§15102 National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee

Summary

Establishes a National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee that must give written advice to the Secretary about keeping vessels covered by chapter 45 safe. The committee must advise on navigation, safety gear and procedures, marine insurance, vessel design and upkeep, and crew qualifications and training. It must also review proposed regulations while they are being written and look at vessel accidents and investigations to recommend ways to make safety better and cut down on accidents. The committee has 18 members chosen by the Secretary. Members must have relevant experience. Ten represent the commercial fishing industry and together must reflect regional balance; each must have experience running covered vessels or working as crew or on fish-processing lines. The other members are one naval architect or marine engineer, one equipment manufacturer, one education/training professional, one underwriter, one vessel owner, and three public representatives (including, when possible, a maritime safety expert, a marine surveyor for these vessels, and someone familiar with fishing communities and fishermen’s families). At least 10 members are needed to send written recommendations. The Secretary may still act in an emergency to protect life at sea.