foreign country as complying with this chapter and the 
regulations prescribed under this chapter.’’. 
(j) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for sub-
chapter II of chapter 145 of such title is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘14514. Reciprocity for foreign vessels.’’. 
SEC. 306. COLD WEATHER SURVIVAL TRAINING. 
(a) REPORT.—The Commandant of the Coast Guard 
shall report to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the efficacy of cold weather survival training 
conducted by the Coast Guard in Coast Guard District 
17 over the preceding 5 years. The report shall include 
plans for conducting such training in fiscal years 2008 
through 2011. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS
FOR 
TRAINING.—There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Homeland Security $150,000 to carry out 
cold weather survival training in Coast Guard District 17. 
SEC. 307. FISHING VESSEL SAFETY. 
(a) SAFETY STANDARDS.—Section 4502 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by— 
(A) striking paragraphs (6) and (7) and 
inserting the following:
‘‘(6) other equipment required to minimize the 
risk of injury to the crew during vessel operations, 
if the Secretary determines that a risk of serious in-
jury exists that can be eliminated or mitigated by 
that equipment; and’’; and 
(B) redesignating paragraph (8) as para-
graph (7); 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘docu-
mented’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘the 
Boundary Line’’ and inserting ‘‘3 nautical miles 
from the baseline from which the territorial sea 
of the United States is measured or beyond 3 
nautical miles from the coastline of the Great 
Lakes’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ‘‘life-
boats or liferafts’’ and inserting ‘‘a survival 
craft that ensures that no part of an individual 
is immersed in water’’; 
(D) in paragraph (2)(D), by inserting 
‘‘marine’’ before ‘‘radio’’; 
(E) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking 
‘‘radar reflectors, nautical charts, and anchors’’
and inserting ‘‘nautical charts, and publica-
tions’’; 
(F) in paragraph (2)(F), by striking ‘‘, in-
cluding medicine chests’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
medical supplies sufficient for the size and area 
of operation of the vessel’’ and 
(G) by amending paragraph (2)(G) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(G) ground tackle sufficient for the vessel.’’; 
(3) by amending subsection (f) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(f) To ensure compliance with the requirements of 
this chapter, the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) shall require the individual in charge of a 
vessel described in subsection (b) to keep a record 
of equipment maintenance, and required instruction 
and drills; and 
‘‘(2) shall examine at dockside a vessel de-
scribed in subsection (b) at least twice every 5 years, 
and shall issue a certificate of compliance to a vessel 
meeting the requirements of this chapter.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g)(1) The individual in charge of a vessel described 
in subsection (b) must pass a training program approved 
by the Secretary that meets the requirements in para-
graph (2) of this subsection and hold a valid certificate 
issued under that program. 
‘‘(2) The training program shall— 
‘‘(A) be based on professional knowledge and 
skill obtained through sea service and hands-on 
training, including training in seamanship, stability, 
collision prevention, navigation, fire fighting and 
prevention, damage control, personal survival, emer-
gency medical care, and weather; 
‘‘(B) require an individual to demonstrate abil-
ity to communicate in an emergency situation and 
understand information found in navigation publica-
tions; 
‘‘(C) recognize and give credit for recent past 
experience in fishing vessel operation; and 
‘‘(D) provide for issuance of a certificate to an 
individual that has successfully completed the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations imple-
menting this subsection. The regulations shall require that 
individuals who are issued a certificate under paragraph 
(2)(D) must complete refresher training at least once 
every 5 years as a condition of maintaining the validity 
of the certificate.
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall establish a publicly acces-
sible electronic database listing the names of individuals 
who have participated in and received a certificate con-
firming successful completion of a training program ap-
proved by the Secretary under this section. 
‘‘(h) A vessel to which this chapter applies shall be 
constructed in a manner that provides a level of safety 
equivalent to the minimum safety standards the Secretary 
may established for recreational vessels under section 
4302, if— 
‘‘(1) subsection (b) of this section applies to the 
vessel; 
‘‘(2) the vessel is less than 50 feet overall in 
length; and 
‘‘(3) the vessel is built after January 1, 2008. 
‘‘(i)(1) The Secretary shall establish a Fishing Safety 
Training Grants Program to provide funding to munici-
palities, port authorities, other appropriate public entities, 
not-for-profit organizations, and other qualified persons 
that provide commercial fishing safety training— 
‘‘(A) to conduct fishing vessel safety training 
for vessel operators and crewmembers that— 
‘‘(i) in the case of vessel operators, meets 
the requirements of subsection (g); and
‘‘(ii) in the case of crewmembers, meets 
the requirements of subsection (g)(2)(A), such 
requirements of subsection (g)(2)(B) as are ap-
propriate for crewmembers, and the require-
ments of subsections (g)(2)(D), (g)(3), and 
(g)(4); and 
‘‘(B) for purchase of safety equipment and 
training aids for use in those fishing vessel safety 
training programs. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this 
subsection on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity 
carried out with a grant under this subsection shall not 
exceed 75 percent. 
‘‘(4) There is authorized to be appropriated 
$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 
for grants under this subsection. 
‘‘(j)(1) The Secretary shall establish a Fishing Safety 
Research Grant Program to provide funding to individuals 
in academia, members of non-profit organizations and 
businesses involved in fishing and maritime matters, and 
other persons with expertise in fishing safety, to conduct 
research on methods of improving the safety of the com-
mercial fishing industry, including vessel design, emer-
gency and survival equipment, enhancement of vessel mon-
itoring systems, communications devices, de-icing tech-
nology, and severe weather detection. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall award grants under this 
subsection on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(3) The Federal share of the cost of any activity 
carried out with a grant under this subsection shall not 
exceed 75 percent.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 4506(b) of 
title 46, United States Code, is repealed. 
