‘‘(c) OPINIONS REGARDING CAUSATION
OF ACCI-
DENT.—Following an aircraft accident referred to in sub-
section (a)— 
‘‘(1) if the evidence surrounding the accident is 
sufficient for the investigators who conduct the acci-
dent investigation to come to an opinion as to the 
cause or causes of the accident, the final report of the 
accident investigation shall set forth the opinion of 
the investigators as to the cause or causes of the acci-
dent; and 
‘‘(2) if the evidence surrounding the accident is 
not sufficient for the investigators to come to an opin-
ion as to the cause or causes of the accident, the final 
report of the accident investigation shall include a de-
scription of those factors, if any, that, in the opinion 
of the investigators, substantially contributed to or 
caused the accident. 
‘‘(d) USE OF INFORMATION IN CIVIL OR CRIMINAL 
PROCEEDINGS.—For purposes of any civil or criminal pro-
ceeding arising from an aircraft accident referred to in sub-
section (a), any opinion of the accident investigators as to 
the cause of, or the factors contributing to, the accident set 
forth in the accident investigation report may not be consid-
ered as evidence in such proceeding, nor may such report
be considered an admission of liability by the United States 
or by any person referred to in such report. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘accident investigation’ means any 
form of investigation by Coast Guard personnel of an 
aircraft accident referred to in subsection (a), other 
than a safety investigation; and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘safety investigation’ means an in-
vestigation by Coast Guard personnel of an aircraft 
accident referred to in subsection (a) that is con-
ducted solely to determine the cause of the accident 
and to obtain information that may prevent the oc-
currence of similar accidents.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
17 of title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘678. Aircraft accident investigations.’’. 
SEC. 215. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ENROLLMENT ELIGI-
BILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 823 of title 14, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 823. Eligibility; enrollments 
‘‘The Auxiliary shall be composed of nationals of the 
United States, as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immi-
gration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)), and 
aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, as de-
fined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20))— 
‘‘(1) who— 
‘‘(A) are owners, sole or part, of motorboats, 
yachts, aircraft, or radio stations; or 
‘‘(B) by reason of their special training or 
experience are deemed by the Commandant to be 
qualified for duty in the Auxiliary; and 
‘‘(2) who may be enrolled therein pursuant to 
applicable regulations.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
23 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 823 and inserting the following: 
‘‘823. Eligibility; enrollments.’’. 
SEC. 216. REPEALS. 
(a) DISTRICT OMBUDSMEN.—Section 55 of title 14, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for chapter 3 of such title, are repealed. 
(b) COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO AIDS TO AIR 
NAVIGATION.—Section 82 of title 14, United States Code, 
and the item relating to such section in the analysis for 
chapter 5 of such title, are repealed. 
(c) OCEAN STATIONS.—Section 90 of title 14, United 
States Code, and the item relating to such section in the 
analysis for chapter 5 of such title, are repealed.
(d) DETAIL OF MEMBERS TO ASSIST FOREIGN GOV-
ERNMENTS.—Section 149(a) of title 14, United States Code, 
is amended by striking the second and third sentences. 
(e) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—Section 193 of title 14, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for chapter 9 of such title, are repealed. 
(f) HISTORY FELLOWSHIPS.—Section 198 of title 14, 
United States Code, and the item relating to such section 
in the analysis for chapter 9 of such title, are repealed. 
SEC. 217. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 14. 
Title 14, United States Code, as amended by this Act, 
is further amended— 
(1) by amending chapter 1 to read as follows: 
‘‘CHAPTER 1—ESTABLISHMENT AND 
DUTIES 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘1. Establishment of Coast Guard. 
‘‘2. Primary duties. 
‘‘3. Department in which the Coast Guard operates. 
‘‘4. Secretary defined. 
‘‘§ 1. Establishment of Coast Guard 
‘‘The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall 
be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of 
the United States at all times. 
‘‘§ 2. Primary duties 
‘‘The Coast Guard shall— 
‘‘(1) enforce or assist in the enforcement of all 
applicable Federal laws on, under, and over the high
seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States; 
‘‘(2) engage in maritime air surveillance or 
interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of 
the laws of the United States; 
‘‘(3) administer laws and promulgate and en-
force regulations for the promotion of safety of life 
and property on and under the high seas and waters 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, cov-
ering all matters not specifically delegated by law to 
some other executive department; 
‘‘(4) develop, establish, maintain, and operate, 
with due regard to the requirements of national de-
fense, aids to maritime navigation, icebreaking facili-
ties, and rescue facilities for the promotion of safety 
on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States; 
‘‘(5) pursuant to international agreements, de-
velop, establish, maintain, and operate icebreaking fa-
cilities on, under, and over waters other than the high 
seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States; 
‘‘(6) engage in oceanographic research of the high 
seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States; and
‘‘(7) maintain a state of readiness to function as 
a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, in-
cluding the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone com-
mand responsibilities. 
‘‘§ 3. Department in which the Coast Guard operates 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Coast Guard shall be a service 
in the Department of Homeland Security, except when op-
erating as a service in the Navy. 
‘‘(b) TRANSFERS.—Upon the declaration of war if 
Congress so directs in the declaration or when the President 
directs, the Coast Guard shall operate as a service in the 
Navy, and shall so continue until the President, by Execu-
tive order, transfers the Coast Guard back to the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security. While operating as a service 
in the Navy, the Coast Guard shall be subject to the orders 
of the Secretary of the Navy, who may order changes in 
Coast Guard operations to render them uniform, to the ex-
tent such Secretary deems advisable, with Navy operations. 
‘‘(c) OPERATION AS A SERVICE IN THE NAVY.—When-
ever the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Navy— 
‘‘(1) applicable appropriations of the Navy De-
partment shall be available for the expense of the 
Coast Guard;
‘‘(2) applicable appropriations of the Coast 
Guard shall be available for transfer to the Navy De-
partment; 
‘‘(3) precedence between commissioned officers of 
corresponding grades in the Coast Guard and the 
Navy shall be determined by the date of rank stated 
by their commissions in those grades; 
‘‘(4) personnel of the Coast Guard shall be eligi-
ble to receive gratuities, medals, and other insignia of 
honor on the same basis as personnel in the naval 
service or serving in any capacity with the Navy; and 
‘‘(5) the Secretary may place on furlough any of-
ficer of the Coast Guard and officers on furlough shall 
receive one half of the pay to which they would be en-
titled if on leave of absence, but officers of the Coast 
Guard Reserve shall not be so placed on furlough. 
‘‘§ 4. Secretary defined 
‘‘In this title, the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of the respective department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating.’’; 
(2) in section 95(c), by striking ‘‘of Homeland 
Security’’; 
(3) in section 259(c)(1), by striking ‘‘After select-
ing’’ and inserting ‘‘In selecting’’;
(4) in section 286a(d), by striking ‘‘severance 
pay’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘separation 
pay’’; 
(5) in the second sentence of section 290(a), by 
striking ‘‘in the grade of vice admiral’’ and inserting 
‘‘in or above the grade of vice admiral’’; 
(6) in section 516(a), by striking ‘‘of Homeland 
Security’’; 
(7) by amending section 564 to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 564. Prohibition on use of lead systems integrators 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) USE OF LEAD SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR.—The 
Commandant may not use a private sector entity as 
a lead systems integrator. 
‘‘(2) FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.—The Com-
mandant shall use full and open competition for any 
acquisition contract unless otherwise excepted in ac-
cordance with Federal acquisition laws and regula-
tions promulgated under those laws, including the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation. 
‘‘(3) NO EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS ACT.— 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to super-
sede or otherwise affect the authorities provided by 
and under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et 
seq.).
‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON FINANCIAL INTEREST IN SUB-
CONTRACTORS.—Neither an entity performing lead systems 
integrator functions for a Coast Guard acquisition nor a 
Tier 1 subcontractor for any acquisition may have a finan-
cial interest in a subcontractor below the Tier 1 subcon-
tractor level unless— 
‘‘(1) the subcontractor was selected by the prime 
contractor through full and open competition for such 
procurement; 
‘‘(2) the procurement was awarded by an entity 
performing lead systems integrator functions or a 
subcontractor through full and open competition; 
‘‘(3) the procurement was awarded by a subcon-
tractor through a process over which the entity per-
forming lead systems integrator functions or a Tier 1 
subcontractor exercised no control; or 
‘‘(4) the Commandant has determined that the 
procurement was awarded in a manner consistent 
with Federal acquisition laws and regulations pro-
mulgated under those laws, including the Federal Ac-
quisition Regulation.’’; 
(8) in section 569(a), by striking ‘‘and annually 
thereafter,’’; 
(9) in the analysis for chapter 17—
(A) by striking the item relating to section 
669 and inserting the following: 
‘‘669. Telephone installation and charges.’’; and 
(B) by striking the item relating to section 
674 and inserting the following: 
‘‘674. Small boat station rescue capability.’’; 
(10) in section 666(a), by striking ‘‘of Homeland 
Security’’ and inserting ‘‘of the department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating’’; 
(11) in section 673(a)(3), by striking ‘‘of Home-
land Security (when the Coast Guard is not operating 
as a service in the Navy)’’; 
(12) in section 674, by striking ‘‘of Homeland 
Security’’; 
(13) in section 675(a), by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘may not’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary may not’’; and 
(14) in the first sentence of section 740(d), by 
striking ‘‘that appointment’’ and inserting ‘‘that ap-
pointment to the Reserve’’. 
SEC. 218. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE EXPEDITED HIRING 
AUTHORITY. 
Section 404 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 
2010 (Public Law 111–281; 124 Stat. 2950) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘as shortage 
category positions;’’ and inserting ‘‘as positions for
which there exists a shortage of candidates or there is 
a critical hiring need;’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph’’ and inserting 
‘‘section’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2012.’’ and inserting 
‘‘2015.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘section 562(d) 
of title 14, United States Code, as added by this 
title,’’ and inserting ‘‘section 569a of title 14, United 
States Code,’’. 
SEC. 219. RENEWAL OF TEMPORARY EARLY RETIREMENT 
AUTHORITY. 
For fiscal years 2013 through 2018— 
(1) notwithstanding subsection (c)(2)(A) of sec-
tion 4403 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1993 (10 U.S.C. 1293 note), such sec-
tion shall apply to the Coast Guard in the same man-
ner and to the same extent it applies to the Depart-
ment of Defense, except that— 
(A) the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall implement such section with respect to the 
Coast Guard and, for purposes of that implemen-
tation, shall apply the applicable provisions of
title 14, United States Code, relating to retire-
ment of Coast Guard personnel; and 
(B) the total number of commissioned offi-
cers who retire pursuant to this section may not 
exceed 200, and the total number of enlisted 
members who retire pursuant to this section may 
not exceed 300; and 
(2) only appropriations available for necessary 
expenses for the operation and maintenance of the 
Coast Guard shall be expended for the retired pay of 
personnel who retire pursuant to this section. 
SEC. 220. RESPONSE BOAT-MEDIUM PROCUREMENT. 
(a) REQUIREMENT TO FULFILL APPROVED PROGRAM 
OF RECORD.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard shall maintain the sched-
ule and requirements for the total acquisition of 180 boats 
as specified in the approved program of record for the Re-
sponse Boat-Medium acquisition program in effect on June 
1, 2012. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not apply on 
and after the date on which the Commandant submits to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate such documenta-
tion as the Coast Guard Major Systems Acquisition Manual
requires to justify reducing the approved program of record 
for Response Boat-Medium to a total acquisition of less 
than 180 boats. 
SEC. 221. NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) MULTIYEAR
AUTHORITY.—In fiscal year 
2013 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of 
the department in which the Coast Guard is oper-
ating may enter into, in accordance with section 
2306b of title 10, United States Code, a multiyear 
contract for the procurement of Coast Guard National 
Security Cutters and Government-furnished equip-
ment associated with the National Security Cutter 
program. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not enter 
into a contract under paragraph (1) until the date 
that is 30 days after the date the Secretary submits 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a certification that the Secretary has 
made, with respect to the contract, each of the find-
ings specified under section 2306b(a) of title 10, 
United States Code, and has done so in accordance 
with paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(3) DETERMINATION
OF
SUBSTANTIAL
SAV-
INGS.—For purposes of this section, in conducting an 
analysis with respect to substantial savings under sec-
tion 2306b(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, the 
Secretary— 
(A) may not limit the analysis to a simple 
percentage-based metric; and 
(B) shall employ a full-scale analysis of cost 
avoidance— 
(i) based on a multiyear procurement; 
and 
(ii) taking into account the potential 
benefit any accrued savings might have for 
future shipbuilding programs if the cost 
avoidance savings were subsequently uti-
lized for further ship construction. 
(b) CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE.—The Commandant of 
the Coast Guard may not certify a sixth National Security 
Cutter as Ready for Operations before the Commandant 
has— 
(1) submitted to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives program execution plans 
detailing—
(A) how the first 3 National Security Cut-
ters will achieve the goal of 225 days away from 
homeport in fiscal years following the completion 
of the Structural Enhancement Drydock Avail-
ability of the first 2 National Security Cutters; 
and 
(B) increased aerial coverage to support 
National Security Cutter operations; and 
(2) awarded a contract for detailed design and 
construction for the Offshore Patrol Cutter. 
SEC. 222. COAST GUARD POLAR ICEBREAKERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall conduct a business 
case analysis of the options for and costs of reactivating 
and extending the service life of the Polar Sea until at least 
September 30, 2022, to maintain United States polar 
icebreaking capabilities and fulfill the Coast Guard’s high 
latitude mission needs, as identified in the Coast Guard’s 
July 2010, High Latitude Study Mission Analysis Report, 
during the Coast Guard’s recapitalization of its polar class 
icebreaker fleet. The analysis shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the current condition of the 
Polar Sea; 
(2) a determination of the Polar Sea’s oper-
ational capabilities with respect to fulfilling the Coast
Guard’s high latitude operating requirements if ren-
ovated and reactivated; 
(3) a detailed estimate of costs with respect to re-
activating and extending the service life of the Polar 
Sea; 
(4) a life cycle cost estimate with respect to oper-
ating and maintaining the Polar Sea for the duration 
of its extended service life; and 
(5) a determination of whether it is cost-effective 
to reactivate the Polar Sea compared with other op-
tions to provide icebreaking services as part of a 
strategy to maintain polar icebreaking services. 
(b) RESTRICTIONS.—The Secretary shall not remove 
any part of the Polar Sea until the Secretary submits the 
analysis required under subsection (a). 
(c) DEADLINE.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, 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 the analysis re-
quired under subsection (a). 
(d) REQUIREMENT
FOR REACTIVATION
OF POLAR 
SEA.— 
(1) SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION PLAN.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary deter-
mines based on the analysis required under sub-
section (a) that it is cost-effective to reactivate 
the Polar Sea compared with other options to 
provide icebreaking services, the Secretary shall 
develop a service life extension plan for such re-
activation, including a timetable for such reac-
tivation. 
(B) 
UTILIZATION
OF
EXISTING
RE-
SOURCES.—In the development of the plan re-
quired under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
shall utilize to the greatest extent practicable re-
cent plans, studies, assessments, and analyses re-
garding the Coast Guard’s icebreakers and high 
latitude mission needs and operating require-
ments. 
(C) SUBMISSION.—The Secretary shall sub-
mit the plan required under subparagraph (A), 
if so required, to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
later than 180 days after the submission of the 
analysis required under subsection (a).
(2) DECOMMISSIONING; BRIDGING STRATEGY.—If 
the analysis required under subsection (a) is sub-
mitted in accordance with subsection (c) and the Sec-
retary determines under subsection (a)(5) that it is 
not cost-effective to reactivate the Polar Sea, then not 
later than 180 days after the date on which the anal-
ysis is required to be submitted under subsection (c) 
the Commandant of the Coast Guard— 
(A) may decommission the Polar Sea; and 
(B) shall submit a bridging strategy for 
maintaining the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking 
services until at least September 30, 2022, to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(e) RESTRICTION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(d), the Commandant of the Coast Guard may not— 
(1) transfer, relinquish ownership of, dismantle, 
or recycle the Polar Sea or Polar Star; 
(2) change the current homeport of either of the 
vessels; or 
(3) expend any funds— 
(A) for any expenses directly or indirectly 
associated with the decommissioning of either of
the vessels, including expenses for dock use or 
other goods and services; 
(B) for any personnel expenses directly or 
indirectly associated with the decommissioning 
of either of the vessels, including expenses for a 
decommissioning officer; 
(C) for any expenses associated with a de-
commissioning ceremony for either of the vessels; 
(D) to appoint a decommissioning officer to 
be affiliated with either of the vessels; or 
(E) to place either of the vessels in inactive 
status. 
(f) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘Polar Sea’’ means Coast Guard 
Cutter Polar Sea (WAGB 11); and 
(2) the term ‘‘Polar Star’’ means Coast Guard 
Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10). 
(g) REPEAL.—This section shall cease to have effect on 
September 30, 2022.
TITLE III—SHIPPING AND 
NAVIGATION 
SEC. 301. IDENTIFICATION OF ACTIONS TO ENABLE QUALI-
FIED UNITED STATES FLAG CAPACITY TO 
MEET NATIONAL DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 501(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘When the head’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—When the head’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATIONS.—The Maritime Admin-
istrator shall— 
‘‘(A) for each determination referred to in 
paragraph (1), identify any actions that could be 
taken to enable qualified United States flag ca-
pacity to meet national defense requirements; 
‘‘(B) provide notice of each such determina-
tion to the Secretary of Transportation and the 
head of the agency referred to in paragraph (1) 
for which the determination is made; and 
‘‘(C) publish each such determination on the 
Internet Web site of the Department of Transpor-
tation not later than 48 hours after notice of the
determination is provided to the Secretary of 
Transportation. 
‘‘(3) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The head of an agency 
referred to in paragraph (1) shall notify the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate— 
‘‘(i) of any request for a waiver of the 
navigation or vessel-inspection laws under 
this section not later than 48 hours after re-
ceiving such a request; and 
‘‘(ii) of the issuance of any such waiver 
not later than 48 hours after such issuance. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—Such head of an agency 
shall include in each notification under subpara-
graph (A)(ii) an explanation of— 
‘‘(i) the reasons the waiver is nec-
essary; and 
‘‘(ii) the reasons actions referred to in 
paragraph (2)(A) are not feasible.’’.
SEC. 302. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR NON-FEDERAL 
VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE OPERATORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2307 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking the section designation and head-
ing and inserting the following: 
‘‘§ 2307. Limitation of liability for Coast Guard Vessel 
Traffic Service pilots and non-Federal 
vessel traffic service operators’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘Any pilot’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) COAST GUARD VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE PI-
LOTS.—Any pilot’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) NON-FEDERAL VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE OPERA-
TORS.—An entity operating a non-Federal vessel traffic in-
formation service or advisory service pursuant to a duly 
executed written agreement with the Coast Guard, and any 
pilot acting on behalf of such entity, is not liable for dam-
ages caused by or related to information, advice, or commu-
nication assistance provided by such entity or pilot while 
so operating or acting unless the acts or omissions of such 
entity or pilot constitute gross negligence or willful mis-
conduct.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
23 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 2307 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘2307. Limitation of liability for Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service pilots and 
non-Federal vessel traffic service operators.’’. 
SEC. 303. SURVIVAL CRAFT. 
Section 3104 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘January 1, 
2015’’ and inserting ‘‘the date that is 30 months after 
the date on which the report described in subsection 
(c) is submitted’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the carriage of survival 
craft that ensures no part of an individual is immersed in 
water, which shall include— 
‘‘(1) the number of casualties, by vessel type and 
area of operation, as the result of immersion in water 
reported to the Coast Guard for each of fiscal years 
1991 through 2011; 
‘‘(2) the effect the carriage of such survival craft 
has on—
‘‘(A) vessel safety, including stability and 
safe navigation; and 
‘‘(B) survivability of individuals, including 
persons with disabilities, children, and the elder-
ly; 
‘‘(3) the efficacy of alternative safety systems, de-
vices, or measures; 
‘‘(4) the cost and cost effectiveness of requiring 
the carriage of such survival craft on vessels; and 
‘‘(5) the number of small businesses and non-
profit entities that would be affected by requiring the 
carriage of such survival craft on vessels.’’. 
SEC. 304. CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES. 
Section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (A); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (B) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) if the Secretary of State determines that the 
foreign classification society does not provide com-
parable services in or for a state sponsor of ter-
rorism.’’;
(2) in subsection (d)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (A); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (B) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) the Secretary of State determines that the 
foreign classification society does not provide com-
parable services in or for a state sponsor of ter-
rorism.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) The Secretary shall revoke a delegation made to 
a classification society under subsection (b) or (d) if the 
Secretary of State determines that the classification society 
provides comparable services in or for a state sponsor of 
terrorism. 
‘‘(f) In this section, the term ‘state sponsor of ter-
rorism’ means any country the government of which the 
Secretary of State has determined has repeatedly provided 
support for acts of international terrorism pursuant to sec-
tion 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as con-
tinued in effect under the International Emergency Eco-
nomic Powers Act), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, 
or any other provision of law.’’.
SEC. 305. DOCKSIDE EXAMINATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4502(f) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘at least once every 2 years’’ 
and inserting ‘‘at least once every 5 years’’; and 
(B) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) shall complete the first dockside examina-
tion of a vessel under this subsection not later than 
October 15, 2015.’’. 
(b) DATABASE.—Section 4502(g)(4) of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘a publicly accessible’’ 
and inserting ‘‘an’’. 
(c) CERTIFICATION.—Section 4503 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘July 1, 2012.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘July 1, 2013.’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘July 
1, 2012;’’ and inserting ‘‘July 1, 2013;’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(i) by striking ‘‘July 1, 2012,’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘July 1, 
2013,’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘substantial change to 
the dimension of or type of vessel’’ and in-
serting ‘‘major conversion’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) For the purposes of this section, the term ‘built’ 
means, with respect to a vessel, that the vessel’s construction 
has reached any of the following stages: 
‘‘(1) The vessel’s keel is laid. 
‘‘(2) Construction identifiable with the vessel has 
begun and assembly of that vessel has commenced 
comprising of at least 50 metric tons or one percent 
of the estimated mass of all structural material, 
whichever is less.’’. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 51 of title 
46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 5102(b)(3), by striking ‘‘July 1, 
2012.’’ and inserting ‘‘July 1, 2013.’’; and 
(2) in section 5103(c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘July 1, 2012,’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘July 1, 2013,’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘substantial change to the 
dimension of or type of the vessel’’ and inserting 
‘‘major conversion’’. 
SEC. 306. AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF MED-
ICAL CERTIFICATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 7508. Authority to extend the duration of medical 
certificates 
‘‘(a) GRANTING
OF EXTENSIONS.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary may extend for 
not more than one year a medical certificate issued to an 
individual holding a license, merchant mariner’s document, 
or certificate of registry issued under chapter 71 or 73 if 
the Secretary determines that the extension is required to 
enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing 
applications for medical certificates or is in response to a 
national emergency or natural disaster. 
‘‘(b) MANNER OF EXTENSION.—An extension under 
this section may be granted to individual seamen or a spe-
cifically identified group of seamen.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘7508. Authority to extend the duration of medical certificates.’’.
SEC. 307. CLARIFICATION OF RESTRICTIONS ON AMERICAN 
FISHERIES ACT VESSELS. 
Section 12113(d)(2) of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘that the regional’’ and in-
serting the following: ‘‘that— 
‘‘(i) the regional’’; 
(B) by striking the semicolon and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a vessel listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (20) of section 
208(e) of the American Fisheries Act (title 
II of division C of Public Law 105–277; 
112 Stat. 2681–625 et seq.), the vessel is 
neither participating in nor eligible to par-
ticipate in the non–AFA trawl catcher proc-
essor subsector (as that term is defined 
under section 219(a)(7) of the Department 
of Commerce and Related Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–447; 
118 Stat. 2887));’’; and 
(2) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(C) the vessel—
‘‘(i) is either a rebuilt vessel or replace-
ment vessel under section 208(g) of the 
American Fisheries Act (title II of division 
C of Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681– 
627); 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for a fishery endorse-
ment under this section; and 
‘‘(iii) in the case of a vessel listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (20) of section 
208(e) of the American Fisheries Act (title 
II of division C of Public Law 105–277; 
112 Stat. 2681–625 et seq.), is neither par-
ticipating in nor eligible to participate in 
the non–AFA trawl catcher processor sub-
sector (as that term is defined under section 
219(a)(7) of the Department of Commerce 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
2005 (Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 
2887); or’’. 
SEC. 308. INVESTIGATIONS BY SECRETARY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 121 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 12139 
the following:
‘‘§ 12140. Investigations by Secretary 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may conduct inves-
tigations and inspections regarding compliance with this 
chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of any in-
vestigation conducted under this section, the Secretary 
may issue a subpoena to require the attendance of a 
witness or the production of documents or other evi-
dence relevant to the matter under investigation if— 
‘‘(A) before the issuance of the subpoena, the 
Secretary requests a determination by the Attor-
ney General as to whether the subpoena— 
‘‘(i) is reasonable; and 
‘‘(ii) will interfere with a criminal in-
vestigation; and 
‘‘(B) the Attorney General— 
‘‘(i) determines that the subpoena is 
reasonable and will not interfere with a 
criminal investigation; or 
‘‘(ii) fails to make a determination 
with respect to the subpoena before the date 
that is 30 days after the date on which the 
Secretary makes a request under subpara-
graph (A) with respect to the subpoena.
