An act to reauthorize and amend the Marine Debris Act to promote international action to reduce marine debris, and for other purposes
PL 115-265 (S.3508), enacted 10/11/2018

132 STAT. 3742 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
Public Law 115–265 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To reauthorize and amend the Marine Debris Act to promote international action 
to reduce marine debris, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Save Our Seas Act of 2018’’. 
TITLE I—MARINE DEBRIS 
SEC. 101. NOAA MARINE DEBRIS PROGRAM. 
Section 3 of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1952) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) work to develop outreach and education strategies 
with other Federal agencies to address sources of marine debris; 
‘‘(7) except for discharges of marine debris from vessels, 
in consultation with the Department of State and other Federal 
agencies, promote international action, as appropriate, to 
reduce the incidence of marine debris, including providing tech-
nical assistance to expand waste management systems inter-
nationally; and 
‘‘(8) in the case of an event determined to be a severe 
marine debris event under subsection (c)— 
‘‘(A) assist in the cleanup and response required by 
the severe marine debris event; or 
‘‘(B) conduct such other activity as the Administrator 
determines is appropriate in response to the severe marine 
debris event.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) SEVERE MARINE DEBRIS EVENTS.—At the discretion of the 
Administrator or at the request of the Governor of an affected 
State, the Administrator shall determine whether there is a severe 
marine debris event.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (d)(2), as redesignated— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘subparagraph 
(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (B) and (C)’’; and 
Determination. 
Determination. 
Consultation. 
Strategies. 
46 USC 101 note. 
Save Our Seas 
Act of 2018. 
Oct. 11, 2018 
[S. 3508] 
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132 STAT. 3743 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) SEVERE MARINE DEBRIS EVENTS.—Notwithstanding 
subparagraph (A), the Federal share of the cost of an 
activity carried out under a determination made under 
subsection (c) shall be— 
‘‘(i) 100 percent of the cost of the activity, for 
an activity funded wholly by funds made available 
by a person, including the government of a foreign 
country, to the Federal Government for the purpose 
of responding to a severe marine debris event; or 
‘‘(ii) 75 percent of the cost of the activity, for any 
activity other than an activity funded as described 
in clause (i).’’. 
SEC. 102. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT TO 
RESPOND TO MARINE DEBRIS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the President should— 
(1) support research and development on systems and mate-
rials that reduce— 
(A) derelict fishing gear; and 
(B) the amount of solid waste that is generated from 
land-based sources and the amount of such waste that 
enters the marine environment; 
(2) work with representatives of foreign countries that dis-
charge the largest amounts of solid waste from land-based 
sources into the marine environment, to develop mechanisms 
to reduce such discharges; 
(3) carry out studies to determine— 
(A) the primary means of discharges referred to in 
paragraph (2); 
(B) the manner in which waste management infrastruc-
ture can be most effective in preventing such discharges; 
and 
(C) the long-term impacts of marine debris on the 
national economies of the countries with which work is 
undertaken under paragraph (2) and on the global economy, 
including the impacts of reducing the discharge of such 
debris; 
(4) work with representatives of the countries with which 
work is undertaken in paragraph (2) to conclude one or more 
new international agreements that include provisions— 
(A) to mitigate the discharge of land-based solid waste 
into the marine environment; and 
(B) to provide technical assistance and investment in 
waste management infrastructure to reduce such dis-
charges, if the President determines such assistance or 
investment is appropriate; and 
(5) encourage the United States Trade Representative to 
consider the impact of discharges of land-based solid waste 
from the countries with which work is conducted under para-
graph (2) in relevant future trade agreements. 
SEC. 103. SENSE OF CONGRESS SUPPORTING GREAT LAKES LAND- 
BASED MARINE DEBRIS ACTION PLAN. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Great Lakes Land-Based 
Marine Debris Action Plan (NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS– 
OR&R–49) is vital to the ongoing efforts to clean up the Great 
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132 STAT. 3744 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
Lakes Region and getting rid of harmful debris, such as microplas-
tics, abandoned vessels, and other forms of pollution that are threat-
ening the survival of native marine animals and damaging the 
Great Lakes’ recreation and tourism economy. 
