,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #gih #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fage ,report ,no4 #aae-ajai ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #ba1 #bjah ,mr4 ,hunter 7for himself and ,mr4 ,garamendi7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,november #ac1 #bjah ,committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed ,a ,,bill ,to enhance maritime safety1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,maritime ,safety ,act of #bjah4 #b4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #b4 ,table of contents4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #d4 ,domestic vessel compliance4 ,sec4 #e4 ,safety management system4 ,sec4 #f4 ,equipment requirements4 ,sec4 #g4 ,voyage data recorder2 access4 ,sec4 #h4 ,voyage data recorder2 requirements4 ,sec4 #i4 ,survival and locating equipment4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,training of ,coast ,guard personnel4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,major marine casualty property damage threshold4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,reviews1 briefings1 and reports4 ,sec4 #ac4 ,flag-state guidance and supplements4 ,sec4 #ad4 ,marine safety strategy4 ,sec4 #ae4 ,recognized organizations2 oversight4 ,sec4 #af4 ,timely weather forecasts4 ,sec4 #ag4 ,marine safety implementation status4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,commandant ,the term ,commandant means the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard24 7#b7 ,recognized organization ,the term recognized organization has the meaning given that term in section #b4de-a of title #df1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 as in effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the department in which the ,coast ,guard is operating4 #d4 ,domestic vessel compliance 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the ,president submits to the ,congress a budget each year pursuant to section #aaje of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,commandant shall publish on a publicly accessible website information documenting domestic vessel compliance with the requirements of subtitle ,,ii of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,content ,the information required under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 include flag-,state detention rates for each type of inspected vessel2 and 7#b7 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 survey4 #e4 ,safety management system 7a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct an audit regarding the implementation and effectiveness of safety management plans required under chapter #cb of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,scope ,the audit conducted under subsection 7a7 shall include a representative sample of safety management plans1 including such plans for-- 7#a7 a range of vessel types and sizes2 and 7#b7 vessels that operate in a cross-section of regional operating areas4 7c7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report detailing the results of the audit and providing recommendations related to such results1 including ways to streamline and focus such plans on ship safety4 7#b7 ,marine ,safety ,alert ,not later than #fj days after the date the report is submitted under paragraph 7#a71 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 website4 #f4 ,equipment requirements 7a7 ,regulations 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ccjf of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7l7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall require that a freight vessel inspected under this chapter be outfitted with distress signaling and location technology for the higher of-- 7,a7 the minimum complement of officers and crew specified on the certificate of inspection for such vessel2 or 7,b7 the number of persons onboard the vessel2 and 7#b7 the requirement described in paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply to vessels operating within the baseline from which the territorial sea of the ,united ,states is measured4 7m7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall promulgate regulations requiring companies to maintain records of all incremental weight changes made to freight vessels inspected under this chapter1 and to track weight changes over time to facilitate rapid determination of the aggregate total4 7#b7 ,records maintained under paragraph 7#a7 shall be stored1 in paper or electronic form1 onboard such vessels for not less than #c years and shoreside for the life of the vessel4 4 7#b7 ,deadlines ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 begin implementing the requirement under section #ccjf7l7 of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this subsection1 by not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act2 and 7,b7 promulgate the regulations required under section #ccjf7m7 of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this subsection1 by not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,engagement ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall seek to enter into negotiations through the ,international ,maritime ,organization to amend regulation #be of chapter ,,ii-#a of the ,international ,convention for the ,safety of ,life at ,sea to require a high-water alarm sensor in each cargo hold of a freight vessel 7as that term is defined in section #baja7ac7 of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code71 that connects with audible and visual alarms on the navigation bridge of the vessel4 #g4 ,voyage data recorder2 access 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #fc of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fcji4 ,voyage data recorder access ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,coast ,guard shall have full and timely access to and ability to use voyage data recorder data and audio held by any ,federal agency in all marine casualty investigations1 regardless of which agency is the investigative lead4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the analysis for such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fcji4 ,voyage data recorder access4 4 #h4 ,voyage data recorder2 requirements 7a7 ,float-,free and beacon requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall seek to enter into negotiations through the ,international ,maritime ,organization to amend regulation #bj of chapter ,v of the ,international ,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 beacon4 7#b7 ,progress update ,not later than #c years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate an update on the progress of the engagement required under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,cost-,benefit analysis ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a cost-benefit analysis of requiring that voyage data recorders installed on commercial vessels documented under chapter #aba of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 capture communications on the internal telephone systems of such vessels1 including requiring the capture of both sides of all communications with the bridge onboard such vessels4 #i4 ,survival and locating equipment ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 identify and procure equipment that will provide search-and-rescue units the ability to attach a radio or ,automated ,identification ,system strobe or beacon to an object that is not immediately retrievable4 #aj4 ,training of ,coast ,guard personnel 7a7 ,prospective sector commander training ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall implement an ,officer in ,charge1 ,marine ,inspections segment to the sector commander indoctrination course for prospective sector commanders without a ,coast ,guard prevention ashore officer specialty code4 7b7 ,steamship inspections ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall implement steam plant inspection training for ,coast ,guard marine inspectors and1 subject to availability1 recognized