‘‘709. Reserve student aviation pilots; Reserve aviation pilots; appointments in 
commissioned grade.’’; 
and 
(B) by striking the item relating to section 
740 and inserting the following: 
‘‘740. Failure of selection and removal from an active status.’’; 
(14) in section 742(c) by striking ‘‘subsection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsections’’; 
(15) in section 821(b)(1) by striking ‘‘Chapter 
26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’; and 
(16) in section 823a(b)(1), by striking ‘‘Chapter 
26’’ and inserting ‘‘Chapter 171’’. 
SEC. 211. DIGITAL BOAT PROFILE PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If, during the 1-year period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating 
determines that there are at least 2 digital boat profile tech-
nologies that are commercially available, the Secretary shall 
establish a pilot program, in accordance with this section, 
under which digital boat profiles are utilized for— 
(1) not less than 2 National Security Cutters; 
(2) not less than 4 Fast Response Cutters; and 
(3) not less than 4 Medium Endurance Cutters 
(270 foot). 
(b) TIMING.—With respect to the National Security 
Cutters and Fast Response Cutters participating in the 
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pilot program, a digital boat profile shall be established 
prior to the commissioning of the cutters. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the establish-
ment of the pilot program, and annually thereafter for the 
succeeding 4 years, 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 Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describ-
ing— 
(1) the implementation of the pilot program; and 
(2) the results of the use of digital boat profiles 
under the pilot program with respect to— 
(A) efficient maintenance of the cutters in-
volved; and 
(B) the post-delivery warranty management 
of equipment items, the repair and replacement 
of which are contractually obligated. 
(d) DIGITAL BOAT PROFILE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘digital boat profile’’ means a commercially 
available off-the-shelf technology that creates an electronic 
data source with respect to a vessel that— 
(1) provides lifecycle management support, in-
cluding through the incorporation of systems manu-
als, schematics, and vessel documentation; 
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(2) incorporates all manufacturer recommenda-
tions and operator best practices; 
(3) incorporates the use of real-time analytics of 
deferred tasks, future tasks, readiness assessments, 
and budgetary planners; 
(4) provides advance electronic notification of 
upcoming maintenance and inspections to multi-level 
permission-based recipients on a daily, weekly, or 
monthly basis; 
(5) facilitates oversight for pre-delivery discrep-
ancy reporting and post-delivery warranty manage-
ment of equipment items, the repair and replacement 
of which are contractually obligated; and 
(6) is accessible by computing devices. 
SEC. 212. DISCONTINUANCE OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall estab-
lish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to navigation 
established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—The process established under 
subsection (a) shall include procedures to notify the public 
of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described in 
that subsection. 
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(c) CONSULTATION.—In establishing a process under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and consider 
any recommendations of the Navigation Safety Advisory 
Council. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days after es-
tablishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
of the process established. 
SEC. 213. MISSION PERFORMANCE MEASURES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assess-
ment of the efficacy of the Coast Guard’s Standard Oper-
ational Planning Process with respect to annual mission 
performance measures. 
SEC. 214. COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish and 
carry out a response capabilities pilot program to assess, 
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at not fewer than 2 Coast Guard command centers, the effec-
tiveness of a radio gateway that— 
(1) provides for— 
(A) multiagency collaboration and inter-
operability; and 
(B) wide-area, secure, and peer-invitation- 
and-acceptance-based multimedia communica-
tions; 
(2) is certified by the Department of Defense 
Joint Interoperability Test Center; and 
(3) is composed of commercially available, off- 
the-shelf technology. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 
the succeeding 4 years, the Secretary 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 an assessment 
of the pilot program, including the impacts of the program 
with respect to interagency and Coast Guard response capa-
bilities. 
SEC. 215. COAST GUARD GRADUATE MARITIME OPER-
ATIONS EDUCATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
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Coast Guard is operating shall establish an education pro-
gram, for members and employees of the Coast Guard, 
that— 
(1) offers a master’s degree in maritime oper-
ations; 
(2) is relevant to the professional development of 
such members and employees; 
(3) provides resident and distant education op-
tions, including the ability to utilize both options; 
and 
(4) to the greatest extent practicable, is con-
ducted using existing academic programs at an ac-
credited public academic institution that— 
(A) is located near a significant number of 
Coast Guard, maritime, and other Department 
of Homeland Security law enforcement per-
sonnel; and 
(B) has an ability to simulate operations 
normally conducted at a command center. 
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
SEC. 301. TREATMENT OF FISHING PERMITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 313 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
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‘‘§ 31310. Treatment of fishing permits 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION ON MARITIME LIENS.—This chap-
ter— 
‘‘(1) does not establish a maritime lien on a fish-
ing permit; and 
‘‘(2) does not authorize any civil action to en-
force a maritime lien on a fishing permit. 
‘‘(b) TREATMENT OF FISHING PERMITS UNDER STATE 
AND FEDERAL LAW.—A fishing permit— 
‘‘(1) is governed solely by the State or Federal 
law under which it is issued; and 
‘‘(2) shall not be treated as part of a vessel, or 
as an appurtenance or intangible of a vessel, for any 
purpose under Federal law. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF COMMERCE NOT 
AFFECTED.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
imposing any limitation upon the authority of the Sec-
retary of Commerce— 
‘‘(1) to modify, suspend, revoke, or impose a 
sanction on any fishing permit issued by the Sec-
retary of Commerce; or 
‘‘(2) to bring a civil action to enforce such a 
modification, suspension, revocation, or sanction. 
‘‘(d) FISHING PERMIT DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘fishing permit’ means any authorization of a person 
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or vessel to engage in fishing that is issued under State 
or Federal law.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 31309 the following: 
‘‘31310. Treatment of fishing permits.’’. 
SEC. 302. SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3104 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 3104. Survival craft 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT TO EQUIP.—The Secretary shall 
require that a passenger vessel be equipped with survival 
craft that ensures that no part of an individual is immersed 
in water, if— 
‘‘(1) such vessel is built or undergoes a major 
conversion after January 1, 2016; and 
‘‘(2) operates in cold waters as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(b) HIGHER STANDARD OF SAFETY.—The Secretary 
may revise part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as in effect before January 1, 2016, if such 
revision provides a higher standard of safety than is pro-
vided by the regulations in effect on or before the date of 
the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2015. 
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‘‘(c) INNOVATIVE
AND NOVEL DESIGNS.—The Sec-
retary may, in lieu of the requirements set out in part 117 
or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in 
effect on the date of the enactment of the Coast Guard Au-
thorization Act of 2015, allow a passenger vessel to be 
equipped with a life saving appliance or arrangement of 
an innovative or novel design that— 
‘‘(1) ensures no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water; and 
‘‘(2) provides an equal or higher standard of 
safety than is provided by such requirements as in ef-
fect before such date of the enactment. 
‘‘(d) BUILT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘built’ 
has the meaning that term has under section 4503(e).’’. 
(b) REVIEW; REVISION OF REGULATIONS.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than December 31, 2015, 
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 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review 
of— 
(A) the number of casualties for individuals 
with disabilities, children, and the elderly as a 
result of immersion in water, reported to the 
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Coast Guard over the preceding 30-year period, 
by vessel type and area of operation; 
(B) the risks to individuals with disabil-
ities, children, and the elderly as a result of im-
mersion in water, by passenger vessel type and 
area of operation; 
(C) the effect that carriage of survival craft 
that ensure that no part of an individual is im-
mersed in water has on— 
(i) passenger vessel safety, including 
stability and safe navigation; 
(ii) improving the survivability of in-
dividuals, including individuals with dis-
abilities, children, and the elderly; and 
(iii) the costs, the incremental cost dif-
ference to vessel operators, and the cost effec-
tiveness of requiring the carriage of such 
survival craft to address the risks to indi-
viduals with disabilities, children, and the 
elderly; 
(D) the efficacy of alternative safety sys-
tems, devices, or measures in improving surviv-
ability of individuals with disabilities, children, 
and the elderly; and 
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(E) the number of small businesses and 
nonprofit vessel operators that would be affected 
by requiring the carriage of such survival craft 
on passenger vessels to address the risks to indi-
viduals with disabilities, children, and the elder-
ly. 