SEC. 104. MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERAGENCY MARINE DEBRIS 
COORDINATING COMMITTEE. 
Section 5(b) of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1954(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(5) the Department of State; 
‘‘(6) the Department of the Interior; and’’. 
SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 9 of the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1958) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Administrator $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
2022 for carrying out sections 3, 5, and 6, of which not more 
than 5 percent is authorized for each fiscal year for administrative 
costs. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNTS AUTHORIZED FOR COAST GUARD.—Of the amounts 
authorized for each fiscal year under section 2702(1) of title 14, 
United States Code, up to $2,000,000 is authorized for the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating for use 
by the Commandant of the Coast Guard to carry out section 4 
of this Act, of which not more than 5 percent is authorized for 
each fiscal year for administrative costs.’’. 
TITLE II—MARITIME SAFETY 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Hamm Alert Maritime Safety 
Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 202. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) On September 29, 2015, the SS El Faro cargo vessel 
left Jacksonville, Florida bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico, 
carrying 391 shipping containers, 294 trailers and cars, and 
a crew of 33 people, including 28 Americans. 
(2) On the morning of October 1, the El Faro sent its 
final communication reporting that the engines were disabled 
and the ship was listing, leaving the ship directly in the path 
of Hurricane Joaquin and resulting in the sinking of the vessel 
and the loss of all 33 lives. 
(3) The National Transportation Safety Board and the 
Coast Guard made recommendations to address safety issues, 
such as improving weather information and training, improving 
planning and response to severe weather, reviewing the Coast 
Guard’s program delegating vessel inspections to third-party 
organizations to assess the effectiveness of the program, and 
46 USC 101 note. 
Hamm Alert 
Maritime Safety 
Act of 2018. 
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132 STAT. 3745 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
improving alerts and equipment on the vessels, among other 
recommendations. 
(4) Safety issues are not limited to the El Faro. For 2017, 
over 21,000 deficiencies were issued to United States commer-
cial vessels and more than 2,500 U.S. vessels were issued 
‘‘no-sail’’ requirements. 
(5) The maritime industry, particularly the men and women 
of the United States merchant marine, play a vital and impor-
tant role to the national security and economy of our country, 
and a strong safety regime is necessary to ensure the vitality 
of the industry and the protection of current and future mari-
ners, and to honor lost mariners. 
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COMMANDANT.—The term ‘‘Commandant’’ means the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(2) RECOGNIZED
ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘recognized 
organization’’ has the meaning given that term in section 2.45– 
1 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. 
SEC. 204. DOMESTIC VESSEL COMPLIANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the President submits to the Congress a budget each year 
pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Com-
mandant shall publish on a publicly accessible Website information 
documenting domestic vessel compliance with the requirements of 
subtitle II of title 46, United States Code. 
(b) CONTENT.—The information required under subsection (a) 
shall— 
(1) include flag-State detention rates for each type of 
inspected vessel; and 
(2) identify any recognized organization that inspected or 
surveyed a vessel that was later subject to a Coast Guard- 
issued control action attributable to a major nonconformity 
that the recognized organization failed to identify in such 
inspection or survey. 
SEC. 205. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct an audit regarding the implementation and effective-
ness of the Coast Guard’s oversight and enforcement of safety 
management plans required under chapter 32 of title 46, United 
States Code. 
(b) SCOPE.—The audit conducted under subsection (a) shall 
include an evaluation of— 
(1) the effectiveness and implementation of safety manage-
ment plans, including such plans for— 
(A) a range of vessel types and sizes; and 
(B) vessels that operate in a cross-section of regional 
operating areas; and 
(2) the effectiveness and implementation of safety manage-
ment plans in addressing the impact of heavy weather. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Evaluation. 
Audit. 
46 USC 3201 
note. 
Deadline. 
Public 
information. 
Web posting. 
46 USC 2116 
note. 
46 USC 2101 
note. 
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132 STAT. 3746 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a report detailing the results of the audit 
and providing recommendations related to such results, including 
ways to streamline and focus such plans on ship safety. 
(d) MARINE SAFETY ALERT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date the report is submitted under subsection (c), the Commandant 
shall publish a Marine Safety Alert providing notification of the 
completion of the report and including a link to the report on 
a publicly accessible website. 
