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(b) COURSE SUBJECT MATTER.—The training course 
developed under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) provide an overview and introduction to 
small uncrewed maritime systems, including exam-
ples of those used by the Federal Government, in 
academic settings, and in commercial sectors; 
(2) address the benefits and disadvantages of 
use of small uncrewed maritime systems; 
(3) address safe navigation of small uncrewed 
maritime systems, including measures to ensure col-
lision avoidance; 
(4) address the ability of small uncrewed mari-
time systems to communicate with and alert other 
vessels in the vicinity; 
(5) address the ability of small uncrewed mari-
time systems to respond to system alarms and fail-
ures to ensure control commensurate with the risk 
posed by the systems; 
(6) provide present and future capabilities of 
small uncrewed maritime systems; and 
(7) provide an overview of the role of the Inter-
national Maritime Organization in the governance of 
small uncrewed maritime systems. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) SMALL UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS.— 
The term ‘‘small uncrewed maritime systems’’ 
means unmanned maritime systems (as defined in 
section 2 of the CENOTE Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 
4101)), that— 
(A) are not greater than 35 feet overall in 
length; 
(B) are operated remotely or autono-
mously; and 
(C) exclusively perform oceanographic sur-
veys or scientific research. 
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
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SEC. 334. NOAA MEMBERSHIP ON AUTONOMOUS VESSEL 
POLICY COUNCIL. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant, with the concurrence of the 
Assistant Administrator of the Office of Marine and Avia-
tion Operations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, shall establish the permanent membership 
of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
employee to the Automated and Autonomous Vessel Policy 
Council of the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 335. TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 319(b)(1) of title 14, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘2 or more’’ and inserting ‘‘up to 
4’’. 
SEC. 336. UNCREWED SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that outlines 
a plan for establishing an uncrewed systems capa-
bilities office within the Coast Guard responsible for 
the acquisition and development of uncrewed system 
and counter-uncrewed system technologies and to ex-
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pand the capabilities of the Coast Guard with re-
spect to such technologies. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A management strategy for the acqui-
sition, 
development, 
and 
deployment 
of 
uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed system 
technologies. 
(B) A service-wide coordination strategy to 
synchronize and integrate efforts across the 
Coast Guard in order to— 
(i) support the primary duties of the 
Coast Guard pursuant to section 102 of 
title 14, United States Code; and 
(ii) pursue expanded research, devel-
opment, testing, and evaluation opportuni-
ties and funding to expand and accelerate 
identification and transition of uncrewed 
system and counter-uncrewed system tech-
nologies. 
(C) The identification of contracting and 
acquisition authorities needed to expedite the 
development and deployment of uncrewed sys-
tem and counter-uncrewed system technologies. 
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(D) A detailed list of commercially avail-
able uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed 
system technologies with capabilities determined 
to be useful for the Coast Guard. 
(E) A cross-agency collaboration plan to 
engage with the Department of Defense and 
other relevant agencies to identify common re-
quirements and opportunities to partner in ac-
quiring, contracting, and sustaining uncrewed 
system and counter-uncrewed system capabili-
ties. 
(F) Opportunities to obtain and share 
uncrewed system data from government and 
commercial sources to improve maritime do-
main awareness. 
(G) The development of a concept of oper-
ations for a data system that supports and inte-
grates uncrewed system and counter-uncrewed 
system technologies with key enablers, including 
enterprise communications networks, data stor-
age and management, artificial intelligence and 
machine learning tools, and information sharing 
and dissemination capabilities. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) COUNTER-UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘counter-uncrewed system’’— 
(A) means a system or device capable of 
lawfully and safely disabling, disrupting, or 
seizing control of an uncrewed system; and 
(B) includes a counter-UAS system (as 
such term is defined in section 44801 of title 
49, United States Code). 
(2) UNCREWED SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘uncrewed 
system’’— 
(A) means an uncrewed surface, undersea, 
or aircraft system and associated elements (in-
cluding communication links and the compo-
nents that control the uncrewed system) that 
are required for the operator to operate the sys-
tem safely and efficiently; and 
(B) includes an unmanned aircraft system 
(as such term is defined in section 44801 of 
title 49, United States Code). 