(2) REVISION.—Based on the review conducted 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may revise regu-
lations concerning the carriage of survival craft pur-
suant to section 3104(c) of title 46, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 303. ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 55305(d) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) Each department or agency that has respon-
sibility for a program under this section shall admin-
ister that program consistent with this section and 
any regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary 
of Transportation concerning this section.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3), and by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
following: 
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‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary, after consulting with the 
department, agency, organization, or person involved, 
shall have exclusive authority for determining the ap-
plicability of this section to a program of a Federal 
department or agency, after consulting with the de-
partment, agency, organization, or person involved. 
‘‘(B) The head of a Federal department or agen-
cy shall request the Secretary to determine the appli-
cability of this section to a program of such depart-
ment or agency if the department or agency is uncer-
tain of such applicability. Not later than 30 days 
after receiving such a request, the Secretary shall 
make such determination. 
‘‘(C) Subparagraph (B) shall not be construed to 
limit the authority of the Secretary to make a deter-
mination regarding the applicability of this section to 
a program administered by a Federal department or 
agency. 
‘‘(D) A determination made by the Secretary 
under this paragraph regarding a program shall re-
main in effect until the Secretary determines that this 
section no longer applies to such program.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by 
amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: 
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‘‘(A) shall conduct an annual review of the 
administration of programs subject to the re-
quirements of this section to determine compli-
ance with the requirements of this section;’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) On the date on which the President submits 
to Congress a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 
31, the Secretary shall make available on the Internet 
website of the Department of Transportation a report 
that— 
‘‘(A) lists the programs that were subject to 
determinations made by the Secretary under 
paragraph (2) in the preceding year; and 
‘‘(B) describes the results of the most recent 
annual review required by paragraph (3)(A), in-
cluding identification of the departments and 
agencies that transported cargo in violation of 
this section and any action the Secretary took 
under paragraph (3) with respect to each viola-
tion.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR FIRST REVIEW.—The Secretary of 
Transportation shall complete the first review required 
under the amendment made by subsection (a)(1)(C) by not 
later than December 31, 2015. 
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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 3511(c) of the 
Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2009 (46 U.S.C. 55305 note) is repealed. 
SEC. 304. MODEL YEARS FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4302 of title 46, United 
States Code is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e)(1) If in prescribing regulations under this section 
the Secretary establishes a model year for recreational ves-
sels and associated equipment, such model year shall, except 
as provided in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(A) begin on June 1 of a year and end on July 
31 of the following year; and 
‘‘(B) be designated by the year in which it ends. 
‘‘(2) Upon the request of a recreational vessel manufac-
turer to which this chapter applies, the Secretary may alter 
a model year for a model of recreational vessel of the manu-
facturer and associated equipment, by no more than 6 
months from the model year described in paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—This section shall only apply with 
respect to recreational vessels and associated equipment 
constructed or manufactured, respectively, on or after June 
1, 2015. 
(c) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall publish guid-
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ance to implement section 4302(d)(2) of title 46, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 305. MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL EXPIRATION 
HARMONIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c) and not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall establish a process to har-
monize the expiration dates of merchant mariner creden-
tials, mariner medical certificates, and radar observer en-
dorsements for individuals applying to the Secretary for a 
new merchant mariner credential or for renewal of an exist-
ing merchant mariner credential. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the process established under subsection (a)— 
(1) does not require an individual to renew a 
merchant mariner credential earlier than the date on 
which the individual’s current credential expires; and 
(2) results in harmonization of expiration dates 
for merchant mariner credentials, mariner medical 
certificates, and radar observer endorsements for all 
individuals by not later than 6 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) EXCEPTION.—The process established under sub-
section (a) does not apply to individuals— 
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(1) holding a merchant mariner credential 
with— 
(A) an active Standards of Training, Cer-
tification, and Watchkeeping endorsement; or 
(B) Federal first-class pilot endorsement; or 
(2) who have been issued a time-restricted med-
ical certificate. 
SEC. 306. MARINE EVENT SAFETY ZONES. 
Section 6 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 
U.S.C. 1225) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) MARINE EVENT SAFETY ZONES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Secretary shall recover all costs the 
Coast Guard incurs to enforce a safety zone under 
this section if such safety zone is established for a ma-
rine event conducted under a permit or other author-
ization by the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may not re-
cover costs under paragraph (1) from a State or local 
government. 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT OF RECOVERED COSTS.—Costs 
recovered by the Secretary under this subsection shall 
be credited to the appropriation for operating ex-
penses of the Coast Guard. 
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‘‘(4) MARINE EVENT DEFINED.—In this section 
the term ‘marine event’ means a planned activity of 
limited duration that by its nature, circumstances, or 
location, will introduce extra or unusual hazards to 
the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United 
States.’’. 
SEC. 307. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) TITLE 46.—Title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 103, by striking ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 
151).’’ and inserting ‘‘(33 U.S.C. 151(b)).’’; 
(2) in section 2118— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘title,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subtitle,’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subtitle’’; 
(3) in the analysis for chapter 35— 
(A) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3507; and 
(B) by adding a period at the end of the 
item relating to section 3508; 
(4) in section 3715(a)(2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
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(5) in section 8103(b)(1)(A)(iii), by striking 
‘‘Academy.’’ and inserting ‘‘Academy; and’’; and 
(6) in section 11113(c)(1)(A)(i), by striking 
‘‘under this Act’’. 
(b) GENERAL BRIDGE STATUTES.— 
(1) ACT OF MARCH 3, 1899.—The Act of March 
3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors 
Appropriations Act of 1899, is amended— 
(A) in section 9 (33 U.S.C. 401), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(B) in section 18 (33 U.S.C. 502), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(2) ACT OF MARCH 23, 1906.—The Act of March 
23, 1906, popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906, 
is amended— 
(A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 491), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
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(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 494), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Homeland Security’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’; and 
(C) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 495), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(3) ACT OF AUGUST 18, 1894.—Section 5 of the 
Act entitled ‘‘An Act making appropriations for the 
construction, repair, and preservation of certain pub-
lic works on rivers and harbors, and for other pur-
poses’’, approved August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 499) is 
amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
(4) ACT OF JUNE 21, 1940.—The Act of June 21, 
1940, popularly known as the Truman-Hobbs Act, is 
amended— 
(A) in the first section (33 U.S.C. 511), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
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(B) in section 4 (33 U.S.C. 514), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; 
(C) in section 7 (33 U.S.C. 517), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
and 
(D) in section 13 (33 U.S.C. 523), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’. 
(5) GENERAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1946.—The General 
Bridge Act of 1946 is amended— 
(A) in section 502(b) (33 U.S.C. 525(b)), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Secretary of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; and 
(B) in section 510 (33 U.S.C. 533), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the 
department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating’’. 
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(6) INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1972.—The 
International Bridge Act of 1972 is amended— 
(A) in section 5 (33 U.S.C. 535c), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating’’; and 
(B) in section 8 (33 U.S.C. 535e), by strik-
ing ‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating’’. 
SEC. 308. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF MA-
RINE CASUALTY REPORTING. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall notify 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the actions 
the Commandant will take to implement recommendations 
on improvements to the Coast Guard’s marine casualty re-
porting requirements and procedures included in— 
(1) the Department of Homeland Security Office 
of Inspector General report entitled ‘‘Marine Accident 
Reporting, Investigations, and Enforcement in the 
United States Coast Guard’’, released on May 23, 
2013; and 
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(2) the Towing Safety Advisory Committee re-
port entitled ‘‘Recommendations for Improvement of 
Marine Casualty Reporting’’, released on March 26, 
2015. 
SEC. 309. RECREATIONAL VESSEL ENGINE WEIGHTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations amending 
Table 4 to Subpart H of Part 183–Weights (Pounds) of Out-
board Motor and Related Equipment for Various Boat 
Horsepower Ratings (33 C.F.R. 183) as appropriate to re-
flect ‘‘Standard 30–Outboard Engine and Related Equip-
ment Weights’’ published by the American Boat and Yacht 
Council, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 310. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 
REFORM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7509. Medical certification by trusted agents 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law and pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary, a trusted agent may issue a medical certificate 
to an individual who— 
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‘‘(1) must hold such certificate to qualify for a 
license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s 
document, or endorsement thereto under this part; 
and 
‘‘(2) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and phys-
ical condition to perform the duties of such license, 
certificate, document, or endorsement, as determined 
by the trusted agent. 
‘‘(b) TRUSTED AGENT DEFINED.—In this section the 
term ‘trusted agent’ means a medical practitioner certified 
by the Secretary to perform physical examinations of an 
individual for purposes of a license, certificate of registry, 
or merchant mariner’s document under this part.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall issue a final 
rule implementing section 7509 of title 46, United States 
Code, as added by this section. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such 
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘7509. Medical certification by trusted agents.’’. 
SEC. 311. ATLANTIC COAST PORT ACCESS ROUTE STUDY. 
Not later than April 1, 2016, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall conclude the Atlantic Coast Port Access 
Route Study and submit the results of such study to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
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House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 312. CERTIFICATES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR REC-
REATIONAL VESSELS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the Department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall issue regulations that— 
(1) make certificates of documentation for rec-
reational vessels effective for 5 years; and 
(2) require the owner of such a vessel— 
(A) to notify the Coast Guard of each 
change in the information on which the issuance 
of the certificate of documentation is based, that 
occurs before the expiration of the certificate; and 
(B) apply for a new certificates of docu-
mentation for such a vessel if there is any such 
change. 
SEC. 313. PROGRAM GUIDELINES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— 
(1) develop guidelines to implement the program 
authorized under section 304(a) of the Coast Guard 
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (Public 
Law 109–241), including specific actions to ensure 
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the future availability of able and credentialed United 
States licensed and unlicensed seafarers including— 
(A) incentives to encourage partnership 
agreements with operators of foreign-flag vessels 
that carry liquified natural gas, that provide no 
less than one training billet per vessel for United 
States merchant mariners in order to meet min-
imum mandatory sea service requirements; 
(B) development of appropriate training 
curricula for use by public and private maritime 
training institutions to meet all United States 
merchant mariner license, certification, and doc-
ument laws and requirements under the Inter-
national Convention on Standards of Training, 
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
1978; and 
(C) steps to promote greater outreach and 
awareness of additional job opportunities for sea 
service veterans of the United States Armed 
Forces; and 
(2) submit such guidelines to the Committee 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
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SEC. 314. REPEALS. 
(a) REPEALS, MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 1936.—Sec-
tions 601 through 606, 608 through 611, 613 through 616, 
802, and 809 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 
53101 note) are repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 575 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 57501, by striking ‘‘titles V and 
VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’ ; and 
(2) in section 57531(a), by striking ‘‘titles V and 
VI’’ and inserting ‘‘title V’’. 
(c) TRANSFER
FROM
MERCHANT
MARINE
ACT, 
1936.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 801 of the Merchant 
Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. 53101 note) is— 
(A) redesignated as section 57522 of title 
46, United States Code, and transferred to ap-
pear after section 57521 of such title; and 
(B) as so redesignated and transferred, is 
amended— 
(i) by striking so much as precedes the 
first sentence and inserting the following: 
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‘‘§ 57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and in-
spection and auditing’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the provision of title 
VI or VII of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘this 
chapter’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘That the provisions’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘Commission; 
(2)’’ ; and 
(iv) by redesignating clauses (3) and 
(4) as clauses (2) and (3), respectively. 
(2) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 575, of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 57521 the following: 
‘‘57522. Books and records, balance sheets, and inspection and auditing.’’. 
(d) REPEALS, TITLE 46, U.S.C..—Section 8103 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended in subsections (c) and 
(d) by striking ‘‘or operating’’ each place it appears. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL MARITIME 
COMMISSION 
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 308. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal 
Maritime Commission $24,700,000 for each of fiscal years 
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2016 and 2017 for the activities of the Commission author-
ized under this chapter and subtitle IV.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
3 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘308. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
SEC. 402. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN. 
Section 301(c)(3)(A) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘units, but only 
after consultation with the other Commissioners;’’ and 
inserting ‘‘units (with such appointments subject to 
the approval of the Commission);’’; 
(2) in clause (iv) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(3) in clause (v) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) prepare and submit to the Presi-
dent and Congress requests for appropria-
tions for the Commission (with such re-
quests subject to the approval of the Com-
mission).’’. 
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON AWARDS. 
Section 307 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Maritime Commis-
sion’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), 
the Federal Maritime Commission may not expend any 
funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it to 
issue an award, prize, commendation, or other honor to a 
non-Federal entity.’’. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 501. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard may convey all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to the covered property, upon 
payment to the United States of the fair market value of 
the covered property. 