(e) ADDITIONAL ACTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon completion of the report under sub-
section (c), the Commandant shall consider additional guidance 
or a rulemaking to address any deficiencies identified, and 
any additional actions recommended, in the report. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date the 
report is submitted under subsection (c), the Commandant 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 report 
on the actions the Commandant has taken to address any 
deficiencies identified, and any additional actions recommended, 
in the report submitted under subsection (c). 
SEC. 206. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3306 of title 46, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l)(1) The Secretary shall require that a freight vessel inspected 
under this chapter be outfitted with distress signaling and location 
technology for the higher of— 
‘‘(A) the minimum complement of officers and crew specified 
on the certificate of inspection for such vessel; or 
‘‘(B) the number of persons onboard the vessel; and 
‘‘(2) the requirement described in paragraph (1) shall not apply 
to vessels operating within the baseline from which the territorial 
sea of the United States is measured. 
‘‘(m)(1) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations requiring 
companies to maintain records of all incremental weight changes 
made to freight vessels inspected under this chapter, and to track 
weight changes over time to facilitate rapid determination of the 
aggregate total. 
‘‘(2) Records maintained under paragraph (1) shall be stored, 
in paper or electronic form, onboard such vessels for not less than 
3 years and shoreside for the life of the vessel.’’. 
(2) DEADLINES.—The Secretary shall— 
(A) begin implementing the requirement under section 
3306(l) of title 46, United States Code, as amended by 
this subsection, by not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act; and 
(B) promulgate the regulations required under section 
3306(m) of title 46, United States Code, as amended by 
this subsection, by not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) ENGAGEMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter 
into negotiations through the International Maritime Organization 
Deadline. 
46 USC 3306 
note. 
46 USC 3306 
note. 
Time periods. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Deadline. 
Web posting. 
Notification. 
Public 
information. 
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132 STAT. 3747 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
to amend regulation 25 of chapter II–1 of the International Conven-
tion for the Safety of Life at Sea to require a high-water alarm 
sensor in each cargo hold of a freight vessel (as that term is 
defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code), that con-
nects with audible and visual alarms on the navigation bridge 
of the vessel. 
SEC. 207. VOYAGE DATA RECORDER; ACCESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 63 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 6309. Voyage data recorder access 
‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Coast Guard 
shall have full, concurrent, and timely access to and ability to 
use voyage data recorder data and audio held by any Federal 
agency in all marine casualty investigations, regardless of which 
agency is the investigative lead.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘6309. Voyage data recorder access.’’. 
SEC. 208. VOYAGE DATA RECORDER; REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) FLOAT-FREE AND BEACON REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to 
enter into negotiations through the International Maritime 
Organization to amend regulation 20 of chapter V of the Inter-
national Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to require 
that all voyage data recorders are installed in a float-free 
arrangement and contain an integrated emergency position 
indicating radio beacon. 
(2) PROGRESS UPDATE.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives an update on the 
progress of the engagement required under paragraph (1). 
(b) COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant 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 a cost-benefit analysis of requiring 
that voyage data recorders installed on commercial vessels docu-
mented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, capture 
communications on the internal telephone systems of such vessels, 
including requiring the capture of both sides of all communications 
with the bridge onboard such vessels. 
SEC. 209. SURVIVAL AND LOCATING EQUIPMENT. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Commandant shall, subject to the availability of appro-
priations, identify and procure equipment that will provide search- 
and-rescue units the ability to attach a radio or Automated Identi-
fication System strobe or beacon to an object that is not immediately 
retrievable. 
Deadline. 
14 USC 88 note. 
46 USC 3306 
note. 
Deadlines. 
46 USC 
prec. 6301. 
46 USC 6309. 
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132 STAT. 3748 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
SEC. 210. TRAINING OF COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. 
(a) PROSPECTIVE SECTOR COMMANDER TRAINING.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall implement an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections 
segment to the sector commander indoctrination course for prospec-
tive sector commanders without a Coast Guard prevention ashore 
officer specialty code. 
