    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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 technical assistance to expand waste
    management systems internationally; 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

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    (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
    materials 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
    discharge 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
    infrastructure 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
    discharges, 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 paragraph (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

    [[Page 3744]]

    Lakes Region and getting rid of harmful debris, such as microplastics,
    abandoned vessels, and other forms of pollution that are threatening 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

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    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 commercial
    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 important
    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 mariners, 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 Commandant 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
    effectiveness 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
    management 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
    management plans in addressing the impact of heavy weather.

    (c) Report.-- <> Not later than 18 months
    after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall
    submit to the

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    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
    subsection (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 Transportation 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

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    to amend regulation 25 of chapter II-1 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 (as that term is defined in section
    2101 of title 46, United States Code), that connects 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:
    ``Sec. 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 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 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 Infrastructure 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 documented 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 appropriations,
    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 retrievable.

    [[Page 3748]]

    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 Commandant shall
    implement an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections segment to the sector
    commander indoctrination course for prospective 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
    responsibilities, 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
    surveyors authorized by the Coast Guard to conduct
    inspections.

    (d) Coast Guard Inspections Staff; 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 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
    experience 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

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    (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 CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Major Conversion Determinations.--
    (1) Review of policies and procedures.--The Commandant 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 Infrastructure 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
    subchapter S of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal
    Regulations; and
    (D) lifesaving equipment for mariners, including
    survival 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 Infrastructure of the
    House of Representatives a briefing on the effectiveness of the
    regulations, international conventions, recognized
    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 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 reliability of self-locating datum
    marker buoys and other similar technology used during Coast Guard
    search-and-rescue operations. 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

    [[Page 3750]]

    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 oversight
    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 Committee 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 Supplement.--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

    [[Page 3751]]

    (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 Representatives 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.

    [[Page 3752]]

    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
    anonymous safety alert pilot program.

    (b) Requirements.--The pilot program established under subsection
    (a) shall provide an anonymous reporting mechanism to allow crew members
    to communicate urgent and dire safety concerns 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 Commandant'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 Transportation 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 alternative 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 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 implementation of subsection (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
    appropriations, 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--

    [[Page 3753]]

    (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 performance,
    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,
    academia, nonprofit organizations, and other Federal agencies;
    (3) increase awareness among Blue Technology manufacturers,
    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
    professional 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
    Commandant 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 representatives 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 Technology
    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
    technology, 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
    communications;
    (ii) search and rescue;
    (iii) emergency response;
    (iv) maritime law enforcement;
    (v) marine inspections and investigations; or

    [[Page 3754]]

    (vi) protection and conservation of the marine
    environment.

    Approved October 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.