(b) RIGHT
OF FIRST REFUSAL.—The County of 
Marin, California shall have the right of first refusal with 
respect to purchase of the covered property under this sec-
tion. 
(c) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description 
of the covered property shall be determined by a survey sat-
isfactory to the Commandant. 
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(d) FAIR MARKET VALUE.—The fair market value of 
the covered property shall— 
(1) be determined by appraisal; and 
(2) be subject to the approval of the Com-
mandant. 
(e) COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—The responsibility for all 
reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate trans-
action and environmental documentation costs, associated 
with a conveyance under this section shall be determined 
by the Commandant and the purchaser. 
(f) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Com-
mandant may require such additional terms and conditions 
in connection with a conveyance under this section as the 
Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable to pro-
tect the interests of the United States. 
(g) DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS.—Any proceeds received 
by the United States in a conveyance under this section 
shall be deposited in the Coast Guard Housing Fund estab-
lished by section 687 of title 14, United States Code. 
(h) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered property’’ means the approximately 32 
acres of real property (including all improvements located 
on the property) that are— 
(1) located at Station Point Reyes in Marin 
County, California; 
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(2) under the administrative control of the Coast 
Guard; and 
(3) described as ‘‘Parcel A, Tract 1’’, ‘‘Parcel B, 
Tract 2’’, ‘‘Parcel C’’, and ‘‘Parcel D’’ in the Declara-
tion of Taking (Civil No. C–71–1245 SC) filed June 
28, 1971, in the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of California. 
SEC. 502. ELIMINATION OF REPORTS. 
(a) DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET.—Section 421 of the 
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (46 
U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by striking subsection (d). 
(b) ANNUAL UPDATES ON LIMITS TO LIABILITY.—Sec-
tion 603(c)(3) of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transpor-
tation Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 2704 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘on an annual basis.’’ and inserting ‘‘not later 
than January 30 of the year following each year in which 
occurs an oil discharge from a vessel or nonvessel source 
that results or is likely to result in removal costs and dam-
ages (as those terms are defined in section 1001 of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701)) that exceed liabil-
ity limits established under section 1004 of the Oil Pollu-
tion Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704).’’. 
(c) INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE ACT OF 1972.—The Inter-
national Bridge Act of 1972 is amended by striking section 
11 (33 U.S.C. 535h). 
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SEC. 503. VESSEL DOCUMENTATION. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and infrastruc-
ture of the House and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate, a description of actions 
that could be taken to— 
(1) improve the efficiency of performance of the 
functions currently carried out by the National Vessel 
Documentation Center, including by— 
(A) transferring such functions to Coast 
Guard headquarters; and 
(B) reassigning Coast Guard personnel to 
better meet the Coast Guard’s vessel documenta-
tion mission; and 
(2) strengthen the review of compliance with 
United States ownership requirements for vessels doc-
umented under the laws of the United States. 
SEC. 504. CONVEYANCE OF COAST GUARD PROPERTY IN 
TOK, ALASKA. 
(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard may convey all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to the covered property, upon 
payment to the United States of the fair market value of 
the covered property. 
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(b) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.—The Tanana Chiefs’ 
Conference shall have the right of first refusal with respect 
to purchase of the covered property under this section. 
(c) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description 
of the covered property shall be determined by a survey sat-
isfactory to the Commandant. 
(d) FAIR MARKET VALUE.—The fair market value of 
the covered property shall be— 
(1) determined by appraisal; and 
(2) subject to the approval of the Commandant. 
(e) COSTS OF CONVEYANCE.—The responsibility for all 
reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate trans-
action and environmental documentation costs, associated 
with a conveyance under this section shall be determined 
by the Commandant and the purchaser. 
(f) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Com-
mandant may require such additional terms and conditions 
in connection with a conveyance under this section as the 
Commandant considers appropriate and reasonable to pro-
tect the interests of the United States. 
(g) DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS.—Any proceeds received 
by the United States from a conveyance under this section 
shall be deposited in the Coast Guard Housing Fund estab-
lished under section 687 of title 14, United States Code. 
(h) COVERED PROPERTY DEFINED.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘‘cov-
ered property’’ means the approximately 3.25 acres of 
real property (including all improvements located on 
the property) that are— 
(A) located in Tok, Alaska; 
(B) under the administrative control of the 
Coast Guard; and 
(C) described in paragraph (2). 
(2) DESCRIPTION.—The property described in 
this paragraph is the following: 
(A) Lots 11, 12 and 13, block ‘‘G’’, Second 
Addition to Hartsell Subdivision, Section 20, 
Township 18 North, Range 13 East, Copper 
River Meridian, Alaska as appears by Plat No. 
72-39 filed in the Office of the Recorder for the 
Fairbanks Recording District of Alaska, bearing 
seal dated 25 September 1972, all containing ap-
proximately 1.25 Acres and commonly known as 
2-PLEX – Jackie Circle, Units A and B. 
(B) Beginning at a point being the SE cor-
ner of the SE 1⁄4 of the SE 1⁄4 Section 24, Town-
ship 18 North, Range 12 East, Copper River Me-
ridian, Alaska; thence running westerly along 
the south line of said SE 1⁄4 of the NE 1⁄4 260 
feet; thence northerly parallel to the east line of 
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said SE 1⁄4 of the NE 1⁄4 335 feet; thence easterly 
parallel to the south line 260 feet; then south 335 
feet along the east boundary of Section 24 to the 
point of beginning; all containing approximately 
2.0 acres and commonly known as 4-PLEX – 
West ‘‘C’’ and Willow, Units A, B, C and D. 
SEC. 505. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT LAKES. 
The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–281) is amended— 
(1) in section 610, by— 
(A) striking the section enumerator and 
heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 610. SAFE VESSEL OPERATION IN THE GREAT 
LAKES.’’; 
(B) striking ‘‘existing boundaries and any 
future expanded boundaries of the Thunder Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater 
Preserve’’ and inserting ‘‘boundaries of any na-
tional marine sanctuary that preserves ship-
wrecks or maritime heritage in the Great Lakes’’; 
and 
(C) by inserting before the period at the end 
the following: ‘‘, unless the designation docu-
ments for such sanctuary do not allow taking up 
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or discharging ballast water in such sanctuary’’; 
and 
(2) in the table of contents in section 2, by strik-
ing the item relating to such section and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘Sec. 610. Safe vessel operation in the Great Lakes.’’. 
SEC. 506. USE OF VESSEL SALE PROCEEDS. 
(a) AUDIT.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct an audit of funds credited in each fis-
cal year after fiscal year 2004 to the Vessel Operations Re-
volving Fund that are attributable to the sale of obsolete 
vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that were 
scrapped or sold under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 
of title 46, United States Code, including— 
(1) a complete accounting of all vessel sale pro-
ceeds attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the 
National Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or 
sold under sections 57102, 57103 and 57104 of title 
46, United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004; 
(2) the annual apportionment of proceeds ac-
counted for under paragraph (1) among the uses au-
thorized under section 308704 of title 54, United 
States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal year 2004, 
including— 
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(A) for National Maritime Heritage Grants, 
including a list of all annual National Maritime 
Heritage Grant grant and subgrant awards that 
identifies the respective grant and subgrant re-
cipients and grant and subgrant amounts; 
(B) for the preservation and presentation to 
the public of maritime heritage property of the 
Maritime Administration; 
(C) to the United States Merchant Marine 
Academy and State maritime academies, includ-
ing a list of annual awards; and 
(D) for the acquisition, repair, recondi-
tioning, or improvement of vessels in the Na-
tional Defense Reserve Fleet; and 
(3) an accounting of proceeds, if any, attrib-
utable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National 
Defense Reserve Fleet that were scrapped or sold 
under sections 57102, 57103, and 57104 of title 46, 
United States Code, in each fiscal year after fiscal 
year 2004, that were expended for uses not authorized 
under section 308704 of title 54, United States Code. 
(b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit the audit conducted in subsection (a) 
to the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Nat-
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ural Resources, and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 507. FISHING VESSEL AND FISH TENDER VESSEL CER-
TIFICATION. 
Section 4503 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘Subsection (a) does not apply to a fishing 
vessel or fish tender vessel described in subsection 
(d)(6), if the vessel complies with an alternative safe-
ty compliance program established under that sub-
section for such a vessel.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(6) The Secretary shall establish an alternative safety 
compliance program for fishing vessels or fish tender vessels 
(or both) that are at least 50 feet overall in length, and 
not more than 79 feet overall in length, and built after July 
1, 2013.’’. 
