Sec. 406. Towing vessels operating outside the boundary line
572 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/s/2297/rs/section-406A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section— the term Boundary Line has the meaning given the term in section 103 of title 46, United States Code; the term Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection has the meaning given the term in section 3305(d)(4) of title 46, United States Code; and the term Secretary means the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating. A towing vessel described in subsection
(c)is exempt from any additional requirements of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, and chapter I of title 33 and chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), that would result solely from such vessel operating outside the Boundary Line, if— the vessel is operating outside the Boundary Line solely to perform regular harbor assist operations; the voyage of the vessel occurring outside of the Boundary Line— is less than 12 hours in total duration; originates and ends in the inspection zone of a single Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection; and occurs no further than 10 nautical miles from the Boundary Line; the vessel is approved for operations outside the Boundary Line by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection and the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center; and the vessel has sufficient manning and lifesaving equipment for all persons on board, in accordance with part 15 and section 141.225 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). This section applies to a towing vessel— that is subject to inspection under chapter 33 of title 46, United States Code, and subchapter M of chapter I of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); with only Lakes, Bays, and Sounds or Rivers routes recorded on such vessel’s certificate of inspection under section 136.230 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and that is operating as a harbor assist vessel and regularly engaged in harbor assist operations, including the docking, undocking, mooring, unmooring, and escorting of vessels with limited maneuverability. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection for an inspection zone may restrict operations under the interim exemption provided under subsection
(b)for safety purposes. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection for an inspection zone shall maintain a comprehensive list, updated periodically, of all towing vessels described in subsection
(c)that operate in the inspection zone. Not later than 24 hours prior to intended operations outside of the Boundary Line, a towing vessel exempted under subsection
(b)shall notify the Office in Charge, Marine Inspection for the inspection zone of such operations. Such notification shall include— the date, time, and length of voyage; a crew list, with each crew member’s credentials and work hours; and an attestation from the master of the towing vessel that the vessel has sufficient manning and lifesaving equipment for all persons on board. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the following: The impacts of the interim exemption provided under this section. Any safety concerns regarding the expiration of such interim exemption. Whether such interim exemption should be extended. The interim exemption provided under subsection
(b)shall terminate on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.