) those marine safety-re-
lated positions located at Coast Guard headquarters 
units, including the Marine Safety Center and the 
National Maritime Center. 
‘‘(b) 
CAREER
PATHS.—The 
Secretary, 
acting 
through the Commandant, shall ensure that appropriate 
career paths for civilian and military Coast Guard per-
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sonnel who wish to pursue careers in marine safety are 
identified in terms of the education, training, experience, 
and assignments necessary for career progression of civil-
ians and members of the Armed Forces to the most senior 
marine safety positions. The Secretary shall make avail-
able published information on such career paths. 
‘‘(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—With regard to the marine 
safety workforce, an officer, member, or civilian employee 
of the Coast Guard assigned as a— 
‘‘(1) marine inspector shall have the training, 
experience, and qualifications equivalent to that re-
quired for a similar position at a classification soci-
ety recognized by the Secretary under section 3316 
of title 46 for the type of vessel, system, or equip-
ment that is inspected; 
‘‘(2) marine casualty investigator shall have 
training, experience, and qualifications in investiga-
tion, marine casualty reconstruction, evidence collec-
tion and preservation, human factors, and docu-
mentation using best investigation practices by Fed-
eral and non-Federal entities; or 
‘‘(3) marine safety engineer shall have knowl-
edge, skill, and practical experience in— 
‘‘(A) the construction and operation of 
commercial vessels; 
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‘‘(B) judging the character, strength, sta-
bility, and safety qualities of such vessels and 
their equipment; or 
‘‘(C) the qualifications and training of ves-
sel personnel. 
‘‘(d) APPRENTICESHIP REQUIREMENT.—Any officer, 
member, or employee of the Coast Guard in training to 
become a marine inspector, marine casualty investigator, 
or a marine safety engineer shall serve a minimum of one- 
year apprenticeship, unless otherwise directed by the Com-
mandant, under the guidance of a qualified marine inspec-
tor, marine casualty investigator, or marine safety engi-
neer. The Commandant may authorize shorter apprentice-
ship periods for certain qualifications, as appropriate. 
‘‘(e) BALANCED WORKFORCE POLICY.—In the devel-
opment of marine safety workforce policies under this sec-
tion with respect to any civilian employees or applicants 
for employment with the Coast Guard, the Secretary shall, 
consistent with the merit system principles set out in para-
graphs (1) and (2) of section 2301(b) of title 5, take into 
consideration the need to maintain a balanced workforce 
in which women and members of racial and ethnic minor-
ity groups are appropriately represented in Government 
service. 
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‘‘(f) MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION
SYSTEM.—The 
Secretary, acting through the Commandant, shall estab-
lish a management information system for the marine 
safety workforce that shall provide, at a minimum, the fol-
lowing standardized information on persons serving in ma-
rine safety positions: 
‘‘(1) Qualifications, assignment history, and 
tenure in assignments of persons in the marine safe-
ty workforce. 
‘‘(2) Promotion rates for military and civilian 
personnel in the marine safety workforce. 
‘‘(g) ASSESSMENT OF ADEQUACY OF MARINE SAFE-
TY WORKFORCE.— 
‘‘(1) REPORT.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Commandant, shall report to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate by De-
cember 1 of each year on the adequacy of the cur-
rent marine safety workforce to meet that antici-
pated workload. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall specify the 
number of civilian and military Coast Guard per-
sonnel currently assigned to marine safety positions 
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and shall identify positions that are understaffed to 
meet the anticipated marine safety workload. 
‘‘(h) SECTOR CHIEF OF MARINE SAFETY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—There shall be in each 
Coast Guard sector a Chief of Marine Safety who 
shall be at least a Lieutenant Commander or civilian 
employee within the grade GS–13 of the General 
Schedule, and who shall be a— 
‘‘(A) marine inspector, qualified to inspect 
vessels, vessel systems, and equipment com-
monly found in the sector; and 
‘‘(B) qualified marine casualty investi-
gator. 
‘‘(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Chief of Marine Safety 
for a sector— 
‘‘(A) is responsible for all individuals who, 
on behalf of the Coast Guard, inspect or exam-
ine vessels, conduct marine casualty investiga-
tions; and 
‘‘(B) if not the Coast Guard officer in 
command of that sector, is the principal advisor 
to the Sector Commander regarding marine 
safety matters in that sector. 
‘‘(i) SIGNATORIES OF LETTER OF QUALIFICATION.— 
Each individual signing a letter of qualification for marine 
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safety personnel must hold a letter of qualification for the 
type being certified. 
‘‘§ 56. Centers of Expertise for Marine Safety 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard may establish and operate one or more Cen-
ters of Expertise for Marine Safety (in this section re-
ferred to as a ‘Center’). 
‘‘(b) MISSIONS.—The Centers shall— 
‘‘(1) be used to provide and facilitate education, 
training, and research in marine safety including 
vessel inspection and causality investigation; 
‘‘(2) develop a repository of information on ma-
rine safety; and 
‘‘(3) perform any other missions as the Com-
mandant may specify. 
‘‘(c) JOINT OPERATION WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTI-
TUTION AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant may enter into 
an agreement with an appropriate official of an institution 
of higher education to— 
‘‘(1) provide for joint operation of a Center; 
and 
‘‘(2) provide necessary administrative services 
for a Center, including administration and allocation 
of funds. 