(b) STEAMSHIP INSPECTIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall implement 
steam plant inspection training for Coast Guard marine inspectors 
and, subject to availability, recognized organizations to which 
authority is delegated under section 3316 of title 46, United States 
Code. 
(c) ADVANCED JOURNEYMAN INSPECTOR TRAINING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall establish 
advanced training to provide instruction on the oversight of 
recognized organizations to which authority is delegated under 
section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, auditing respon-
sibilities, and the inspection of unique vessel types. 
(2) RECIPIENTS.—The Commandant shall— 
(A) require that such training be completed by senior 
Coast Guard marine inspectors; and 
(B) subject to availability of training capacity, make 
such training available to recognized organization sur-
veyors authorized by the Coast Guard to conduct inspec-
tions. 
(d) COAST GUARD INSPECTIONS STAFF; BRIEFING.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing 
detailing— 
(1) the estimated time and funding necessary to triple 
the current size of the Coast Guard’s traveling inspector staff; 
and 
(2) other options available to the Coast Guard to enhance 
and maintain marine safety knowledge, including discussion 
of increased reliance on— 
(A) civilian marine inspectors; 
(B) experienced licensed mariners; 
(C) retired members of the Coast Guard; 
(D) arranging for Coast Guard inspectors to ride 
onboard commercial oceangoing vessels documented under 
chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, to gain experi-
ence and insight; and 
(E) extending tour-lengths for Coast Guard marine 
safety officers assigned to inspection billets. 
(e) AUDITS; COAST GUARD ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Commandant shall— 
(1) update Coast Guard policy to utilize risk analysis to 
target the attendance of Coast Guard personnel during external 
safety management certificate and document of compliance 
audits; and 
Policy update. 
Risk analysis. 
Deadlines. 
14 USC 93 note. 
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132 STAT. 3749 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
(2) perform a quality assurance audit of recognized 
organization representation and performance regarding United 
States-flagged vessels. 
SEC. 211. MAJOR MARINE CASUALTY PROPERTY DAMAGE THRESHOLD. 
Section 6101(i)(3) of title 46, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘$500,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000’’. 
SEC. 212. REVIEWS, BRIEFINGS, REPORTS, AND TECHNICAL CORREC-
TIONS. 
(a) MAJOR CONVERSION DETERMINATIONS.— 
(1) REVIEW
OF
POLICIES
AND
PROCEDURES.—The Com-
mandant shall conduct a review of policies and procedures 
for making and documenting major conversion determinations, 
including an examination of the deference given to precedent. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the 
findings of the review required by paragraph (1). 
(b) VENTILATORS, OPENINGS AND STABILITY STANDARDS.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall complete a review 
of the effectiveness of United States regulations, international 
conventions, recognized organizations’ class rules, and Coast 
Guard technical policy regarding— 
(A) ventilators and other hull openings; 
(B) fire dampers and other closures protecting openings 
normally open during operations; 
(C) intact and damage stability standards under sub-
chapter S of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regula-
tions; and 
(D) lifesaving equipment for mariners, including sur-
vival suits and life jackets. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the 
effectiveness of the regulations, international conventions, rec-
ognized organizations’ class rules, and Coast Guard technical 
policy reviewed under paragraph (1). 
(c) SELF-LOCATING DATUM MARKER BUOYS.—Not later than 
6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing 
on the reliability of self-locating datum marker buoys and other 
similar technology used during Coast Guard search-and-rescue oper-
ations. The briefing shall include a description of reasonable steps 
the Commandant could take to increase the reliability of such 
buoys, including the potential to leverage technology used by the 
Navy, and how protocols could be developed to conduct testing 
of such buoys before using them for operations. 
(d) CORRECTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Secretary of Transportation, for purposes of section 
45 USC 822 note. 
Deadlines. 
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132 STAT. 3750 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
502(f)(4) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform 
Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 822(f)(4)) (as in effect on the day before 
the amendments made by section 11607 of Public Law 114– 
94 (129 Stat. 1698) took effect)— 
(A) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and in consultation with the Director of the 
Office of Management and Budget, shall define the term 
‘‘cohorts of loans’’; 
(B) before the deadline described in paragraph (2), 
shall return to the original source, on a pro rata basis, 
the credit risk premiums paid for the loans in the cohort 
of loans, with interest accrued thereon, that were not used 
to mitigate losses; and 
(C) shall not treat the repayment of a loan after the 
date of enactment of Public Law 114–94 as precluding, 
limiting, or negatively affecting the satisfaction of the 
obligation of its cohort prior to the enactment of Public 
Law 114–94. 