‘‘(2) ENFORCEMENT.—In the case of a refusal to 
obey a subpoena issued to any person under this sec-
tion, the Secretary may invoke the aid of the appro-
priate district court of the United States to compel 
compliance.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
121 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 12139 the following: 
‘‘12140. Investigations by Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 309. PENALTIES. 
Section 12151(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A person that violates’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) CIVIL PENALTIES.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), a person that violates’’; 
(2) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$10,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$15,000’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES INVOLVING MOBILE OFFSHORE 
DRILLING
UNITS.—A person that violates section 
12111(d) or a regulation prescribed under that section 
is liable to the United States Government for a civil 
penalty in an amount that is $25,000 or twice the 
charter rate of the vessel involved in the violation (as 
determined by the Secretary), whichever is greater.
Each day of a continuing violation is a separate vio-
lation.’’. 
SEC. 310. UNITED STATES COMMITTEE ON THE MARINE 
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 555 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 55502. United States Committee on the Marine 
Transportation System 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a United 
States Committee on the Marine Transportation System (in 
this section referred to as the ‘Committee’). 
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The Committee shall serve as a Fed-
eral interagency coordinating committee for the purpose 
of— 
‘‘(1) assessing the adequacy of the marine trans-
portation system (including ports, waterways, chan-
nels, and their intermodal connections); 
‘‘(2) promoting the integration of the marine 
transportation system with other modes of transpor-
tation and other uses of the marine environment; and 
‘‘(3) coordinating, improving the coordination 
of, and making recommendations with regard to Fed-
eral policies that impact the marine transportation 
system. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall consist 
of— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary of Transportation; 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(C) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
‘‘(D) the Secretary of Commerce; 
‘‘(E) the Secretary of the Treasury; 
‘‘(F) the Secretary of State; 
‘‘(G) the Secretary of the Interior; 
‘‘(H) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
‘‘(I) the Attorney General; 
‘‘(J) the Secretary of Labor; 
‘‘(K) the Secretary of Energy; 
‘‘(L) the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency; 
‘‘(M) the Chairman of the Federal Maritime 
Commission; 
‘‘(N) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff; and 
‘‘(O) the head of any other Federal agency 
who a majority of the voting members of the 
Committee determines can further the purpose 
and activities of the Committee. 
‘‘(2) NONVOTING
MEMBERS.—The Committee 
may include as many nonvoting members as a major-
ity of the voting members of the Committee deter-
mines is appropriate to further the purpose and ac-
tivities of the Committee. 
‘‘(d) SUPPORT.— 
‘‘(1) COORDINATING BOARD.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There is hereby estab-
lished, within the Committee, a Coordinating 
Board. Each member of the Committee may se-
lect a senior level representative to serve on such 
Board. The Board shall assist the Committee in 
carrying out its purpose and activities. 
‘‘(B) CHAIR.—There shall be a Chair of the 
Coordinating Board. The Chair of the Coordi-
nating Board shall rotate each year among the 
Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of De-
fense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and 
the Secretary of Commerce. The order of rotation 
shall be determined by a majority of the voting 
members of the Committee. 
‘‘(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Secretary of 
Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the 
Secretary of Commerce, shall appoint an Executive 
Director of the Committee.
‘‘(3) TRANSFERS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the head of a Federal department or 
agency who is a member of the Committee may— 
‘‘(A) provide, on a reimbursable or nonre-
imbursable basis, facilities, equipment, services, 
personnel, and other support services to carry 
out the activities of the Committee; and 
‘‘(B) transfer funds to another Federal de-
partment or agency in order to carry out the ac-
tivities of the Committee. 
‘‘(e) MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ASSESSMENT 
AND STRATEGY.—Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, the Com-
mittee shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Envi-
ronment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report that includes— 
‘‘(1) steps taken to implement actions rec-
ommended in the document titled ‘National Strategy 
for the Marine Transportation System: A Framework 
for Action’ and dated July 2008; 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the condition of the marine 
transportation system;
‘‘(3) a discussion of the challenges the marine 
transportation system faces in meeting user demand, 
including estimates of investment levels required to 
ensure system infrastructure meets such demand; 
‘‘(4) a plan, with recommended actions, for im-
proving the marine transportation system to meet 
current and future challenges; and 
‘‘(5) steps taken to implement actions rec-
ommended in previous reports required under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(f) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out its purpose and 
activities, the Committee may consult with marine trans-
portation system-related advisory committees, interested 
parties, and the public.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
555 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘55502. United States Committee on the Marine Transportation System.’’. 
SEC. 311. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO TITLE 46. 
Section 7507(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘73’’ each place it appears and insert-
ing ‘‘71’’. 
SEC. 312. DEEPWATER PORTS. 
Section 3(9)(A) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 
U.S.C. 1502(9)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or from’’ be-
fore ‘‘any State’’.
TITLE IV—MARITIME ADMINIS-
TRATION AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Maritime Administra-
tion Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013’’. 
SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NA-
TIONAL SECURITY ASPECTS OF THE MER-
CHANT MARINE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013. 
Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fis-
cal year 2013, to be available without fiscal year limitation 
if so provided in appropriations Acts, for the use of the De-
partment of Transportation for Maritime Administration 
programs associated with maintaining national security 
aspects of the merchant marine, as follows: 
(1) For expenses necessary for operations of the 
United 
States 
Merchant 
Marine 
Academy, 
$77,253,000, of which— 
(A) $67,253,000 shall remain available 
until expended for Academy operations; and 
(B) $10,000,000 shall remain available 
until expended for capital asset management at 
the Academy. 
(2) For expenses necessary to support the State 
maritime academies, $16,045,000, of which—
(A) $2,400,000 shall remain available until 
expended for student incentive payments; 
(B) $2,545,000 shall remain available until 
expended for direct payments to such academies; 
and 
(C) $11,100,000 shall remain available 
until expended for maintenance and repair of 
State maritime academy training vessels. 
(3) For expenses necessary to dispose of vessels in 
the National Defense Reserve Fleet, $12,717,000, to 
remain available until expended. 
(4) For expenses to maintain and preserve a 
United States-flag merchant marine to serve the na-
tional security needs of the United States under chap-
ter 531 of title 46, United States Code, $186,000,000. 
(5) For the cost (as defined in section 502(5) of 
the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 
661a(5))) of loan guarantees under the program au-
thorized by chapter 537 of title 46, United States 
Code, $3,750,000, all of which shall remain available 
until expended for administrative expenses of the pro-
gram.
SEC. 403. MARITIME ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 503 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 50307. Maritime environmental and technical as-
sistance program 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may engage in the environmental study, research, develop-
ment, assessment, and deployment of emerging marine tech-
nologies and practices related to the marine transportation 
system through the use of public vessels under the control 
of the Maritime Administration or private vessels under 
United States registry, and through partnerships and coop-
erative efforts with academic, public, private, and non-
governmental entities and facilities. 
‘‘(b) COMPONENTS.—Under this section, the Secretary 
of Transportation may— 
‘‘(1) identify, study, evaluate, test, demonstrate, 
or improve emerging marine technologies and prac-
tices that are likely to achieve environmental im-
provements by— 
‘‘(A) reducing air emissions, water emis-
sions, or other ship discharges; 
‘‘(B) increasing fuel economy or the use of 
alternative fuels and alternative energy (includ-
ing the use of shore power); or
‘‘(C) controlling aquatic invasive species; 
and 
‘‘(2) coordinate with the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, the Coast Guard, and other Federal, 
State, local, or tribal agencies, as appropriate. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—Coordination under subsection 
(b)(2) may include— 
‘‘(1) activities that are associated with the devel-
opment or approval of validation and testing regimes; 
and 
‘‘(2) certification or validation of emerging tech-
nologies or practices that demonstrate significant en-
vironmental benefits. 
‘‘(d) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may accept gifts, or enter into cooperative agreements, con-
tracts, or other agreements with academic, public, private, 
and nongovernmental entities and facilities to carry out the 
activities authorized under subsection (a).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 503 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 50306 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘50307. Maritime environmental and technical assistance program.’’. 
SEC. 404. PROPERTY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES. 
