H.R. 4005 — what changed

Section 3316 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g), and by inserting after subsection (e) the following:

“(f)

“(1) Upon request of an owner or operator of an offshore supply vessel, the Secretary shall delegate the authorities set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) with respect to such vessel to a classification society to which a delegation is authorized under that paragraph. A delegation by the Secretary under this subsection shall be used for any vessel inspection and examination function carried out by the Secretary, including the issuance of certificates of inspection and all other related documents.

“(2) If the Secretary determines that a certificate of inspection or related document issued under authority delegated under paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect to a vessel has reduced the operational safety of that vessel, the Secretary may terminate the certificate or document, respectively.

changed “(3) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, and for each year of the subsequent 2-year period, the Secretary 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 report describing—

“(A) the number of vessels for which a delegation was made under paragraph (1);

“(B) any savings in personnel and operational costs incurred by the Coast Guard that resulted from the delegations; and

“(C) based on measurable marine casualty and other data, any impacts of the delegations on the operational safety of vessels for which the delegations were made, and on the crew on those vessels.”

“3104. Survival craft

“(a) Requirement to Equip—The Secretary shall require that a passenger vessel be equipped with survival craft that ensures that no part of an individual is immersed in water, if—

“(1) such vessel is built or undergoes a major conversion after January 1, 2016; and

“(2) operates in cold waters as determined by the Secretary.

changed “(b) Higher Standard of Safety—The Secretary may revise part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect before January 1, 2016, if such revision provides a higher standard of safety than is provided by the regulations in effect on or before the date of enactment of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.

changed “(c) Innovative and Novel Designs—The Secretary may, in lieu of the requirements set out in part 117 or part 180 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, allow a passenger vessel to be equipped with a life saving appliance or arrangement of an innovative or novel design that—

“(1) ensures no part of an individual is immersed in water; and

“(2) provides an equal or higher standard of safety than is provided by such requirements as in effect before such date of enactment.

“(d) Built Defined—In this section, the term built has the meaning that term has under section 4503(e).”