(2) DEADLINE DESCRIBED.—The deadline described in this 
paragraph is— 
(A) if all obligations attached to a cohort of loans 
have been satisfied, not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act; and 
(B) if all obligations attached to a cohort of loans 
have not been satisfied, not later than 60 days after the 
date on which all obligations attached to the cohort of 
loans are satisfied. 
(e) OVERSIGHT PROGRAM; EFFECTIVENESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall commission 
an assessment of the effectiveness of the Coast Guard’s over-
sight of recognized organizations and its impact on compliance 
by and safety of vessels inspected by such organizations. 
(2) EXPERIENCE.—The assessment commissioned under 
paragraph (1) shall be conducted by a research organization 
with significant experience in maritime operations and marine 
safety. 
(3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date that the assessment required under paragraph 
(1) is completed, the Commandant shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives the results of such assessment. 
SEC. 213. FLAG-STATE GUIDANCE AND SUPPLEMENTS. 
(a) FREIGHT VESSELS; DAMAGE CONTROL INFORMATION.—Within 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall issue flag-State guidance for all freight vessels documented 
under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, built before 
January 1, 1992, regarding the inclusion of comprehensive damage 
control information in safety management plans required under 
chapter 32 of title 46, United States Code. 
(b) RECOGNIZED
ORGANIZATIONS; UNITED
STATES
SUPPLE-
MENT.—The Commandant shall— 
(1) work with recognized organizations to create a single 
United States Supplement to rules of such organizations for 
classification of vessels; and 
Deadline. 
46 USC 3203 
note. 
Assessment. 
Consultation. 
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132 STAT. 3751 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
(2) by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives a briefing on whether it is necessary to revise part 8 
of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, to authorize only 
one United States Supplement to such rules. 
SEC. 214. MARINE SAFETY STRATEGY. 
Section 2116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘each year of an annual’’ 
and inserting ‘‘of a triennial’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘ANNUAL’’ 
and inserting ‘‘TRIENNIAL’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘annual’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘triennial’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2020 and triennially’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘annual plan’’ and inserting ‘‘triennial 
plan’’; and 
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ‘‘annually’’ and inserting 
‘‘triennially’’. 
SEC. 215. RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS; OVERSIGHT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, 
is amended by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h), and 
by inserting after subsection (f) the following: 
‘‘(g)(1) There shall be within the Coast Guard an office that 
conducts comprehensive and targeted oversight of all recognized 
organizations that act on behalf of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(2) The staff of the office shall include subject matter experts, 
including inspectors, investigators, and auditors, who possess the 
capability and authority to audit all aspects of such recognized 
organizations. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection the term ‘recognized organization’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 2.45–1 of title 46, Code 
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment 
of the Hamm Alert Maritime Safety Act of 2018.’’. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT.—The Commandant of the 
Coast Guard shall establish the office required by the amendment 
made by subsection (a) by not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 216. TIMELY WEATHER FORECASTS AND HAZARD ADVISORIES 
FOR MERCHANT MARINERS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter into negotiations through 
the International Maritime Organization to amend the International 
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to require that vessels 
subject to the requirements of such Convention receive— 
(1) timely synoptic and graphical chart weather forecasts; 
and 
(2) where available, timely hazard advisories for merchant 
mariners, including broadcasts of tropical cyclone forecasts and 
advisories, intermediate public advisories, and tropical cyclone 
updates to mariners via appropriate technologies. 
46 USC 3201 
note. 
Deadline. 
Vessels. 
46 USC 3316 
note. 
Definition. 
Deadline. 
Briefing. 
