1625-0030 StatA

§ 1231

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

which is binding upon the United States in accordance with constitutional requirements,
may—
(1) require vessels in the vessel traffic service area to utilize or to comply with the vessel
traffic service, including the carrying or installation of equipment and devices as necessary for the use of the service; and
(2) waive, by order or regulation, the application of any United States law or regulation
concerning the design, construction, operation, equipment, personnel qualifications,
and manning standards for vessels operating
in waters over which the United States exercises jurisdiction if such vessel is not en route
to or from a United States port or place, and
if vessels en route to or from a United States
port or place are accorded equivalent waivers
of laws and regulations of the neighboring nation, when operating in waters over which
that nation exercises jurisdiction.
(d) Ship reporting systems
The Secretary, in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, is authorized
to implement and enforce two mandatory ship
reporting systems, consistent with international
law, with respect to vessels subject to such reporting systems entering the following areas of
the Atlantic Ocean: Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Great South Channel (in the area
generally bounded by a line starting from a
point on Cape Ann, Massachusetts at 42 deg. 39’
N., 70 deg. 37’ W; then northeast to 42 deg. 45’ N.,
70 deg. 13’ W; then southeast to 42 deg. 10’ N., 68
deg. 31 W, then south to 41 deg. 00’ N., 68 deg. 31’
W; then west to 41 deg. 00’ N., 69 deg. 17’ W; then
northeast to 42 deg. 05’ N., 70 deg. 02’ W, then
west to 42 deg. 04’ N., 70 deg. 10’ W; and then
along the Massachusetts shoreline of Cape Cod
Bay and Massachusetts Bay back to the point on
Cape Ann at 42 deg. 39’ N., 70 deg. 37’ W) and in
the coastal waters of the Southeastern United
States within about 25 nm along a 90 nm stretch
of the Atlantic seaboard (in an area generally
extending from the shoreline east to longitude
80 deg. 51.6’ W with the southern and northern
boundary at latitudes 30 deg. 00’ N., 31 deg. 27’
N., respectively).
(Pub. L. 92–340, § 11, as added Pub. L. 95–474, § 2,
Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1477; amended Pub. L.
105–383, title III, § 313, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat.
3424.)
AMENDMENTS
1998—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–383 added subsec. (d).

§ 1231. Regulations
(a) In general
In accordance with the provisions of section
553 of title 5, the Secretary shall issue, and may
from time to time amend or repeal, regulations
necessary to implement this chapter.
(b) Procedures
The Secretary, in the exercise of this regulatory authority, shall establish procedures for
consulting with, and receiving and considering
the views of all interested parties, including—
(1) interested Federal departments and agencies,

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(2) officials of State and local governments,
(3) representatives of the maritime community,
(4) representatives of port and harbor authorities or associations,
(5) representatives of environmental groups,
(6) any other interested parties who are
knowledgeable or experienced in dealing with
problems involving vessel safety, port and
waterways safety, and protection of the marine environment, and
(7) advisory committees consisting of all interested segments of the public when the establishment of such committees is considered
necessary because the issues involved are
highly complex or controversial.
(Pub. L. 92–340, § 12, as added Pub. L. 95–474, § 2,
Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1477.)
§ 1231a. Towing Safety Advisory Committee
(a) Establishment; membership
There is established a Towing Safety Advisory
Committee (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). The Committee shall consist of eighteen members with particular expertise, knowledge, and experience regarding shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety as follows:
(1) Seven members representing the barge
and towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance.
(2) One member representing the offshore
mineral and oil supply vessel industry.
(3) One member representing holders of active licensed Masters or Pilots of towing vessels with experience on the Western Rivers
and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
(4) One member representing the holders of
active licensed Masters of towing vessels in
offshore service.
(5) One member representing Masters who
are active ship-docking or harbor towing vessel.1
(6) One member representing licensed or unlicensed towing vessel engineers with formal
training and experience.
(7) Two members representing each of the
following groups:
(A) Port districts, authorities, or terminal
operators.
(B) Shippers (of whom at least one shall be
engaged in the shipment of oil or hazardous
materials by barge).
(8) Two members representing the general
public.
(b) Appointments; Chairman, Vice Chairman,
and observers; publication in Federal Register
The Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating (hereinafter referred to
as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall appoint the members
of the Committee. The Secretary shall designate
one of the members of the Committee as the
Chairman and one of the members as the Vice
Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as
Chairman in the absence or incapacity of, or in
the event of a vacancy in the office of, the
1 So

in original.