Our system works like this: when motivated for one reason or another Congress writes and passes legislation or statutory laws (aka the United States Code, or USC). Once signed into law by the President they’re then handed off to the appropriate executive branch agency, which in our case is the U.S. Coast Guard, which then must implement the new law by writing regulations (aka the Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR’s). It is these regulations, be they good or bad, that we have to live with every working day.
Pending Legislation
- Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 3619) – September 22, 2009
- Maritime Safety Act of 2009 (H.R. 2652)
- Maritime Workforce Development Act (H.R. 2651)
- Coast Guard Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2650)
- Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2009 (S.685)
Active Regulatory Projects – Notices, Notices of Proposed Rule Making, & Interim Rules
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Inspection Of Towing Vessels – August 11, 2011
- Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, and Changes to Domestic Endorsements – August 1, 2011
- Notice of policy revision & request for comments: Revision to NVIC 11-93, Applicability of Tonnage Measurement Systems to U.S. Flag Vessels – March 5, 2010
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression Systems on Commercial Vessels – February 24, 2010
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Implementation of the 1995 Ammendments to the International Convention on Standards for Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 – November 17, 2009
- Interim Rule – request for comments: Pollution Prevention Equipment – January 16, 2009
- Interim Rule – request for comments: Dry Cargo Residue Discharges in the Great Lakes – September 29, 2008
- Notice – request for comments: Inspection of Towing Vessels – December 30, 2004 ***As ordered by, literally, an Act of Congress, the Notice of Proposed Rule Making must be published no later than January 15, 2011 and the Final Rule is due by October 15, 2011***
Enacted Legislation
- Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 – Public Law 111-281 – October 15, 2010
- Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 – Public Law 108-293
- Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 – Public Law 107-295
- Oil Pollution Act of 1990
- Ports & Waterways Safety Act of 1972
Completed Regulatory Projects – Final Rules
- Establishment of Suspension & Revocation National Center of Excellence – June 29, 2009
- Consolidation of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials – March 16, 2009 ***This rule did away with the traditional license despite broad opposition from mariners***
- Training & Service Requirements for Merchant Marine Officers – September 11, 2008 ***This rule implemented the infamous Towing Vessel Officer 30-Day Wonder Program despite warnings from CG-certified Designated Examiners and significant mariner opposition***
- Fire-Suppression Systems & Voyage Planning for Towing Vessels – June 18, 2004
- Implementation of National Maritime Security Initiatives – October 22, 2003
- Area Maritime Security – October 22, 2003
- Vessel Security – October 22, 2003
- Facility Security – October 22, 2003
- Automatic Identification System (AIS) Vessel Carriage Requirement – October 22, 2003
- Territorial Seas, Navigable Waters & Jurisdiction – July 18, 2003
- Licensing & Manning for Officers of Towing Vessels – June 17, 2003
- Emergency Control Measures for Tank Barges – May 19, 2000
- Operational Measures To Reduce Oil Spills From Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls – July 30, 1996
- Navigation Safety Equipment for Towing Vessels – July 3, 1996
Towing Vessel License Rulemaking History
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – June 19, 1996
- Notice of Public Meeting; Request for Comments – August 26, 1996
- Notice of Intent – December 18, 1996
- Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – October 27, 1997
- Notice of Public Meeting; Request for Comments – October 21, 1998
- Interim Rule with Request for Comments – November 19, 1999
- Interim Rule with Request for Comments – May 26, 2001
- Final Rule – June 17, 2003
U.S. House & Senate Committees and Subcommittees
- House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
- House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
- Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
- Senate Surface Transportation & Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security Subcommittee
- Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries & Coast Guard Subcommittee
Towmasters: the Master of Towing Vessels Assoc. Forum 
[…] fare better with a doctor that you can see versus a doctor that you can't see (in WVA). Click here and take a look at all the pending legislation. Especially the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2009 […]
By: Cummings: National Maritime Center delays 'unacceptable' - gCaptain Forum on July 15, 2009
at 10:09 pm