SEC. 508. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COST COM-
PARISON. 
(a) COST COMPARISON.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall seek to 
enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of 
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Sciences under which the Academy, by no later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 a com-
parison of the costs incurred by the Federal Government 
for each of the following alternatives: 
(1) Transferring the Polar Sea to a non-govern-
mental entity at no cost, and leasing back the vessel 
beginning on the date on which the Coast Guard cer-
tifies that the vessel is capable of the breaking out and 
missions described in subsection (c)(1). 
(2) The reactivation and operation by the Coast 
Guard of the Polar Sea to an operational level at 
which the vessel is capable of such breaking out and 
missions. 
(3) Acquiring and operating a new icebreaker 
through the Coast Guard’s acquisition process that is 
capable of such breaking out and missions. 
(4) Construction by a non-Federal entity of an 
icebreaker capable of such breaking out and missions, 
that will be leased by the Federal Government and 
operated using a Coast Guard crew. 
(5) Construction by a non-Federal entity of an 
icebreaker capable of such breaking out and missions, 
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that will be leased by the Federal Government and 
operated by a crew of non-Federal employees. 
(6) The acquisition of services from a non-Fed-
eral entity to perform such breaking out and mis-
sions. 
(b) INCLUDED COSTS.—For purposes of subsection (a), 
the cost of each alternative includes costs incurred by the 
Federal Government for— 
(1) the lease or operation and maintenance of the 
vessel concerned; 
(2) disposal of such vessel at the end of the useful 
life of the vessel; 
(3) retirement and other benefits for Federal em-
ployees who operate such vessel; and 
(4) interest payments assumed to be incurred for 
Federal capital expenditures. 
(c) ASSUMPTIONS.—For purposes of comparing the 
costs of such alternatives, the Academy shall assume that— 
(1) each vessel under consideration is— 
(A) capable of breaking out of McMurdo 
Station, and conducting Coast Guard missions 
in the United States territory in the Arctic (as 
that term is defined in section 112 of the Arctic 
Research and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 
4111)); and 
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(B) operated for a period of 20 years; 
(2) the acquisition of services and the operation 
of each vessel begin on the same date; and 
(3) the periods for conducting Coast Guard mis-
sions in the Arctic are of equal lengths. 
SEC. 509. PENALTY WAGES. 
(a) FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES.—Section 
10313(g) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘all claims in a class action 
suit by seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘each claim by a 
seaman’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the seamen’’ and inserting 
‘‘the seaman’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘class action’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘, by 
a seaman who is a claimant in the suit,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘by the seaman’’. 
(b) COASTWISE VOYAGES.—Section 10504(c) of such 
title is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘all claims in a class action 
suit by seamen’’ and inserting ‘‘each claim by a 
seaman’’; and 
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(B) by striking ‘‘the seamen’’ and inserting 
‘‘the seaman’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘class action’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘, by 
a seaman who is a claimant in the suit,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘by the seaman’’. 
SEC. 510. RECOURSE FOR NONCITIZENS. 
Section 30104 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before the 
first sentence; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) RESTRICTION ON RECOVERY FOR NONRESIDENT 
ALIENS EMPLOYED ON FOREIGN PASSENGER VESSELS.— 
A claim for damages or expenses relating to personal in-
jury, illness, or death of a seaman who is a citizen of a 
foreign nation, arising during or from the engagement of 
the seaman by or for a passenger vessel duly registered 
under the laws of a foreign nation, may not be brought 
under the laws of the United States if— 
‘‘(1) such seaman was not a permanent resident 
alien of the United States at the time the claim arose; 
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‘‘(2) the injury, illness, or death arose outside the 
territorial waters of the United States; and 
‘‘(3) the seaman or the seaman’s personal rep-
resentative has or had a right to seek compensation 
for the injury, illness, or death in, or under the laws 
of— 
‘‘(A) the nation in which the vessel was reg-
istered at the time the claim arose; or 
‘‘(B) the nation in which the seaman main-
tained citizenship or residency at the time the 
claim arose.’’. 
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Union Calendar No. 81 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1987 
[Report No. 114–115] 
A BILL 
To authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard 
for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, and for other 
purposes. 
MAY 15, 2015 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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