Section 51103(b) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended—
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘SUR-
PLUS’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may cooperate 
with and assist the institutions named in paragraph 
(2) by making vessels, fuel, shipboard equipment, and 
other marine equipment, owned by the United States 
Government and determined by the entity having cus-
tody and control of such property to be excess or sur-
plus, available to those institutions for instructional 
purposes, by gift, loan, sale, lease, or charter on terms 
and conditions the Secretary considers appropriate. 
The consent of the Secretary of the Navy shall be ob-
tained with respect to any property from National 
Defense Reserve Fleet vessels, if such vessels are either 
Ready Reserve Force vessels or other National Defense 
Reserve Fleet vessels determined to be of sufficient 
value to the Navy to warrant their further preserva-
tion and retention.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘or a 
training institution that is an instrumentality of a 
State, the District of Columbia, a territory or posses-
sion of the United States, or a unit of local govern-
ment thereof’’ after ‘‘a nonprofit training institu-
tion’’. 
SEC. 405. SHORT SEA TRANSPORTATION. 
(a) PURPOSE.—Section 55601 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘landside con-
gestion.’’ and inserting ‘‘landside congestion or to 
promote short sea transportation.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘coastal cor-
ridors’’ and inserting ‘‘coastal corridors or to promote 
short sea transportation’’; 
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘that the 
project may’’ and all that follows through the end of 
the subsection and inserting ‘‘that the project uses 
documented vessels and— 
‘‘(1) mitigates landside congestion; or 
‘‘(2) promotes short sea transportation.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘shall’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘may’’. 
(b) DOCUMENTATION.—Section 55605 is amended in 
the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘by vessel’’ 
and inserting ‘‘by a documented vessel’’.
SEC. 406. LIMITATION OF NATIONAL DEFENSE RESERVE 
FLEET VESSELS TO THOSE OVER 1,500 GROSS 
TONS. 
Section 57101(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘of 1,500 gross tons or more or such 
other vessels as the Secretary of Transportation determines 
are appropriate’’ after ‘‘Administration’’. 
SEC. 407. TRANSFER OF VESSELS TO THE NATIONAL DE-
FENSE RESERVE FLEET. 
Section 57101 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) AUTHORITY OF FEDERAL ENTITIES TO TRANS-
FER VESSELS.—All Federal entities are authorized to 
transfer vessels to the National Defense Reserve Fleet with-
out reimbursement subject to the approval of the Secretary 
of Transportation and the Secretary of the Navy with re-
spect to Ready Reserve Force vessels and the Secretary of 
Transportation with respect to all other vessels.’’. 
SEC. 408. CLARIFICATION OF HEADING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The section designation and head-
ing for section 57103 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 57103. Donation of nonretention vessels in the Na-
tional Defense Reserve Fleet’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
571 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 57103 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘57103. Donation of nonretention vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet.’’. 
SEC. 409. MISSION OF THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION. 
Section 109(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading by striking ‘‘ORGA-
NIZATION’’ and inserting ‘‘ORGANIZATION AND MIS-
SION’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘The mis-
sion of the Maritime Administration is to foster, pro-
mote, and develop the merchant maritime industry of 
the United States.’’. 
SEC. 410. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL DE-
FENSE RESERVE FLEET. 
Subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of section 11(c)(1) 
of the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 (50 U.S.C. App. 
1744(c)(1)) are amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) activate and conduct sea trials on each 
vessel at a frequency that is considered by the 
Secretary to be necessary; 
‘‘(C) maintain and adequately crew, as nec-
essary, in an enhanced readiness status those 
vessels that are scheduled to be activated in 5 or 
less days;
‘‘(D) locate those vessels that are scheduled 
to be activated near embarkation ports specified 
for those vessels; and’’. 
SEC. 411. REQUIREMENT FOR BARGE DESIGN. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Maritime Administra-
tion shall complete the design for a containerized, articu-
lated barge, as identified in the dual-use vessel study car-
ried out by the Administrator and the Secretary of Defense, 
that is able to utilize roll-on/roll-off or load-on/load-off tech-
nology in marine highway maritime commerce. 
SEC. 412. CONTAINER-ON-BARGE TRANSPORTATION. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator of the Maritime 
Administration shall assess the potential for using con-
tainer-on-barge transportation in short sea transportation 
(as such term is defined in section 55605 of title 46, United 
States Code). 
(b) FACTORS.—In conducting the assessment under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider— 
(1) the environmental benefits of increasing con-
tainer-on-barge movements in short sea transpor-
tation; 
(2) the regional differences in the use of short sea 
transportation;
(3) the existing programs established at coastal 
and Great Lakes ports for establishing awareness of 
deep sea shipping operations; 
(4) the mechanisms necessary to ensure that im-
plementation of a plan under subsection (c) will not 
be inconsistent with antitrust laws; and 
(5) the potential frequency of container-on-barge 
service at short sea transportation ports. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The assessment under sub-
section (a) may include recommendations for a plan to in-
crease awareness of the potential for use of container-on- 
barge transportation. 
(d) DEADLINE.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
the assessment required under this section to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 413. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NATIONAL STRATEGIC 
PORTS STUDY AND COMPTROLLER GENERAL 
STUDIES 
AND 
REPORTS 
ON 
STRATEGIC 
PORTS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMPLETION OF DOD 
REPORT.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
Defense should expedite completion of the study of strategic
ports in the United States called for in the conference report 
to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2012 (Conference Report 112–329) so that it 
can be submitted to Congress before July 1, 2013. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT TO COMPTROLLER GEN-
ERAL.—In addition to submitting the report referred to in 
subsection (a) to Congress, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit the report to the Comptroller General of the United 
States for consideration under subsection (c). 
(c) COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 
ON STRATEGIC PORTS.— 
(1) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later 
than 90 days after receipt of the report referred to in 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall conduct 
an assessment of the report and submit to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate a report of such assessment. 
(2) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL
STUDY
AND
RE-
PORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
conduct a study of the Department of Defense’s pro-
grams and efforts related to the state of strategic ports 
with respect to the Department’s operational and 
readiness requirements, and report to the Committee
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate 
on the findings of such study. The report may include 
an assessment of— 
(A) the extent to which the facilities at stra-
tegic ports meet the Department of Defense’s re-
quirements; 
(B) the extent to which the Department has 
identified gaps in the ability of existing strategic 
ports to meet its needs and identified and under-
taken efforts to address any gaps; and 
(C) the Department’s ability to oversee, co-
ordinate, and provide security for military de-
ployments through strategic ports. 
(d) STRATEGIC PORT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘strategic port’’ means a United States port des-
ignated by the Secretary of Defense as a significant trans-
portation hub important to the readiness and cargo 
throughput capacity of the Department of Defense. 
SEC. 414. MARITIME WORKFORCE STUDY. 
(a) TRAINING STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the training needs 
of the maritime workforce. 
(b) STUDY COMPONENTS.—The study shall—
(1) analyze the impact of maritime training re-
quirements imposed by domestic and international 
regulations and conventions, companies, and govern-
ment agencies that charter or operate vessels; 
(2) evaluate the ability of the United States mar-
itime training infrastructure to meet the needs of the 
maritime industry; 
(3) identify trends in maritime training; 
(4) compare the training needs of United States 
mariners with the vocational training and edu-
cational assistance programs available from Federal 
agencies to evaluate the ability of Federal programs 
to meet the training needs of United States mariners; 
(5) include recommendations to enhance the ca-
pabilities of the United States maritime training in-
frastructure; and 
(6) include recommendations to assist United 
States mariners and those entering the maritime pro-
fession to achieve the required training. 
(c) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit a report on the results of the study to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 415. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION VESSEL RECYCLING 
CONTRACT AWARD PRACTICES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct an assessment of the source se-
lection procedures and practices used to award the Mari-
time Administration’s National Defense Reserve Fleet vessel 
recycling contracts. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The assessment under subsection (a) 
shall include a review of— 
(1) whether the Maritime Administration’s con-
tract source selection procedures and practices are 
consistent with law, including the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation, and Federal best practices associated with 
making source selection decisions; 
(2) the process, procedures, and practices used 
for the Maritime Administration’s qualification of 
vessel recycling facilities; and 
(3) any other aspect of the Maritime Adminis-
tration’s vessel recycling process that the Comptroller 
General deems appropriate to review. 
(c) FINDINGS.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall re-
port the findings of the assessment under subsection (a) to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Represent-
atives. 
TITLE V—PIRACY 
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Piracy Suppression Act 
of 2012’’. 