SEC. 337. MEDIUM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS CAPA-
BILITIES STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall con-
duct a study to determine the feasibility of expanding the 
National Security Cutter’s medium unmanned aircraft 
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system capabilities to Medium Endurance Cutters and 
Offshore Patrol Cutters. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a written report that 
contains the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—In submitting the study under 
paragraph (1), the Commandant shall determine— 
(A) the feasibility of equipping Offshore 
Patrol Cutters and Medium Endurance Cutters 
with medium unmanned aircraft systems; 
(B) the missions capabilities that would be 
strengthen by the use of such systems; and 
(V) projected procurement and operational 
costs for acquiring such systems. 
SEC. 338. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON COAST 
GUARD ACQUISITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
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of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
Senate the first of multiple reports of the use and acquisi-
tion of the Coast Guard of unmanned systems, with subse-
quent reports submitted after the first report. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The reports required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An inventory of the current unmanned sys-
tems of the Coast Guard, including the missions and 
assets on which such systems are deployed. 
(2) Cost, schedule, and performance status of 
the unmanned system acquisition programs of the 
Coast Guard. 
(3) The extent to which the Coast Guard has 
assessed how the use of such systems support the 
primary duties of the Coast Guard pursuant to sec-
tion 102 of title 14, United States Code. 
(4) An evaluation of the acquisition strategy of 
the Coast Guard for unmanned systems, including 
the extent to which the Coast Guard has evaluated 
the benefits and costs of acquiring— 
(A) commercially available systems; and 
(B) autonomous capabilities. 
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(5) An evaluation of the progress of the Coast 
Guard in establishing an unmanned systems capa-
bilities office responsible for the acquisition and de-
velopment of unmanned system technologies, and the 
effectiveness of such office, including the ability to— 
(A) support the acquisition, development, 
leasing, and deployment of unmanned systems 
technologies, including autonomous capabilities; 
(B) execute a service-wide coordination 
strategy to synchronize and integrate efforts 
across the Coast Guard; 
(C) pursue expanded research, develop-
ment, experimentation, testing, and evaluation 
opportunities and funding to expand and accel-
erate identification and transition of unmanned 
system technologies; and 
(D) execute cross-agency collaboration to 
engage with the Department of Homeland Se-
curity, the Department of Defense, and other 
relevant agencies to identify common require-
ments and opportunities to partner in acquir-
ing, contracting, and sustaining unmanned sys-
tem capabilities. 
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(6) Recommendations to improve the ability of 
the Coast Guard to evaluate, acquire, and deploy un-
manned systems technologies. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In developing the report re-
quired under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may 
consult with— 
(1) the maritime and aviation industries; 
(2) Federal Government agencies familiar with 
the use and deployment of unmanned systems; and 
(3) any relevant— 
(A) federally funded research institutions; 
(B) nongovernmental organizations; and 
(C) manufactures of unmanned systems. 
SEC. 339. NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES REPORT ON 
UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND USE OF DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek 
to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy 
of Sciences under which the Academy shall prepare an as-
sessment of available unmanned, autonomous, or re-
motely-controlled maritime domain awareness technologies 
for use by the Coast Guard. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—In carrying out the assessment 
under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences 
shall— 
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(1) describe the potential benefits and limita-
tions of current and emerging unmanned, autono-
mous, or remotely controlled systems used in the 
maritime domain for— 
(A) ocean observation; 
(B) vessel monitoring and identification; 
(C) weather observation; 
(D) search and rescue operations; 
(E) to the extent practicable for consider-
ation by the Academy, intelligence gathering, 
surveillance, and reconnaissance; and 
(F) communications; 
(2) assess how technologies described in para-
graph (1) can help prioritize Federal investment by 
examining— 
(A) affordability, including acquisition, op-
erations, maintenance and lifecycle costs; 
(B) reliability; 
(C) versatility; 
(D) efficiency; and 
(E) estimated service life and persistence 
of effort; 
(3) analyze whether the use of new and emerg-
ing maritime domain awareness technologies can be 
used to— 
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(A) effectively carry out Coast Guard mis-
sions at lower costs and reduced manpower 
needs; 
(B) expand the scope and range of Coast 
Guard maritime domain awareness; and 
(C) allow the Coast Guard to more effi-
ciently and effectively allocate Coast Guard ves-
sels, aircraft, and personnel; 
(4) evaluate the extent to which such systems 
have moved from the research and development 
phase to effective operations since the National 
Academy of Sciences published the study titled 
‘‘Leveraging Unmanned Systems for Coast Guard 
Missions’’ and issued in 2020; and 
(5) identify adjustments that would be nec-
essary in Coast Guard authorities, policies, proce-
dures, and protocols to incorporate unmanned tech-
nologies to enhance efficiency. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after entering into an arrangement under subsection (a), 
the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the as-
sessment prepared under this section. 
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(d) USE
OF INFORMATION.—In formulating costs 
pursuant to subsection (b), the National Academy of 
Sciences may utilize information from other Coast Guard 
reports, assessments, or analyses regarding existing Coast 
Guard manpower requirements or other reports, assess-
ments, or analyses for the acquisition of unmanned, auton-
omous, or remotely-controlled technologies by the Federal 
Government. 
SEC. 340. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter IV of chapter 5 of 
title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 565. Use of unmanned aircraft systems 
‘‘With respect to any unmanned aircraft system pro-
cured by the Coast Guard, the Commandant shall ensure 
that such system be used to support the primary duties 
of the Coast Guard pursuant to section 102.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘565. Use of unmanned aircraft systems.’’. 
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Subtitle E—Other Matters 
SEC. 341. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFI-
CATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo 
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115– 
282) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 904. INFORMATION ON TYPE APPROVAL CERTIFI-
CATES. 
‘‘Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard shall, upon request by any 
State, the District of Columbia, any Indian Tribe, or any 
territory of the United States, provide all data possessed 
by the Coast Guard for a ballast water management sys-
tem with a type approval certificate approved by the Coast 
Guard pursuant to subpart 162.060 of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment 
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 pertaining 
to— 
‘‘(1) challenge water (as defined in section 
162.060–3 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025) quality character-
istics; 
‘‘(2) post-treatment water quality characteris-
tics; 
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‘‘(3) challenge water (as defined in section 
162.060–3 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2025) biologic organism 
concentrations data; and 
‘‘(4) post-treatment water biologic organism 
concentrations data.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
for the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2018 (Public Law 115–282) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 903 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 904. Information on type approval certificates.’’. 
SEC. 342. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5(a) of the Deepwater 
Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504(a)) is amended by 
striking the first sentence and inserting ‘‘Notwithstanding 
section 888(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 468(b)), the Secretary shall have the authority to 
issue regulations to carry out the purposes and provisions 
of this Act, in accordance with the provisions of section 
553 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to sub-
section (a) thereof.’’. 
(b) NEPA COMPLIANCE.—Section 5 of the Deep-
water Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1504) is amended by 
striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) NEPA COMPLIANCE.— 
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‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF LEAD AGENCY.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘lead agency’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 111 of the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e). 
‘‘(2) LEAD AGENCY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For all applications, 
the Maritime Administration shall be the Fed-
eral lead agency for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.). 
‘‘(B) EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE.—Compli-
ance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in accord-
ance with subparagraph (A) shall fulfill the re-
quirement of the Federal lead agency in car-
rying out the responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) pursuant to this Act.’’. 
(c) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall transfer the authorities provided to 
the Coast Guard in part 148 of title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of en-
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actment of this Act), except as provided in para-
graph (2), to the Secretary of Transportation. 
(2) RETENTION
OF
AUTHORITY.—The Com-
mandant shall retain responsibility for authorities 
pertaining to design, construction, equipment, and 
operation of deepwater ports and navigational safe-
ty. 
