110 HR 5428 IH: Vessel Navigation and Safety U.S. House of Representatives 2008-02-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5428 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 13, 2008 Mrs. Tauscher introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to issue regulations requiring pilots of certain vessels to carry and utilize a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act.

2.

Requirement for pilots to carry and utilize portable electronic navigational device

(a)

In general

The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall issue regulations that— (1)require that any pilot licensed under subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, while serving under the authority of that license as a pilot on a covered vessel, shall carry and utilize a portable electronic device that is— (A)equipped for navigational purposes; and (B)capable of being connected to an Automatic Identification System, in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Chapter V, Regulation 19.2; and (2)require such pilots to obtain training in the use of such electronic devices, and prescribe requirements for such training. (b)

Deadlines for compliance

The regulations shall require such pilots to— (1)carry and utilize electronic devices pursuant to subsection (a)(1) by no later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2)begin training pursuant to subsection (a)(2) by no later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c)

Exemptions

The Commandant may exempt a pilot from the requirement under subsection (a)(1) if the Commandant certifies that a portable electronic device is not necessary for the safe navigation of a covered vessel on the waters where the pilot operates. (d)

Covered vessel defined

In this section the term covered vessel means a self-propelled, commercial vessel of 300 gross tons or more.