SEC. 502. TRAINING FOR USE OF FORCE AGAINST PIRACY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 517 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 51705. Training for use of force against piracy 
‘‘The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall cer-
tify a training curriculum for United States mariners on 
the use of force against pirates. The curriculum shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(1) information on waters designated as high- 
risk waters by the Commandant of the Coast Guard; 
‘‘(2) information on current threats and patterns 
of attack by pirates; 
‘‘(3) tactics for defense of a vessel, including in-
struction on the types, use, and limitations of security 
equipment; 
‘‘(4) standard rules for the use of force for self- 
defense as developed by the Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating under 
section 912(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act 
of 2010 (Public Law 111–281; 46 U.S.C. 8107 note), 
including instruction on firearm safety for crew-
members of vessels carrying cargo under section 
55305 of this title; and 
‘‘(5) procedures to follow to improve crewmember 
survivability if captured and taken hostage by pi-
rates.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE.—The Secretary of Transportation shall 
certify the curriculum required under the amendment made 
by subsection (a) not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
517 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘51705. Training program for use of force against piracy.’’. 
SEC. 503. SECURITY OF GOVERNMENT-IMPELLED CARGO. 
Section 55305 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) SECURITY OF GOVERNMENT-IMPELLED CARGO.— 
‘‘(1) In order to ensure the safety of vessels and 
crewmembers transporting equipment, materials, or 
commodities under this section, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall direct each department or agen-
cy (except the Department of Defense), when respon-
sible for the carriage of such equipment, materials, or 
commodities, to provide armed personnel aboard ves-
sels of the United States carrying such equipment, 
materials, or commodities if the vessels are transiting 
high-risk waters. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall direct 
each department or agency responsible to provide 
armed personnel under paragraph (1) to reimburse, 
subject to the availability of appropriations, the own-
ers or operators of applicable vessels for the cost of 
providing armed personnel. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘high-risk 
waters’ means waters so designated by the Com-
mandant of the Coast Guard in the Port Security Ad-
visory in effect on the date on which an applicable 
voyage begins.’’. 
SEC. 504. ACTIONS TAKEN TO PROTECT FOREIGN-FLAGGED 
VESSELS FROM PIRACY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating, shall provide to the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate a report on actions taken 
by the Secretary of Defense to protect foreign-flagged vessels 
from acts of piracy on the high seas. The report shall in-
clude— 
(1) the total number of incidents for each of the 
fiscal years 2009 through 2012 in which a member of 
the armed services or an asset under the control of the 
Secretary of Defense was used to interdict or defend 
against an act of piracy directed against any vessel 
not documented under the laws of the United States; 
and 
(2) the estimated cost for each of the fiscal years 
2009 through 2012 for such incidents. 
TITLE VI—MARINE DEBRIS 
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Marine Debris Act 
Amendments of 2012’’. 
SEC. 602. SHORT TITLE AMENDMENT; REFERENCES. 
(a) SHORT TITLE AMENDMENT.—Section 1 of the Ma-
rine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 
U.S.C. 1951 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Research, Pre-
vention, and Reduction’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Except as otherwise expressly pro-
vided, whenever in this title an amendment is expressed as 
an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference
shall be considered to be made to a section or other provi-
sion of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.), as 
so retitled by subsection (a) of this section. 
SEC. 603. PURPOSE. 
Section 2 (33 U.S.C. 1951) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
‘‘The purpose of this Act is to address the adverse im-
pacts of marine debris on the United States economy, the 
marine environment, and navigation safety through the 
identification, determination of sources, assessment, preven-
tion, reduction, and removal of marine debris.’’. 
SEC. 604. NOAA MARINE DEBRIS PROGRAM. 
(a) NAME OF PROGRAM.—Section 3 (33 U.S.C. 1952) 
is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘PREVEN-
TION AND REMOVAL’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Prevention and Removal 
Program to reduce and prevent the occurrence 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘Program to identify, deter-
mine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and re-
move marine debris and address the’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘the economy of the United 
States,’’ after ‘‘marine debris on’’; and
(C) by inserting a comma after ‘‘environ-
ment’’. 
(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—Section 3(b) (33 U.S.C. 
1952(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—The Administrator, 
acting through the Program and subject to the availability 
of appropriations, shall— 
‘‘(1) identify, determine sources of, assess, pre-
vent, reduce, and remove marine debris, with a focus 
on marine debris posing a threat to living marine re-
sources and navigation safety; 
‘‘(2) provide national and regional coordination 
to assist States, Indian tribes, and regional organiza-
tions in the identification, determination of sources, 
assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of ma-
rine debris; 
‘‘(3) undertake efforts to reduce the adverse im-
pacts of lost and discarded fishing gear on living ma-
rine resources and navigation safety, including— 
‘‘(A) research and development of alter-
natives to gear posing threats to the marine en-
vironment and methods for marking gear used in 
certain fisheries to enhance the tracking, recov-
ery, and identification of lost and discarded 
gear; and
‘‘(B) the development of effective nonregula-
tory measures and incentives to cooperatively re-
duce the volume of lost and discarded fishing 
gear and to aid in gear recovery; 
‘‘(4) undertake outreach and education activities 
for the public and other stakeholders on sources of 
marine debris, threats associated with marine debris, 
and approaches to identifying, determining sources of, 
assessing, preventing, reducing, and removing marine 
debris and its adverse impacts on the United States 
economy, the marine environment, and navigation 
safety, including outreach and education activities 
through public-private initiatives; and 
‘‘(5) develop, in consultation with the Inter-
agency Committee, interagency plans for the timely 
response to events determined by the Administrator to 
be severe marine debris events, including plans to— 
‘‘(A) coordinate across agencies and with 
relevant State, tribal, and local governments to 
ensure adequate, timely, and efficient response; 
‘‘(B) assess the composition, volume, and 
trajectory of marine debris associated with a se-
vere marine debris event; and 
‘‘(C) estimate the potential impacts of a se-
vere marine debris event, including economic im-
pacts on human health, navigation safety, nat-
ural resources, tourism, and livestock, including 
aquaculture.’’. 
(c) GRANT CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES.—Section 3(c) 
(33 U.S.C. 1952(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 2(1)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 2’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (5); and 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as 
paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively. 
(d) REPEAL.—Section 2204 of the Marine Plastic Pol-
lution Research and Control Act of 1987 (33 U.S.C. 1915), 
and the item relating to that section in the table of contents 
contained in section 2 of the United States-Japan Fishery 
Agreement Approval Act of 1987, are repealed. 
SEC. 605. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS. 
Section 4 (33 U.S.C. 1953) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) STRATEGY.—’’; and 
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (c). 
SEC. 606. COORDINATION. 
(a) INTERAGENCY MARINE DEBRIS COORDINATING 
COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 2203 of the Marine 
Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 
(33 U.S.C. 1914) is redesignated and moved to re-
place and appear as section 5 of the Marine Debris 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1954), as so retitled by section 602(a) 
of this title. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5 of the 
Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1954), as amended by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, is further amended 
in subsection (d)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Con-
trol Act of 1987’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘of the Marine Plastic Pol-
lution Research and Control Act of 1987’’ after 
‘‘section 2201’’. 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating 
to section 2203 in the table of contents contained in 
section 2 of the United States-Japan Fishery Agree-
ment Approval Act of 1987 is repealed. 
(b) BIENNIAL PROGRESS REPORTS.—Section 5(c)(2) 
of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1954(c)(2)), as in effect immediately before 
the enactment of this Act— 
(1) is redesignated and moved to appear as sub-
section (e) at the end of section 5 of the Marine De-
bris Act, as amended by subsection (a) of this section; 
and
(2) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘ANNUAL
PROGRESS
RE-
PORTS.—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘there-
after’’ and inserting ‘‘BIENNIAL PROGRESS RE-
PORTS.—Biennially’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Interagency’’ each place it 
appears; 
(C) by striking ‘‘chairperson’’ and inserting 
‘‘Chairperson’’; 
(D) by inserting ‘‘Natural’’ before ‘‘Re-
sources’’; 
(E) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
through (E) as paragraphs (1) through (5), re-
spectively; and 
(F) by moving all text 2 ems to the left. 
SEC. 607. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBMITTED INFORMATION. 
Section 6(2) (33 U.S.C. 1955(2)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘by the fishing industry’’. 
