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HR 5428 IH

To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to issue regulations requiring pilots of certain vessels to carry and utilize a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes, and for other purposes.

February 13, 2008

Mrs. TAUSCHER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to issue regulations requiring pilots of certain vessels to carry and utilize a portable electronic device equipped for navigational purposes, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Vessel Navigation and Safety Improvement Act'.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR PILOTS TO CARRY AND UTILIZE PORTABLE ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL DEVICE.

(a) In General- The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall issue regulations that--

(1) require that any pilot licensed under subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, while serving under the authority of that license as a pilot on a covered vessel, shall carry and utilize a portable electronic device that is--

(A) equipped for navigational purposes; and

(B) capable of being connected to an Automatic Identification System, in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Chapter V, Regulation 19.2; and

(2) require such pilots to obtain training in the use of such electronic devices, and prescribe requirements for such training.

(b) Deadlines for Compliance- The regulations shall require such pilots to--

(1) carry and utilize electronic devices pursuant to subsection (a)(1) by no later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) begin training pursuant to subsection (a)(2) by no later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Exemptions- The Commandant may exempt a pilot from the requirement under subsection (a)(1) if the Commandant certifies that a portable electronic device is not necessary for the safe navigation of a covered vessel on the waters where the pilot operates.

(d) Covered Vessel Defined- In this section the term `covered vessel' means a self-propelled, commercial vessel of 300 gross tons or more.