Senate panel backs Coast Guard reauthorization bill

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved a Coast Guard reauthorization bill Thursday that includes funds for ice-breakers, oil pollution prevention and alien smuggling enforcement, as well as funds for the Coast Guard's troubled modernization program.

The $8.2 billion Coast Guard reauthorization bill (S. 1892) was approved by voice vote Thursday, including $1 billion in funds for the Deepwater fleet upgrade program.

The panel adopted the bill without debate, even though the Deepwater program has drawn considerable scrutiny after numerous recent public failures including the decommissioning of the first eight patrol boats procured under the program after numerous problems were found.

Sponsored by Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the legislation authorizes 45,500 active duty Coast Guard personnel and changes the status of the vice commandant rank from a 3-star position to a 4-star, a move that brings the Coast Guard into better alignment with other armed forces.

The bill also strengthens the Coast Guard's ability to protect U.S. ports-of-entry and prosecute mariners who smuggle aliens on board their ships, but clarifies that protection will be given to those who unknowingly harbor stowaways or offer help to people in need of medical attention.

The Coast Guard fleet would get two new polar icebreakers, doubling the number of active vessels in use now for research and resupplying outposts in the Arctic and Antarctica. A report this year by the National Academy of Sciences recommended the two new icebreakers given concerns that international expeditions to the Arctic will increase competition in the region and threaten U.S. interests there, particularly as new oil and gas reserves are uncovered.

The bill would also require maintenance on the Loran-C navigation system used by general aviators, recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, as well as a backup to the military's GPS satellite-navigation system.

Preventing oil spills was also highlighted in this year's reauthorization bill. Cantwell included many of the provisions in her Oil Pollution Prevention and Response Act (S. 1620), including requiring the Coast Guard to work on prevention of spills resulting from human error, from transfer of oil to or from vessels at sea, and small oil spills. It would also require coordination with tribes on spill prevention, preparedness and response.

The panel also adopted several amendments by voice vote. An amendment by Cantwell would ensure that vessels conveyed for education, historic or cultural purposes to an institution are not sold or used for commercial or other inappropriate activities.

An amendment by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., would set a cap on penalties paid in class action suits by seamen on passenger vessels capable of carrying more than 500 passengers who are suing for unpaid wages. The cap on damage awards would be limited to ten times the amount of unpaid wages and suits must be filed within three years of the last voyage.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its version of the bill (H.R. 2830) on June 28.