(3) UPDATES
TO
AUTHORITY.—As soon as 
practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall issue such reg-
ulations as are necessary to reflect the updates to 
authorities prescribed by this subsection. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion, or the amendments made by this section, may be con-
strued to limit the authorities of other governmental agen-
cies previously delegated authorities of the Deepwater 
Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) or any other 
law. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—Nothing in this section, or the 
amendments made by this section, shall apply to any ap-
plication submitted before the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
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SEC. 343. AMENDMENTS TO PASSENGER VESSEL SECURITY 
AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) MAINTENANCE
OF SUPPLIES THAT PREVENT 
SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED
DISEASES.—Section 
3507(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting ‘‘(taking into consideration the length of the 
voyage and the number of passengers and crewmembers 
that the vessel can accommodate)’’ after ‘‘a sexual as-
sault’’. 
(b) CREW ACCESS
TO PASSENGER STATEROOMS; 
PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS.—Section 3507(f) of 
title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
the following: 
‘‘(C) a system that electronically records 
the date, time, and identity of each crew mem-
ber accessing each passenger stateroom; and’’; 
and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) ensure that the procedures and restrictions 
are— 
‘‘(A) fully and properly implemented; 
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‘‘(B) reviewed annually; and 
‘‘(C) updated as necessary.’’. 
SEC. 344. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A 
CETACEAN DESK FOR PUGET SOUND REGION. 
Section 11304(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Don Young Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. 1390 note) 
is amended by striking ‘‘4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘6 years’’. 
SEC. 345. SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF USE OF DE-
VICES BROADCASTING ON AIS FOR PUR-
POSES OF MARKING FISHING GEAR. 
Section 11320 of the Don Young Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 
4092) is amended by striking ‘‘during the period’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘until December 31, 2029.’’. 
SEC. 346. CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES. 
Section 3316(d) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (2)(B)(i) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(i) the government of the foreign country in 
which the foreign society is headquartered— 
‘‘(I) delegates that authority to the Amer-
ican Bureau of Shipping; or 
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‘‘(II) does not delegate that authority to 
any classification society; or’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) CLARIFICATION ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing 
in this subsection authorizes the Secretary to make 
a delegation under paragraph (2) to a classification 
society from the People’s Republic of China.’’. 
SEC. 347. ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSEL REMOVALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 47 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the chapter heading by striking 
‘‘BARGES’’ and inserting ‘‘VESSELS’’; 
(2) by inserting before section 4701 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; AND 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—NON-BARGE VESSELS 
‘‘§ 4710. Definitions 
‘‘In this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) ABANDON.—The term ‘abandon’ means to 
moor, strand, wreck, sink, or leave a covered vessel 
unattended for longer than 45 days. 
‘‘(2) COVERED
VESSEL.—The term ‘covered 
vessel’ means a vessel that is not a barge to which 
subchapter I applies. 
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‘‘(3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(4) NATIVE
HAWAIIAN
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term ‘Native Hawaiian organization’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 6207 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7517) except the term includes the Depart-
ment of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of 
Hawaiian Affairs. 
‘‘§ 4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An owner or operator of a cov-
ered vessel may not abandon such vessel on the navigable 
waters of the United States. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF ABANDONMENT.— 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a cov-
ered vessel that appears to be abandoned, the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall— 
‘‘(i) attempt to identify the owner 
using the vessel registration number, hull 
identification number, or any other infor-
mation that can be reasonably inferred or 
gathered; and 
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‘‘(ii) notify such owner— 
‘‘(I) of the penalty described in 
subsection (c); and 
‘‘(II) that the vessel will be re-
moved at the expense of the owner if 
the Commandant determines that the 
vessel is abandoned and the owner 
does not remove or account for the 
vessel. 
‘‘(B) FORM.—The Commandant shall pro-
vide the notice required under subparagraph 
(A)— 
‘‘(i) if the owner can be identified, via 
certified mail or other appropriate forms 
determined by the Commandant; or 
‘‘(ii) if the owner cannot be identified, 
via an announcement in a local publication 
and on a website maintained by the Coast 
Guard. 