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132 STAT. 3752 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
SEC. 217. ANONYMOUS SAFETY ALERT SYSTEM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall establish an anony-
mous safety alert pilot program. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The pilot program established under sub-
section (a) shall provide an anonymous reporting mechanism to 
allow crew members to communicate urgent and dire safety con-
cerns directly and in a timely manner with the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 218. MARINE SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION STATUS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 19 of 2018, and 
of each of the 2 subsequent years thereafter, the Commandant 
shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on 
the status of implementation of each action outlined in the Com-
mandant’s final action memo dated December 19, 2017, regarding 
the sinking and loss of the vessel El Faro. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General 
shall report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the status of 
the Coast Guard’s implementation of each action outlined in the 
Commandant’s final action memo dated December 19, 2017, 
regarding the sinking and loss of the vessel El Faro. 
SEC. 219. DELEGATED AUTHORITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall review the authorities 
that have been delegated to recognized organizations for the alter-
native compliance program as described in subpart D of part 8 
of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, and, if necessary, revise 
or establish policies and procedures to ensure those delegated 
authorities are being conducted in a manner to ensure safe maritime 
transportation. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of sub-
section (a). 
TITLE III—CENTER OF EXPERTISE 
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Blue Technology 
Center of Expertise Act’’. 
SEC. 302. COAST GUARD BLUE TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF EXPERTISE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the Commandant may establish under section 58 of title 
14, United States Code, a Blue Technology center of expertise. 
(b) MISSIONS.—In addition to the missions listed in section 
58(b) of title 14, United States Code, the Center may— 
Deadline. 
14 USC 58 note. 
14 USC 1 note. 
Coast Guard 
Blue Technology 
Center of 
Expertise Act. 
Review. 
Policies. 
Procedures. 
Deadlines. 
46 USC 3316 
note. 
Deadline. 
Briefing. 
Deadline. 
46 USC 3315 
note. 
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132 STAT. 3753 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
(1) promote awareness within the Coast Guard of the range 
and diversity of Blue Technologies and their potential to 
enhance Coast Guard mission readiness, operational perform-
ance, and regulation of such technologies; 
(2) function as an interactive conduit to enable the sharing 
and dissemination of Blue Technology information between the 
Coast Guard and representatives from the private sector, aca-
demia, nonprofit organizations, and other Federal agencies; 
(3) increase awareness among Blue Technology manufac-
turers, entrepreneurs, and vendors of Coast Guard acquisition 
policies, procedures, and business practices; 
(4) provide technical support, coordination, and assistance 
to Coast Guard districts and the Coast Guard Research and 
Development Center, as appropriate; and 
(5) subject to the requirements of the Coast Guard 
Academy, coordinate with the Academy to develop appropriate 
curricula regarding Blue Technology to be offered in profes-
sional courses of study to give Coast Guard cadets and officer 
candidates a greater background and understanding of Blue 
Technologies. 
(c) BLUE TECHNOLOGY EXPOSITION; BRIEFING.—Not later than 
6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Com-
mandant shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing 
on the costs and benefits of hosting a biennial Coast Guard Blue 
Technology exposition to further interactions between representa-
tives from the private sector, academia, and nonprofit organizations, 
and the Coast Guard and examine emerging technologies and Coast 
Guard mission demands. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CENTER.—The term ‘‘Center’’ means the Blue Tech-
nology center of expertise established under this section. 
(2) COMMANDANT.—The term ‘‘Commandant’’ means the 
Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(3) BLUE
TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘‘Blue Technology’’ 
means any technology, system, or platform that— 
(A) is designed for use or application above, on, or 
below the sea surface or that is otherwise applicable to 
Coast Guard operational needs, including such a tech-
nology, system, or platform that provides continuous or 
persistent coverage; and 
(B) supports or facilitates— 
(i) maritime domain awareness, including— 
(I) surveillance and monitoring; 
(II) observation, measurement, and modeling: 
or 
(III) information technology and communica-
tions; 
(ii) search and rescue; 
(iii) emergency response; 
(iv) maritime law enforcement; 
(v) marine inspections and investigations; or 
Deadline. 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
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132 STAT. 3754 
PUBLIC LAW 115–265—OCT. 11, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3508: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018): 
Sept. 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 27, considered and passed House. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2018): 
Oct. 11, Presidential remarks and statement. 
(vi) protection and conservation of the marine 
environment. 
Approved October 11, 2018. 
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