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‘‘(d) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS.—(1) Except as 
provided in paragraph (2), the Commandant may accept, 
on behalf of a Center, donations to be used to defray the 
costs of the Center or to enhance the operation of the Cen-
ter. Those donations may be accepted from any State or 
local government, any foreign government, any foundation 
or other charitable organization (including any that is or-
ganized or operates under the laws of a foreign country), 
or any individual. 
‘‘(2) The Commandant may not accept a donation 
under paragraph (1) if the acceptance of the donation 
would compromise or appear to compromise— 
‘‘(A) the ability of the Coast Guard or the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, any 
employee of the Coast Guard or the department, or 
any member of the Armed Forces to carry out any 
responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; 
or 
‘‘(B) the integrity of any program of the Coast 
Guard, the department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating, or of any person involved in such a pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) The Commandant shall prescribe written guid-
ance setting forth the criteria to be used in determining 
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whether or not the acceptance of a donation from a foreign 
source would have a result described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘§ 57. Marine industry training program 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall, by pol-
icy, establish a program under which an officer, member, 
or employee of the Coast Guard may be assigned to a pri-
vate entity to further the institutional interests of the 
Coast Guard with regard to marine safety, including for 
the purpose of providing training to an officer, member, 
or employee. Policies to carry out the program— 
‘‘(1) with regard to an employee of the Coast 
Guard, shall include provisions, consistent with sec-
tions 3702 through 3704 of title 5, as to matters 
concerning— 
‘‘(A) the duration and termination of as-
signments; 
‘‘(B) reimbursements; and 
‘‘(C) status, entitlements, benefits, and ob-
ligations of program participants; and 
‘‘(2) shall require the Commandant, before ap-
proving the assignment of an officer, member, or 
employee of the Coast Guard to a private entity, to 
determine that the assignment is an effective use of 
the Coast Guard’s funds, taking into account the 
best interests of the Coast Guard and the costs and 
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benefits of alternative methods of achieving the same 
results and objectives. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than the date of 
the submission each year of the President’s budget request 
under section 1105 of title 31, the Commandant shall sub-
mit 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 report that describes— 
‘‘(1) the number of officers, members, and em-
ployees of the Coast Guard assigned to private enti-
ties under this section; and 
‘‘(2) the specific benefit that accrues to the 
Coast Guard for each assignment.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new items: 
‘‘55. Marine safety workforce. 
‘‘56. Centers of Expertise for Marine Safety. 
‘‘57. Marine industry training program.’’. 
SEC. 723. MARINE SAFETY MISSION PRIORITIES AND LONG- 
TERM GOALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 21 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
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‘‘§ 2116. Marine safety strategy, goals, and perform-
ance assessments 
‘‘(a) LONG-TERM STRATEGY AND GOALS.—In con-
junction with existing federally required strategic planning 
efforts, the Secretary shall develop a long-term strategy 
for improving vessel safety and the safety of individuals 
on vessels. The strategy shall include the issuance each 
year of an annual plan and schedule for achieving the fol-
lowing goals: 
‘‘(1) Reducing the number and rates of marine 
casualties. 
‘‘(2) Improving the consistency and effective-
ness of vessel and operator enforcement and compli-
ance programs. 
‘‘(3) Identifying and targeting enforcement ef-
forts at high-risk vessels and operators. 
‘‘(4) Improving research efforts to enhance and 
promote vessel and operator safety and performance. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS
OF
STRATEGY
AND
ANNUAL 
PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) MEASURABLE GOALS.—The strategy and 
annual plans shall include specific numeric or meas-
urable goals designed to achieve the goals set forth 
in subsection (a). The purposes of the numeric or 
measurable goals are the following: 
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‘‘(A) To increase the number of safety ex-
aminations on all high-risk vessels. 
‘‘(B) To eliminate the backlog of marine 
safety-related rulemakings. 
‘‘(C) To improve the quality and effective-
ness of marine safety information databases by 
ensuring that all Coast Guard personnel accu-
rately and effectively report all safety, casualty, 
and injury information. 
‘‘(D) To provide for a sufficient number of 
Coast Guard marine safety personnel, and pro-
vide adequate facilities and equipment to carry 
out the functions referred to in section 93(c). 
‘‘(2) RESOURCE NEEDS.—The strategy and an-
nual plans shall include estimates of— 
‘‘(A) the funds and staff resources needed 
to accomplish each activity included in the 
strategy and plans; and 
‘‘(B) the staff skills and training needed 
for timely and effective accomplishment of each 
goal. 
‘‘(c) SUBMISSION WITH THE PRESIDENT’S BUDG-
ET.—Beginning with fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the 
strategy and annual plan not later than 60 days following 
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the transmission of the President’s budget submission 
under section 1105 of title 31. 
‘‘(d) ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRESS
ASSESSMENT.—No less fre-
quently than semiannually, the Coast Guard Com-
mandant and the Assistant Commandant for Marine 
Safety shall jointly assess the progress of the Coast 
Guard toward achieving the goals set forth in sub-
section (b). The Commandant and the Assistant 
Commandant shall jointly convey their assessment to 
the employees of the Assistant Commandant and 
shall identify any deficiencies that should be rem-
edied before the next progress assessment. 
‘‘(2) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—The Secretary 
shall report annually to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate— 
‘‘(A) on the performance of the marine 
safety program in achieving the goals of the 
marine safety strategy and annual plan under 
subsection (a) for the year covered by the re-
port; 
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(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: 
‘‘§ 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 
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