SEC. 608. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 7 (33 U.S.C. 1956) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2203 of the 
Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 
1987 (33 U.S.C. 1914)’’ and inserting ‘‘5 of this Act’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following:
‘‘(3) MARINE DEBRIS.—The term ‘marine debris’ 
means any persistent solid material that is manufac-
tured or processed and directly or indirectly, inten-
tionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned 
into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.’’; 
(3) by striking paragraph (5); 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as para-
graph (5); 
(5) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by para-
graph (4) of this section, by striking ‘‘Prevention and 
Removal’’; 
(6) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(6) SEVERE MARINE DEBRIS EVENT.—The term 
‘severe marine debris event’ means atypically large 
amounts of marine debris caused by a natural dis-
aster, including a tsunami, flood, landslide, or hurri-
cane, or other source.’’; and 
(7) by redesignating paragraph (8) as para-
graph (7). 
SEC. 609. SEVERE MARINE DEBRIS EVENT DETERMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall determine 
whether the March 2011, Tohoku earthquake and subsequent 
tsunami and the October 2012, hurricane Sandy each
caused a severe marine debris event (as that term is defined 
in section 7(6) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 
1956(6)), as amended by this Act). 
(b) DEADLINE.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide 
the determination required under subsection (a) to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives. 
TITLE VII—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 701. DISTANT WATER TUNA FLEET. 
Section 421 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–241; 120 Stat. 547) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(b) LICENSING RESTRICTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) only applies 
to a foreign citizen who holds a credential that is 
equivalent to the credential issued by the Coast Guard 
to a United States citizen for the position, with re-
spect to requirements for experience, training, and 
other qualifications.
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF CREDENTIAL.—An equiva-
lent credential under paragraph (1) shall be consid-
ered as meeting the requirements of section 8304 of 
title 46, United States Code, but only while a person 
holding the credential is in the service of the vessel to 
which this section applies.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘or Guam’’ be-
fore the period at the end; and 
(3) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘on December 
31, 2012’’ and inserting ‘‘on the date the Treaty on 
Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific 
Island States and the Government of the United 
States of America ceases to have effect for any party 
under Article 12.6 or 12.7 of such treaty, as in effect 
on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard and 
Maritime Transportation Act of 2012’’. 
SEC. 702. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) STUDY OF BRIDGES.—Section 905 of the Coast 
Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–281; 33 
U.S.C. 494a) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 905. STUDY OF BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS. 
‘‘The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a com-
prehensive study on the construction or alteration of any 
bridge, drawbridge, or causeway over the navigable waters 
of the United States with a channel depth of 25 feet or 
greater that may impede or obstruct future navigation to 
or from port facilities and for which a permit under the 
Act of March 23, 1906 (33 U.S.C. 491 et seq.), popularly 
known as the Bridge Act of 1906, was requested during the 
period beginning on January 1, 2006, and ending on Au-
gust 3, 2011.’’. 
(b) WAIVER.—Section 7(c) of the America’s Cup Act 
of 2011 (125 Stat. 755) is amended by inserting ‘‘located 
in Ketchikan, Alaska’’ after ‘‘moorage’’. 
SEC. 703. EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM. 
Section 2(a) of Public Law 110–299 (33 U.S.C. 1342 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘2013’’ and inserting ‘‘2014’’. 
SEC. 704. NOTICE OF ARRIVAL. 
The regulations required under section 109(a) of the 
Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 
(33 U.S.C. 1223 note) dealing with notice of arrival re-
quirements for foreign vessels on the Outer Continental 
Shelf shall not apply to a vessel documented under section 
12105 of title 46, United States Code, unless the vessel ar-
rives from a foreign port or place. 
SEC. 705. WAIVERS. 
(a) TEXAS STAR CASINO.—
100 
(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding 
section 
12113(a)(4) of title 46, United States Code, the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating may issue a certificate of documentation 
with a fishery endorsement for the Texas Star Casino 
(IMO number 7722047). 
(2) 
RESTRICTION.—Notwithstanding 
section 
12113(b)(1) of title 46, United States Code, a fishery 
endorsement issued under paragraph (1) is not valid 
for any fishery for which a fishery management plan 
has been approved by the Secretary of Commerce pur-
suant to section 304 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1854) 
before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) RANGER III.—Section 3703a of title 46, United 
States Code, does not apply to the passenger vessel Ranger 
III (United States official number 277361), during any pe-
riod that the vessel is owned and operated by the National 
Park Service. 
SEC. 706. NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER NOTIFICATION RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, 
established pursuant to the Ohio River Valley Water Sani-
tation Compact consented to and approved by Congress in 
the Act of July 11, 1940 (54 Stat. 752), is deemed a Govern-
101 
ment agency for purposes of the notification requirements 
of section 103 of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
9603). The National Response Center shall convey notifica-
tion, including complete and unredacted incident reports, 
expeditiously to the Commission regarding each release in 
or affecting the Ohio River Basin for which notification to 
all appropriate Government agencies is required. 
SEC. 707. VESSEL DETERMINATIONS. 
The vessel with United States official number 981472 
and the vessel with United States official number 988333 
shall each be deemed to be a new vessel effective on the date 
of delivery after January 1, 2008, from a privately owned 
United States shipyard if no encumbrances are on record 
with the Coast Guard at the time of the issuance of the 
new vessel certificate of documentation for each vessel. 
SEC. 708. MILLE LACS LAKE, MINNESOTA. 
The waters of Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, are not 
waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States for 
the purposes of section 2 of title 14, United States Code. 
SEC. 709. TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION 
CREDENTIAL PROCESS REFORM. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall reform 
the process for Transportation Worker Identification Cre-
102 
dential enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal to re-
quire, in total, not more than one in-person visit to a des-
ignated enrollment center except in cases in which there are 
extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Secretary, 
requiring more than one such in-person visit. 
SEC. 710. INVESTMENT AMOUNT. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall increase the 
$22,500,000 invested in income-producing securities for 
purposes of section 5006(b) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 
(33 U.S.C. 2736(b)) by $12,851,340. 
SEC. 711. INTEGRATED CROSS-BORDER MARITIME LAW EN-
FORCEMENT 
OPERATIONS 
BETWEEN 
THE 
UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity, acting through the Commandant of the Coast Guard, 
may establish an Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law 
Enforcement Operations Program to coordinate the mari-
time security operations of the United States and Canada 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Program’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Commandant, shall administer the Program in a manner 
that results in a cooperative approach between the United 
States and Canada to strengthen border security and detect,
103 
prevent, suppress, investigate, and respond to terrorism and 
violations of law related to border security. 
(c) TRAINING.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Commandant and in consultation with the Secretary of 
State, may— 
(1) establish, as an element of the Program, a 
training program for individuals who will serve as 
maritime law enforcement officers; and 
(2) conduct training jointly with Canada to en-
hance border security, including training— 
(A) on the detection and apprehension of 
suspected terrorists and individuals attempting 
to unlawfully cross or unlawfully use the inter-
national maritime border between the United 
States and Canada; 
(B) on the integration, analysis, and dis-
semination of port security information by and 
between the United States and Canada; 
(C) on policy, regulatory, and legal consid-
erations related to the Program; 
(D) on the use of force in maritime security; 
(E) on operational procedures and protec-
tion of sensitive information; and 
(F) on preparedness and response to mari-
time terrorist incidents.
104 
(d) COORDINATION.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Commandant, shall coordinate the Program with other 
similar border security and antiterrorism programs within 
the Department of Homeland Security. 
(e) MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT.—The Secretary may 
enter into any memorandum of agreement necessary to 
carry out the Program. 
SEC. 712. BRIDGE PERMITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of reviewing a 
permit application pursuant to section 9 of the Act of 
March 3, 1899, popularly known as the Rivers and Harbors 
Appropriation Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401), the Act of 
March 23, 1906, popularly known as the Bridge Act of 1906 
(33 U.S.C. 491 et seq.), the Act of June 21, 1940, popularly 
known as the Truman-Hobbs Act (33 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), 
or the General Bridge Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 525 et seq.), 
the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating may— 
(1) accept voluntary services from one or more 
owners of a bridge; and 
(2) accept and credit to Coast Guard operating 
expenses any amounts received from one or more own-
ers of a bridge. 
(b) EXPEDITED PROCESS.—The Secretary of the de-
partment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall com-
105 
plete, on an expeditious basis and using the shortest existing 
applicable process, determinations on any required ap-
proval for issuance of any permits under the jurisdiction 
of such department related to the construction or alteration 
of a bridge over the Kill Van Kull consistent with Executive 
Order 13604 (March 22, 2012) and the Administration’s 
objectives for the project. 
