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Coast Guard Authorization Bill
Clears Conference Committee

May 2006

Early last month, House and Senate conferees agreed to an $8.7 billion authorization for the U.S. Coast Guard for fiscal year 2006. The conference report to accompany H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, includes provisions intended to allow the agency to perform its missions involving homeland security, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and fisheries enforcement. Commenting on the overall conference report, U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, stated, “This agreement provides the good men and women of the Coast Guard, who performed so well in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the resources to carry out their vital missions.” Young also chaired the conference committee. The conference report to accompany H.R. 889 includes the following provisions: Authorizes the Coast Guard to temporarily extend the expiration of licenses and documents for mariners that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and certificates of inspection and compliance for vessels that are inspected by marine safety offices that are located in the impacted region. Defines (in the U.S. Code) a riding gang member on a U.S.-flag vessel as a non-U.S. citizen or permanent alien who is used to perform certain limited repair functions on the vessels. A riding gang member also is defined as someone who isn’t part of the crew; doesn’t possess a z-card or license; doesn’t perform watchstanding, automated engine room duty watch or personnel safety functions; doesn’t do longshore work; isn’t a member of the steward department; and doesn’t come from a nation named by the U.S. as a sponsor of terrorism. Stipulates that no ship may carry more than 12 riding gang members at once, and that companies employing foreign riding gangs must certify that they first tried to hire U.S. citizens to do the work (and that no U.S. citizens are available for the jobs). Provides a $1.6 billion funding level for the Integrated Deepwater Systems (Deepwater) Program, the Coast Guard’s program to replace or modernize the ships and aircraft used in the Coast Guard’s deepwater missions. Authorizes the Coast Guard to establish Naval Vessel Protection Zones up to 12 nautical miles offshore. Authorizes the Coast Guard to conduct international training and to provide technical assistance to international navies, coast guards and maritime authorities during regular Coast Guard operations. Authorizes the Coast Guard to inspect ferries for maritime safety purposes; Requires the Coast Guard to detail adequate personnel to assure that Great Lakes pilotage rates are adjusted annually. Requires the Coast Guard to develop a long-term plan to recapitalize the service’s polar icebreakers. Promotes the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on U.S.-flag vessels; Establishes a long-range vessel tracking system pilot project. Adjusts oil spill liability limits for tank and non-tank vessels to reflect changes in inflation. Authorizes the federal government to purchase any property that was the principal residence of a member or related employee of the Coast Guard that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas. Requires the Coast Guard to report to Congress on the additional costs associated with the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricane Katrina.