organizations to which authority is delegated under section #ccaf of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code4 7c7 ,advanced journeyman inspector training 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall establish advanced training to provide instruction on the oversight of recognized organizations to which authority is delegated under section #ccaf of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 auditing responsibilities1 and the inspection of unique vessel types4 7#b7 ,recipients ,the ,commandant shall-- 7,a7 require that such training be completed by senior ,coast ,guard marine inspectors2 and 7,b7 subject to availability of training capacity1 make such training available to recognized organization surveyors authorized by the ,coast ,guard to conduct inspections4 7d7 ,coast ,guard inspections staff2 briefing ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing detailing-- 7#a7 the estimated time and funding necessary to triple the current size of the ,coast ,guard's traveling inspector staff2 and 7#b7 other options available to the ,coast ,guard to enhance and maintain marine safety knowledge1 including discussion of increased reliance on-- 7,a7 civilian marine inspectors2 7,b7 experienced licensed mariners2 7,c7 retired members of the ,coast ,guard2 7,d7 arranging for ,coast ,guard inspectors to ride onboard commercial oceangoing vessels documented under chapter #aba of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 to gain experience and insight2 and 7,e7 extending tour-lengths for ,coast ,guard marine safety officers assigned to inspection billets4 7e7 ,audits2 ,coast ,guard attendance and performance ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall-- 7#a7 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 audits2 and 7#b7 perform a quality assurance audit of recognized organization representation and performance regarding ,united ,states-flagged vessels4 #aa4 ,major marine casualty property damage threshold ,section #faja7;i77#c7 of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking #ejj1jjj and inserting #b1jjj1jjj4 #ab4 ,reviews1 briefings1 and reports 7a7 ,major conversion determinations 7#a7 ,review of policies and procedures ,the ,commandant shall conduct a review of policies and procedures for making and documenting major conversion determinations1 including an examination of the deference given to precedent4 7#b7 ,briefing ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing on the findings of the review required by paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,ventilators1 openings and stability standards 7#a7 ,review ,note later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall complete a review of the effectiveness of ,united ,states regulations1 international conventions1 recognized organizations' class rules1 and ,coast ,guard technical policy regarding-- 7,a7 ventilators and other hull openings2 7,b7 fire dampers and other closures protecting openings normally open during operations2 and 7,c7 intact and damage stability standards under subchapter ,s of chapter ,i of title #df1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7#b7 ,briefing ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing on the effectiveness of the regulations1 international conventions1 recognized organizations' class rules1 and ,coast ,guard technical policy reviewed under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,self-,locating datum marker buoys ,not later than #f months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing on the reliability of self-locating datum marker buoys and other similar technology used during ,coast ,guard search-and-rescue operations4 ,the briefing shall include a description of reasonable steps the ,commandant could take to increase the reliability of such buoys1 including the potential to leverage technology used by the ,navy1 and how protocols could be developed to conduct testing of such buoys before using them for operations4 7d7 ,oversight program2 effectiveness 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commandant shall commission an assessment of the effectiveness of the ,coast ,guard's oversight of recognized organizations and its impact on compliance by and safety of vessels inspected by such organizations4 7#b7 ,experience ,the assessment commissioned under paragraph 7#a7 shall be conducted by a research organization with significant experience in maritime operations and marine safety4 7#c7 ,submission to congress ,not later than #ahj days after the date that the assessment required under paragraph 7#a7 is completed1 the ,commandant shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate the results of such assessment4 #ac4 ,flag-,state guidance and supplements 7a7 ,freight vessels2 damage control information ,within #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall issue flag-,state guidance for all freight vessels documented under chapter #aba of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 built before ,january #a1 #aiib1 regarding the inclusion of comprehensive damage control information in safety management plans required under chapter #cb of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,recognized organizations2 ,united ,states supplement ,the ,commandant shall-- 7#a7 work with recognized organizations to create a single ,united ,states ,supplement to rules of such organizations for classification of vessels2 and 7#b7 by not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing on whether it is necessary to revise part #h of title #df1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 to authorize only one ,united ,states ,supplement to such rules4 #ad4 ,marine safety strategy ,section #baaf of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking each year of an annual and inserting of a triennial2 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,annual and inserting ,triennial2 and 7,b7 by striking annual each place it appears and inserting triennial2 7#c7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by striking fiscal year #bjaa and each fiscal year and inserting fiscal year #bjbj and triennially2 and 7,b7 by striking annual plan and inserting triennial plan2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7d77#b71 by striking annually and inserting triennially4 #ae4 ,recognized organizations2 oversight 7a7 ,in general ,section #ccaf of title #df1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by redesignating subsection 7g7 as subsection 7h71 and by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following3 7g7 7#a7 ,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 ,guard4 7#b7 ,the staff of the office shall include subject matter experts1 including inspectors1 investigators1 and auditors1 who possess the capability and authority to audit all aspects of such recognized organizations4 7#c7 ,in this subsection the term recognized organization has the meaning given that term in section #b4de-a of title #df1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 as in effect on the date of the enactment of the ,maritime ,safety ,act of #bjah4 4 7b7 ,deadline for establishment ,the ,commandant of the ,coast ,guard shall establish the office required by the amendment made by subsection 7a7 by not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #af4 ,timely weather forecasts ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 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 timely synoptic and graphical chart weather forecasts4 #ag4 ,marine safety implementation status ,not later than ,december #ai of #bjah1 and of each of the #b subsequent years thereafter1 the ,commandant shall provide to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a briefing on the status of implementation of each action outlined in the ,commandant's final action memo dated ,december #ai1 #bjag1 regarding the sinking and loss of the vessel ,el ,faro4 ,november #ac1 #bjah ,committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed