Sec. 403. Providing requirements for vessels anchored in established anchorage grounds

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Section 70006 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall define and establish anchorage grounds in the navigable waters of the United States for vessels operating in such waters. In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into account all relevant factors concerning navigational safety, protection of the marine environment, proximity to undersea pipelines and cables, safe and efficient use of Marine Transportation System, and national security.

Vessels, of certain sizes or type determined by the Secretary, shall— set and maintain an anchor alarm for the duration of an anchorage; comply with any directions or orders issued by the Captain of the Port; and comply with any applicable anchorage regulations. A vessel may not— anchor in any Federal navigation channel unless authorized or directed to by the Captain of the Port; anchor in near proximity, within distances determined by the Coast Guard, to an undersea pipeline or cable, unless authorized or directed to by the Captain of the Port; and anchor or remain anchored in an anchorage ground during any period in which the Captain of the Port orders closure of the anchorage ground due to inclement weather, navigational hazard, a threat to the environment, or other safety or security concern.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a vessel from taking actions necessary to maintain the safety of the vessel or to prevent the loss of life or property. . Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall complete a review of existing anchorage regulations and identify regulations that may need modification— in the interest of marine safety, security, and environmental concerns, taking into account undersea pipelines, cables, or other infrastructure; and to implement the amendments made by this section.

Upon completion of the review under paragraph (1), but not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that summarizes the review. The table of sections for chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 70006 and inserting the following: 70006.

Anchorage grounds. . The amendments made by subsection

(a)may not be construed to alter any existing rules, regulations, or final agency actions issued under section 70006 of title 46, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act until all regulations required under subsection

(b)take effect.