SEC. 713. TONNAGE OF AQUEOS ACADIAN. 
The Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating may consider the tonnage measurements 
for the vessel Aqueos Acadian (United States official num-
ber 553645) recorded on the certificate of inspection for the 
vessel issued on September 8, 2011, to be valid until May 
2, 2014, if the vessel and the use of its space is not changed 
after November 16, 2012, in a way that substantially affects 
the tonnage of the vessel. 
SEC. 714. NAVIGABILITY DETERMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard 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 impact of additional regu-
latory requirements imposed on passenger vessels operating
106 
on the Ringo Cocke Canal in Louisiana as a result of the 
covered navigability determination. 
(b) RESTRICTION.—Before the date that is 180 days 
after the date on which the assessment required under sub-
section (a) is submitted, the Commandant may not enforce 
any regulatory requirements imposed on passenger vessels 
operating on the Ringo Cocke Canal in Louisiana that are 
a result of the covered navigability determination. 
(c) COVERED
NAVIGABILITY
DETERMINATION
DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered navigability de-
termination’’ means the Coast Guard’s Navigability Deter-
mination for Ringo Cocke Canal, Louisiana, dated March 
25, 2010. 
SEC. 715. COAST GUARD HOUSING. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the 
Coast Guard’s National Housing Assessment and any anal-
ysis conducted by the Coast Guard of such assessment.
107 
SEC. 716. ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL COAST 
GUARD PRESENCE IN HIGH-LATITUDE RE-
GIONS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall submit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives an assessment of the need 
for additional Coast Guard prevention and response capa-
bility in the high-latitude regions. The assessment shall ad-
dress needs for all Coast Guard mission areas, including 
search and rescue, marine pollution response and preven-
tion, fisheries enforcement, and maritime commerce. The 
Secretary shall include in the assessment— 
(1) an analysis of the high-latitude operating ca-
pabilities of all current Coast Guard assets other than 
icebreakers, including assets acquired under the Deep-
water program; 
(2) an analysis of projected needs for Coast 
Guard operations in the high-latitude regions; and 
(3) an analysis of shore infrastructure, per-
sonnel, logistics, communications, and resources re-
quirements to support Coast Guard operations in the 
high-latitude regions, including forward operating 
bases and existing infrastructure in the furthest north
108 
locations that are ice free, or nearly ice free, year 
round. 
SEC. 717. POTENTIAL PLACE OF REFUGE. 
(a) CONSULTATION.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall consult with appropriate Federal agencies and 
with State and local interests to determine what improve-
ments, if any, are necessary to designate existing ice-free 
facilities or infrastructure in the Central Bering Sea as a 
fully functional, year-round Potential Place of Refuge. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the consultation 
under subsection (a) shall be to enhance safety of human 
life at sea and protect the marine environment in the Cen-
tral Bering Sea. 
(c) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION.—Not later than 90 
days after making the determination under subsection (a), 
the Commandant shall inform the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives in writing of the findings under sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 718. MERCHANT MARINER MEDICAL EVALUATION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast
109 
Guard 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 Coast Guard National Mar-
itime Center’s merchant mariner medical evaluation pro-
gram and alternatives to the program. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The assessment required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An overview of the adequacy of the program 
for making medical certification determinations for 
issuance of merchant mariners’ documents. 
(2) An analysis of how a system similar to the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Na-
tional Registry of Certified Medical Examiners pro-
gram, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s 
Designated Aviation Medical Examiners program, 
could be applied by the Coast Guard in making med-
ical fitness determinations for issuance of merchant 
mariners’ documents. 
(3) An explanation of how the amendments to 
the International Convention on Standards of Train-
ing, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
1978, that entered into force on January 1, 2012, re-
quired changes to the Coast Guard’s merchant mar-
iner medical evaluation program.
110 
SEC. 719. DETERMINATIONS. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating shall provide to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate an assessment of— 
(1) the loss of United States shipyard jobs and 
industrial base expertise as a result of rebuild, conver-
sion, and double-hull work on United States-flag ves-
sels eligible to engage in the coastwise trade being per-
formed in foreign shipyards; 
(2) enforcement of the Coast Guard’s foreign re-
build determination regulations; and 
(3) 
recommendations 
for 
improving 
trans-
parency in the Coast Guard’s foreign rebuild deter-
mination process. 
SEC. 720. IMPEDIMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES-FLAG REG-
ISTRY. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard 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 factors under the authority of 
the Coast Guard that impact the ability of vessels docu-
111 
mented in the United States to effectively compete in inter-
national transportation markets. 
(b) CONTENT.—The assessment under subsection (a) 
shall include— 
(1) a review of differences between Coast Guard 
policies and regulations governing the inspection of 
vessels documented in the United States and Inter-
national Maritime Organization policies and regula-
tions governing the inspection of vessels not docu-
mented in the United States; 
(2) a statement on the impact such differences 
have on operating costs for vessels documented in the 
United States; and 
(3) recommendations on whether to harmonize 
any such differences. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the assessment 
under subsection (a), the Commandant may consider the 
views of representatives of the owners or operators of vessels 
documented in the United States and the organizations rep-
resenting the employees employed on such vessels. 
SEC. 721. ARCTIC DEEPWATER SEAPORT. 
(a) STUDY.—The Commandant of the Coast Guard, in 
consultation with the Commanding General of the Army 
Corps of Engineers, the Maritime Administrator, and the 
Chief of Naval Operations, shall conduct a study on the fea-
112 
sibility of establishing a deepwater seaport in the Arctic 
to protect and advance strategic United States interests 
within the Arctic region. 
(b) SCOPE.—The study under subsection (a) shall in-
clude an analysis of— 
(1) the capability provided by a deepwater sea-
port that— 
(A) is in the Arctic (as that term is defined 
in the section 112 of the Arctic Research and 
Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111)); and 
(B) has a depth of not less than 34 feet; 
(2) the potential and optimum locations for such 
deepwater seaport; 
(3) the resources needed to establish such deep-
water seaport; 
(4) the timeframe needed to establish such deep-
water seaport; 
(5) the infrastructure required to support such 
deepwater seaport; and 
(6) any other issues the Secretary considers nec-
essary to complete the study. 
(c) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF FINDINGS.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Commandant shall submit the findings of the study 
under subsection (a) to the Committee on Commerce,
113 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives. 
SEC. 722. RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTING CANADIAN 
OIL SANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant of the Coast 
Guard shall assess the increased vessel traffic in the Salish 
Sea (including Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, Haro 
Strait, Rosario Strait, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca), 
that may occur from the transport of Canadian oil sands 
oil. 
(b) SCOPE.—The assessment required under subsection 
(a) shall, at a minimum, consider— 
(1) the extent to which vessel (including barge, 
tanker, and supertanker) traffic may increase due to 
Canadian oil sands development; 
(2) whether the transport of oil from Canadian 
oil sands within the Salish Sea is likely to require 
navigation through United States territorial waters; 
(3) the rules or regulations that restrict super-
tanker traffic in United States waters, including an 
assessment of whether there are methods to bypass 
those rules or regulations in such waters and adjacent 
Canadian waters;
114 
(4) the rules or regulations that restrict the 
amount of oil transported in tankers or barges in 
United States waters, including an assessment of 
whether there are methods to bypass those rules or 
regulations in such waters and adjacent Canadian 
waters; 
(5) the spill response capability throughout the 
shared waters of the United States and Canada, in-
cluding oil spill response planning requirements for 
vessels bound for one nation transiting through the 
waters of the other nation; 
(6) the vessel emergency response towing capa-
bility at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca; 
(7) the agreement between the United States and 
Canada that outlines requirements for laden tank ves-
sels to be escorted by tug boats; 
(8) whether oil extracted from oil sands has dif-
ferent properties from other types of oil, including 
toxicity and other properties, that may require dif-
ferent maritime clean up technologies; 
(9) a risk assessment of the increasing super-
tanker, tanker, and barge traffic associated with Ca-
nadian oil sands development or expected to be associ-
ated with Canadian oil sands development; and
115 
(10) the potential costs and benefits to the 
United States public and the private sector of mari-
time transportation of oil sands products. 
(c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In conducting the 
assessment required under this section, the Commandant 
shall consult with the State of Washington, affected tribal 
governments, and industry, including vessel operators, oil 
sands producers, and spill response experts. The Com-
mandant may consult with the Secretary of State. 
(d) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall submit the assessment required under this 
section to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H.R. 2838 
HOUSE AMENDMENT TO 
SENATE AMENDMENTS