‘‘(2) 
DETERMINATION.—The 
Commandant 
shall make a determination not earlier than 45 days 
after the date on which the Commandant provides 
the notification required under paragraph (1) of 
whether a covered vessel described in such para-
graph is abandoned. 
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‘‘(c) PENALTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant may as-
sess a civil penalty of not more than $500 against 
an owner or operator of a covered vessel determined 
to be abandoned under subsection (b) for a violation 
of subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) LIABILITY IN REM.—The owner or oper-
ator of a covered vessel shall also be liable in rem 
for a penalty imposed under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The Commandant shall not 
assess a penalty if the Commandant determines the 
vessel was abandoned due to major extenuating cir-
cumstances of the owner or operator of the vessel, 
including long term medical incapacitation of the 
owner or operator. 
‘‘(d) VESSELS NOT ABANDONED.—The Commandant 
may not determine that a covered vessel is abandoned 
under this section if— 
‘‘(1) such vessel is located at a federally ap-
proved or State approved mooring area; 
‘‘(2) such vessel is located on private property 
with the permission of the owner of such property; 
‘‘(3) the owner or operator of such vessel pro-
vides a notification to the Commandant that— 
‘‘(A) indicates the location of the vessel; 
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‘‘(B) indicates that the vessel is not aban-
doned; and 
‘‘(C) contains documentation proving that 
the vessel is allowed to be in such location; or 
‘‘(4) the Commandant determines that such an 
abandonment determination would not be in the 
public interest. 
‘‘§ 4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2025, the Commandant, in consultation with the Ad-
ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration and relevant State agencies, shall establish 
and maintain a national inventory of covered vessels that 
are abandoned. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS.—The inventory established and 
maintained under subsection (a) shall include data on each 
vessel, including geographic information system data re-
lated to the location of each such vessel. 
‘‘(c) PUBLICATION.—The Commandant shall make 
the inventory established under subsection (a) publicly 
available on a website of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(d) REPORTING
OF
POTENTIALLY
ABANDONED 
VESSELS.—In carrying out this section, the Commandant 
shall develop a process by which— 
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‘‘(1) a State, Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian or-
ganization, or person may report a covered vessel 
that may be abandoned to the Commandant for po-
tential inclusion in the inventory established under 
subsection (a); 
‘‘(2) the Commandant shall review any such re-
port and add such vessel to the inventory if the 
Commandant determines that the reported vessel is 
abandoned pursuant to section 4711. 
‘‘(e) CLARIFICATION.—Except in a response action 
carried out under section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pol-
lution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) or in the case of im-
minent threat to life and safety, the Commandant shall 
not be responsible for removing any covered vessels listed 
on the inventory established and maintained under sub-
section (a).’’. 
(b) RULEMAKING.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief 
of Engineers, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, 
shall issue regulations with respect to the procedures for 
determining that a vessel is abandoned for the purposes 
of subchapter II of chapter 47 of title 46, United States 
Code (as added by this section). 
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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 47 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 4701— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(2) in section 4703 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; 
(3) in section 4704 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’; and 
(4) in section 4705 by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(d) CLERICAL
AMENDMENTS.—The analysis for 
chapter 47 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting before the item relating to sec-
tion 4701 the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—BARGES’’; AND 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—NON-BARGE VESSELS 
‘‘4710. Definitions. 
‘‘4711. Abandonment of vessels prohibited. 
‘‘4712. Inventory of abandoned vessels.’’. 
SEC. 348. OFFSHORE OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3702(b) of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
striking ‘‘offshore drilling or production facilities in 
the oil industry’’ and inserting ‘‘exploration, develop-
ment, or production of offshore drilling or produc-
tion facilities in the oil industry and non-mineral en-
ergy production’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘oil exploi-
tation’’ and inserting ‘‘exploration, development, or 
production of offshore energy resources’’. 
(b) OIL FUEL TANK PROTECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law and not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall amend section 125.115(b) of title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date of en-
actment), to reflect the amendment made in sub-
section (a). 
