U.S. Senate Passes Coast Guard Authorization

Coast Guard authorization legislation, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 15, 2011, was passed by the U.S. Senate (with amendments) on September 22, 2012. Among other things, the Senate-passed version of the legislation would – (1) create a fund for seafarers stranded in the U.S. during vessel investigations; (2) amend the Maritime Security Program; (3) strengthen restrictions on Jones Act waivers; (4) strengthen cruise vessel passenger security requirements; and (5) exempt U.S.-flag vessels from certain notice of arrival requirements.The differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the legislation must be now reconciled for the measure to be enacted into law during the lame duck session of Congress after federal elections.