[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7029-S7030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 3042. A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to require the 
Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to 
prescribe additional regulations to secure the safety of individuals 
and property on board certain small passenger vessels, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Small 
Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 2019''.
  This bill would prevent future tragedies like the one that happened 
onboard the Conception passenger vessel off the coast of Santa Cruz 
Island, California. This was the worst maritime disaster in modern 
California history, and my thoughts continue to be with the victims and 
their loved ones.
  On September 2, 2019, thirty-four people were tragically killed 
onboard the vessel when a fire started while passengers were sleeping 
below deck after a nighttime swim. The victims of the boat fire--
thirty-three passengers and one crewmember--were athletes, immigrants, 
CEO's, and students. All were united by love of the water, marine life, 
and their adventurous spirit.
  The Conception boat fire was a tragedy that must never be allowed to 
happen again. Reports indicate the fire consumed the boat, including 
the salon, galley compartment, and the aft deck, and causes include 
overloading of the electric system, possibly from rechargeable devices 
with lithium ion batteries. The lack of an interconnected fire alarm 
system throughout the vessel meant passengers and crew were not made 
aware of the fire until key areas of escape were already engulfed. 
Critical time--time that could have saved lives--was lost. This bill 
addresses these issues and potential causes.
  While investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and 
the Coast Guard are still ongoing, it is

[[Page S7030]]

clear regulatory changes are needed to ensure small passenger vessels 
have the right safety measures in place to limit the possibility of 
fire and help evacuate the vessel of passengers in the event a fire 
does start.
  The Conception is one of about 325 small passenger vessels built 
before 1996 and exempt from stricter safety standards imposed on newer 
vessels.
  This bill offers a number of common-sense provisions that will 
improve passenger vessel safety. These include: requiring these types 
of vessels to have no less than two avenues of escape from all areas 
accessible to passengers; mandating safety standards for the handling, 
storage and operation of lithium ion batteries; and, establishing 
standards for interconnected fire alarm systems.
  I appreciate the hard work of the National Transportation Safety 
Board and the U.S. Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate. 
I especially appreciate the Commandant's Marine Safety Information 
Bulletin issued on September 10 reminding owners, operators and masters 
of passenger vessels to adhere to the regulations related to 
firefighting, lifesaving, emergency preparation and means of escape. 
And, more specifically, I appreciate the attention to the issue of 
unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and the extensive use of 
power strips and extension cords.
  Given the horrific nature of this tragedy, it is imperative that we 
establish stricter safety standards onboard these boats where so many 
children and families have such enjoyment. I believe this bill is a 
pragmatic, commonsense solution to improve safety on these older 
vessels, and I urge it to be included in the Coast Guard 
Reauthorization Act.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
                                 ______