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to 
amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the 
date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, then, in lieu of the application of such sec-
tion, the Secretary shall allow vessels to which sec-
tion 3702 of title 46, United States Code, applies to 
transfer fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such ves-
sel to offshore facilities in support of exploration, de-
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velopment, or production of offshore energy re-
sources. 
(c) OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant 
shall amend section G6.3.a of the United States 
Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume II ti-
tled ‘‘Materiel Inspection: Outer Continental Shelf 
Activities’’, 
issued 
September 
20, 
2021 
(COMDTINST M16000.76) (as in effect on such 
date of enactment), to reflect the amendment made 
in subsection (a). 
(2) APPLICATION.—If the Commandant fails to 
amend the section described in paragraph (1) by the 
date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, then the Secretary shall in lieu of such sec-
tion not apply section 3702 of title 46, United 
States Code, to a documented vessel transferring 
fuel from the fuel supply tanks of such vessel to an 
offshore facility if such vessel is not a tanker and is 
in the service of exploration, development, or produc-
tion of offshore energy resources. 
SEC. 349. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. 
Section 9(b) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 
1958) is amended by striking ‘‘, of which not more than 
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5 percent is authorized for each fiscal year for administra-
tive costs’’. 
SEC. 350. BRIEFING ON DEPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL PUR-
POSE CRAFT – HEAVY WEATHER SECOND 
GENERATION (SPC-HWX II) VESSELS IN PA-
CIFIC NORTHWEST. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a briefing on— 
(1) the status of the acquisition and procure-
ment of second-generation Special Purpose Craft – 
Heavy Weather (SPC–HWX II) vessels; 
(2) the timeline for the deployment of such ves-
sels to stations in the Pacific Northwest previously 
served by the first-generation Special Purpose Craft 
– Heavy Weather vessels; and 
(3) any outstanding barriers to the timeliness of 
such deployment. 
TITLE IV—OIL POLLUTION 
RESPONSE 
SEC. 401. VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS. 
(a) SALVAGE AND MARINE FIREFIGHTING RESPONSE 
CAPABILITY.—Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollu-
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tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) SALVAGE
AND
MARINE
FIREFIGHTING 
RESPONSE CAPABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting 
through the Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating unless oth-
erwise delegated by the President, may re-
quire— 
‘‘(i) periodic inspection of vessels and 
salvage equipment, firefighting equipment, 
and other major marine casualty response 
equipment on or associated with vessels; 
‘‘(ii) periodic verification of capabili-
ties to appropriately, and in a timely man-
ner, respond to a marine casualty, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(I) drills, with or without prior 
notice; 
‘‘(II) review of contracts and rel-
evant third-party agreements; 
‘‘(III) testing of equipment; 
‘‘(IV) review of training; and 
‘‘(V) other evaluations of marine 
casualty response capabilities, as de-
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termined appropriate by the Presi-
dent; and 
‘‘(iii) carrying of appropriate response 
equipment for responding to a marine cas-
ualty that employs the best technology eco-
nomically feasible and that is compatible 
with the safe operation of the vessel. 
‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) MARINE
CASUALTY.—The term 
‘marine casualty’ means a marine casualty 
that is required to be reported pursuant to 
paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 6101 
of title 46, United States Code. 
‘‘(ii) 
SALVAGE
EQUIPMENT.—The 
term ‘salvage equipment’ means any equip-
ment that is capable of being used to assist 
a vessel in potential or actual danger in 
order to prevent loss of life, damage or de-
struction of the vessel or its cargo, or re-
lease of its contents into the marine envi-
ronment.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to 
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the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on— 
(A) the state of marine firefighting au-
thorities, jurisdiction, and plan review; and 
(B) other considerations with respect to 
fires at waterfront facilities (including vessel 
fires) and vessel fires on the navigable waters 
(as such term is defined in section 502 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1362)). 
(2) CONTENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) examine— 
(i) collaboration among Federal and 
non-Federal entities for purposes of reduc-
ing the risks to local communities of fires 
described in paragraph (1); 
(ii) the prevalence and frequency of 
such fires; and 
(iii) the extent to which firefighters 
and marine firefighters are aware of the 
dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, includ-
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ing lithium-ion batteries used for vehicles, 
and how to respond to such fires; 
(B) review methods of documenting and 
sharing best practices throughout the maritime 
community for responding to vessel fires; and 
(C) make recommendations for— 
(i) preparing for, responding to, and 
training for such fires; 
(ii) clarifying roles and responsibilities 
of Federal and non-Federal entities in pre-
paring for, responding to, and training for 
such fires; and 
(iii) other topics for consideration. 
SEC. 402. USE OF MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 6308 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘initiated’’ and 
inserting ‘‘conducted’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) For purposes of this section, an administrative 
proceeding conducted by the United States includes pro-
ceedings under section 7701 and claims adjudicated under 
section 1013 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 
2713).’’. 
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SEC. 403. TIMING OF REVIEW. 
Section 1017 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 
U.S.C. 2717) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) TIMING OF REVIEW.—Before the date of com-
pletion of a removal action, no person may bring an action 
under this Act, section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321), or chapter 7 of title 5, 
United States Code, challenging any decision relating to 
such removal action that is made by an on-scene coordi-
nator appointed under the National Contingency Plan.’’. 
SEC. 404. ONLINE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the National Response Cen-
ter shall submit to Congress a plan to design, fund, and 
staff the National Response Center to develop and main-
tain a web-based application by which the National Re-
sponse Center may receive notifications of oil discharges 
or releases of hazardous substances. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT
OF APPLICATION.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date on which the plan is submitted 
under subsection (a), the National Response Center 
shall— 
(1) complete development of the application de-
scribed in such subsection; and 
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(2) allow notifications described in such sub-
section that are required under Federal law or regu-
lation to be made online using such application. 
(c) USE
OF APPLICATION.—In carrying out sub-
section (b), the National Response Center may not require 
the notification of an oil discharge or release of a haz-
ardous substance to be made using the application devel-
oped under such subsection. 
SEC. 405. INVESTMENT OF EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL 
COURT RECOVERY IN HIGH YIELD INVEST-
MENTS AND MARINE RESEARCH. 
Section 350 of Public Law 106–113 (43 U.S.C. 
1474b note) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (5); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), 
(6), and (7) as subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), 
respectively, and indenting the subsections appro-
priately; 
(3) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(1) Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law and subject to the provi-
sions of paragraphs (5) and (7)’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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‘‘(1) CONSENT
DECREE.—The term ‘Consent 
Decree’ means the consent decree issued in United 
States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 
CIV) and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et 
al. (No. A91–083 CIV). 
‘‘(2) FUND.—The term ‘Fund’ means the Nat-
ural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration 
Fund established pursuant to title I of the Depart-
ment of the Interior and Related Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b). 
‘‘(3) OUTSIDE
ACCOUNT.—The term ‘outside 
account’ means any account outside the United 
States Treasury. 
‘‘(4) TRUSTEE.—The term ‘Trustee’ means a 
Federal or State natural resource trustee for the 
Exxon Valdez oil spill. 
‘‘(b) DEPOSITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law and subject to subsection (g)’’; 
(4) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘issued in United States v. 
Exxon Corporation, et al. (No. A91–082 CIV) 
and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et 
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al. (No. A91–083 CIV) (hereafter referred to as 
the ‘Consent Decree’),’’; 
(B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) the Fund; 
‘‘(B) an outside account; or’’; and 
(C) in the undesignated matter following 
subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘the Federal and State 
natural resource trustees for the Exxon 
Valdez oil spill (‘trustees’)’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Trustees’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Any funds’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT FOR DEPOSITS IN OUTSIDE 
ACCOUNTS.—Any funds’’; 
(5) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2)) by striking ‘‘(C) Joint’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) TRANSFERS.—Any joint’’; 
(6) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2)) by striking ‘‘(D) The transfer’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(d) NO EFFECT ON JURISDICTION.—The transfer’’; 
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(7) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(E) Nothing herein shall 
affect’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.—Nothing in this sec-
tion affects’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘trustees’’ and inserting 
‘‘Trustees’’; 
(8) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(F) The Federal trustees 
and the State trustees’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(f) GRANTS.—The Trustees’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘this program’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘this section, prioritizing the issuance of 
grants to facilitate habitat protection and habi-
tat restoration programs’’; and 
(9) in subsection (g) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘Upon the expiration of the authorities granted 
in this section all’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) RETURN OF FUNDS.—On expiration of the 
authority provided in this section, all’’; and 
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(B) by striking ‘‘(G) The authority’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) EXPIRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The authority’’. 
SEC. 406. ADDITIONAL RESPONSE ASSETS. 
(a) EXEMPTION AND REQUIREMENTS.—Section 3302 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(o) ADDITIONAL RESPONSE ASSETS.— 
‘‘(1) VESSELS
EXEMPT
FROM
INSPECTION.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a 
qualified vessel engaged in a qualified oil spill re-
sponse shall not be subject to inspection if the quali-
fied vessel— 
‘‘(A) has— 
‘‘(i) an agreement by contract or 
other approved means with an oil spill re-
moval organization to support a response 
plan under section 311(j) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)), including training and exercises 
related to oil spill response activities; or 
‘‘(ii) been approved by the Secretary 
to respond to a discharge of oil or to par-
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ticipate in training and exercises related to 
oil spill response activities; 
‘‘(B) is normally and substantially involved 
in activities other than, and not adapted to, 
spill response; 
‘‘(C) complies with all applicable laws for 
the use of such vessel in the activities for which 
such vessel is normally and substantially oper-
ated, including any inspection requirement 
under this title for such use; and 
‘‘(D) has at least 1 crewmember possessing 
certifications for, or who are in training for, ap-
plicable hazardous waste operations and emer-
gency response. 
‘‘(2) ALLOWANCES.—A qualified vessel under 
paragraph (1) may— 
‘‘(A) unless otherwise inspected as a tow-
ing vessel under this title, tow only— 
‘‘(i) another vessel or a device, includ-
ing a bladder, designed to carry oil or oil 
residues with the capacity of less than 250 
barrels; or 
‘‘(ii) oil spill response equipment, in-
cluding boom, skimmers, or other response 
equipment; 
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‘‘(B) carry— 
‘‘(i) temporary storage containers on 
board for recovered oil or oil-contaminated 
materials collected during an oil spill re-
sponse, including bags, drums, and totes 
as approved by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) oil spill response equipment; or 
‘‘(iii) no more than 6 passengers for 
hire in support of a response plan under 
Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollu-
tion Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) ap-
proved by the Secretary unless the vessel 
has been inspected under paragraph (4) or 
(8) of section 3301 or is authorized by the 
Secretary to carry more than 6 passengers 
for hire; 
‘‘(C) if the qualified vessel is a tank vessel, 
be used for storage of recovered oil only if not 
carrying oil as cargo at the time of an oil spill 
response; or 
‘‘(D) conduct any other operation, or en-
gage in training or exercises, in support of a re-
sponse plan under section 311(j) of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)) approved by the Secretary. 
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‘‘(B) 
PROTECTION
OF
CONFIDEN-
TIALITY.—Any Coast Guard form retained 
under subparagraph (A) shall be retained in a 
manner that protects the confidentiality of the 
member of the Coast Guard concerned in ac-
cordance with Coast Guard policy. 
‘‘(3) RETENTION
OF
CASE
NOTES
IN
INVES-
TIGATIONS
OF
COVERED
MISCONDUCT
INVOLVING 
MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIRED RETENTION OF ALL IN-
VESTIGATIVE
RECORDS.—The comprehensive 
policy required by subsection (a) shall require, 
for all criminal investigations relating to an al-
leged incident of covered misconduct involving a 
member of the Coast Guard, the retention of all 
elements of the case file. 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—The elements of the 
case file to be retained under subparagraph (A) 
shall include, at a minimum— 
‘‘(i) the case activity record; 
‘‘(ii) the case review record; 
‘‘(iii) investigative plans; and 
‘‘(iv) all case notes made by any in-
vestigating agent. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:28 Jul 24, 2025
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