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Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§15106 National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee

Title 46 › Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen › Part K — National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees › CHAPTER 151 — NATIONAL MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEES › § 15106

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates a National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee that must advise the Secretary on matters tied to exploring offshore mineral and energy resources, but only about issues the Coast Guard handles. The Secretary appoints 15 members. Each member must have real knowledge and experience about offshore work. The 15 must include: 2 from petroleum producers; 2 from offshore drilling; 2 from vessels that support offshore work; 1 from offshore facility construction; 1 from diving services; 1 from safety and training services; 1 from subsea engineering, construction, or ROV support; 2 offshore workers (one with recent hands‑on vessel or unit experience); 1 from national environmental or response groups; 1 from entities doing Outer Continental Shelf oil work near Alaska; and 1 who represents the general public (not a specific environmental group).

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §15106

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment.—
There is established a National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
(b)Function.—
The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to activities directly involved with, or in support of, the exploration of offshore mineral and energy resources, to the extent that such matters are within the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.
(c)Membership.—
(1)In general.—
The Committee shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.
(2)Expertise.—
Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.
(3)Representation.—
Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:
(A)2 members shall represent entities engaged in the production of petroleum.
(B)2 members shall represent entities engaged in offshore drilling.
(C)2 members shall represent entities engaged in the support, by offshore supply vessels or other vessels, of offshore operations.
(D)1 member shall represent entities engaged in the construction of offshore facilities.
(E)1 member shall represent entities providing diving services to the offshore industry.
(F)1 member shall represent entities providing safety and training services to the offshore industry.
(G)1 member shall represent entities providing subsea engineering, construction, or remotely operated vehicle support to the offshore industry.
(H)2 members shall represent individuals employed in offshore operations and, of the 2, 1 shall have recent practical experience on a vessel or offshore unit involved in the offshore industry.
(I)1 member shall represent national environmental entities and entities providing environmental protection, compliance, or response services to the offshore industry.
(J)1 member shall represent entities engaged in offshore oil exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to Alaska.
(K)1 member shall represent the general public (but not a specific environmental group).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(1), substituted “operations” for “mineral and oil operations, including geophysical services”. Subsec. (c)(3)(D). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(2), struck out “exploration and recovery” before “facilities.” Subsec. (c)(3)(E). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(3), substituted “providing diving services to the offshore industry” for “engaged in diving services related to offshore

Construction

, inspection, and maintenance”. Subsec. (c)(3)(F). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(4), substituted “providing safety and training services to the offshore industry” for “engaged in safety and training services related to offshore exploration and

Construction

”. Subsec. (c)(3)(G). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(5), substituted “providing subsea engineering,

Construction

, or remotely operated vehicle support to the offshore industry” for “engaged in pipelaying services related to offshore

Construction

”. Subsec. (c)(3)(H). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(6), struck out “mineral and energy” before “industry.” Subsec. (c)(3)(I). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(7), inserted “and entities providing environmental protection, compliance, or response services to the offshore industry” after “national environmental entities”. Subsec. (c)(3)(J). Pub. L. 116–283, § 8331(a)(8), substituted “entities engaged in offshore oil exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to Alaska” for “deepwater ports”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 15106

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110