(c) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) CHANGE OF NAME.—Section 4508 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘§ 4508. Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Com-
mittee’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Industry 
Vessel’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tion at the beginning of chapter 45 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
relating to such section and inserting the following: 
‘‘4508. Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee.’’. 
(d) LOADLINES FOR VESSELS OVER 79 FEET.—Sec-
tion 5102(b)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed by inserting after ‘‘vessel’’ the following ‘‘, unless the 
vessel is built or undergoes a major conversion completed 
after January 1, 2008’’. 
(e) CLASSING OF VESSELS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 4503 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘§ 4503. Fishing, fish tender, and fish processing ves-
sel certification’’; 
(B) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘fish 
processing’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) This section applies to a vessel to which section 
4502(b) of this title applies that— 
‘‘(1) is at least 50 feet overall in length; 
‘‘(2) is built after January 1, 2008; or 
‘‘(3) undergoes a major conversion completed 
after that date. 
‘‘(d)(1) After January 1, 2018, a fishing vessel, fish 
processing vessel, or fish tender vessel to which section 
4502(b) of this title applies shall comply with an alternate 
safety compliance program that is developed in coopera-
tion with the commercial fishing industry and prescribed 
by the Secretary, if the vessel—
‘‘(A) is at least 50 feet overall in length; 
‘‘(B) is built before January 1, 2008; and 
‘‘(C) is 25 years of age or older. 
‘‘(2) Alternative safety compliance programs may be 
developed for purposes of paragraph (1) for specific re-
gions and fisheries. 
‘‘(3) A fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, or fish 
tender vessel to which section 4502(b) of this title applies 
that was classed before January 1, 2008, shall— 
‘‘(A) remain subject to the requirements of a 
classification society approved by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) have on board a certificate from that soci-
ety.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tion at the beginning of chapter 45 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
relating to such section and inserting the following: 
‘‘4503. Fishing, fish tender, and fish processing vessel certification.’’. 
(f) ALTERNATIVE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.— 
No later than January 1, 2015, the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall pre-
scribe an alternative safety compliance program referred 
to in section 4503(d) of the title 46, United States Code, 
as amended by this section.
SEC. 308. MARINER RECORDS. 
Section 7502 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a)’’ before ‘‘The’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘computerized records’’ and in-
serting ‘‘records, including electronic records,’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) The Secretary may prescribe regulations requir-
ing a vessel owner or managing operator of a commercial 
vessel, or the employer of a seaman on that vessel, to 
maintain records of each individual engaged on the vessel 
on matters of engagement, discharge, and service for not 
less than 5 years after the date of the completion of the 
service of that individual on the vessel. The regulations 
may require that a vessel owner, managing operator, or 
employer shall make these records available to the indi-
vidual and the Coast Guard on request. 
‘‘(c) A person violating this section, or a regulation 
prescribed under this section, is liable to the United States 
Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.’’. 
SEC. 309. DELETION OF EXEMPTION OF LICENSE REQUIRE-
MENT FOR OPERATORS OF CERTAIN TOWING 
VESSELS. 
Section 8905 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (b). 
SEC. 310. ADJUSTMENT OF LIABILITY LIMITS FOR NAT-
URAL GAS DEEPWATER PORTS. 
Section 1004(d)(2) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(33 U.S.C. 2704(d)(2)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(D) The Secretary may establish, by reg-
ulation, a limit of liability of not less than 
$12,000,000 for a deepwater port used only in 
connection with transportation of natural gas.’’. 
SEC. 311. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST 
OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND. 
Section 1012(h)(1) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(33 U.S.C. 2712(h)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘6’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3’’. 
SEC. 312. LOG BOOKS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 113 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 11304. Additional logbook and entry requirements 
‘‘(a) A vessel of the United States that is subject to 
inspection under section 3301 of this title, except a vessel 
on a voyage from a port in the United States to a port
in Canada, shall have an official logbook, which shall be 
kept available for review by the Secretary on request. 
‘‘(b) The log book required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following entries: 
‘‘(1) The time when each seaman and each offi-
cer assumed or relieved the watch. 
‘‘(2) The number of hours in service to the ves-
sels of each seaman and each officer. 
‘‘(3) An account of each accident, illness, and 
injury that occurs during each watch.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘11304. Additional logbook and entry requirements.’’. 
SEC. 313. UNSAFE OPERATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 21 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 2116. Termination for unsafe operation 
‘‘An individual authorized to enforce this title— 
‘‘(1) may remove a certificate required by this 
title from a vessel that is operating in a condition 
that does not comply with the provisions of the cer-
tificate; 
‘‘(2) may order the individual in charge of a 
vessel that is operating that does not have on board
the certificate required by this title to return the 
vessel to a mooring and to remain there until the 
vessel is in compliance with this title; and 
‘‘(3) may direct the individual in charge of a 
vessel to which this title applies to immediately take 
reasonable steps necessary for the safety of individ-
uals on board the vessel if the official observes the 
vessel being operated in an unsafe condition that the 
official believes creates an especially hazardous con-
dition, including ordering the individual in charge to 
return the vessel to a mooring and to remain there 
until the situation creating the hazard is corrected 
or ended.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of that title is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘2116. Termination for unsafe operation.’’. 
SEC. 314. APPROVAL OF SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 31 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 3104. Survival craft 
‘‘(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Sec-
retary may not approve a survival craft as a safety device 
for purposes of this part, unless the craft ensures that 
no part of an individual is immersed in water.