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H.R. 2830 - Proposed Vessel Crew Access Provision

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HR2830 is no longer an active bill, due to the 110th Congress failure to pass the legislation before adjourning in 2008. 

It is likely that legislation containing similar vessel crew access provisions will be reintroduced in the 111th Congress.

The Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 2830 This proposed bill would authorize more than $8.3 billion for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2008. The bill includes a provision, Section 306, that would require a marine terminal facility to provide a security system that allows crewmembers of vessels docked at the facility to board and depart from the vessel through the facility at no cost to the individual.   

 Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

Proposed Language for Vessel Crew Access Provision (HR 2830 § 306)

 

Reported Bill, September 20, 2007

SEC. 306. SEAMEN’S SHORESIDE ACCESS.

Each facility security plan approved under section 70103 (c) of title 46, United States Code, shall provide a system for seamen assigned to a vessel at the facility, pilots, and representatives of seamen’s welfare and labor organizations to board and depart the vessel through the facility in a timely manner at no cost to the individual.

  Report Language, September 20, 2007

Section 306 requires each facility security plan approved under section 70103 (c) of title 46, United States Code, to provide a system for seamen, pilots, ministers, and labor organizations to board and depart the vessel through the facility in a timely manner at no cost to the individual or the vessel.  This addresses a growing problem where these individuals or the vessel may be charged hundreds of dollars for being provided an escort through a facility when they board or depart a vessel.

 

Homeland Security Committee

Amended Language for Vessel Crew Access Provision (HR 2830 § 306)

 

Reported Bill, October 1, 2007

SEC. 306.  ACCESS FOR SEAMEN.

Seamen assigned to a vessel docked at a facility with a security plan approved under section 70103(c) of title 46, United States Code, and pilots and representatives of seamen’s welfare and labor organizations, who board and depart from the vessel in compliance with the provisions of the facility security plan shall be provided access through the facility at no cost to the individual.

 

  Report Language, October 1, 2007

Section 306 authorizes seamen, pilots, ministers, and labor organizations who board and depart a vessel in compliance with the provisions of the facility security plan to do a no cost.  The Committee is concerned about a growing problem where such individuals are being charged hundreds of dollars for an escort through a facility when boarding or departing vessels.

 

Updates, Comments & Other Reports

 

August 2008 The Senate’s version of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 (S 1892) is awaiting floor action.  This bill also includes language addressing vessel crew access through a facility that is identical to section 719 of HR 2830.  The last Coast Guard authorization bill was passed in 2004.

 

April 2008 On April 24, the House overwhelmingly passed The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007 (HR 2830).  The vote was 395-7.  Seven Republicans voted against the measure.  The White House cited several objections to the bill, most notably the requirement that the Coast Guard enforce security zones around liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.  President Bush has said that this would divert the Coast Guard from other high-priority missions and provide an “unwarranted subsidy” for LNG owners.  The bill also included the vessel crew access provision, section 719.  It would require a marine terminal to “provide” a security system that allows crewmembers of vessels docked at the facility to board and depart from the vessel through the facility at no cost to the individual. 

 

Following approval by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last June, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security, which rewrote the provision in a way that is fair to both terminals and vessel owners.  The amended language kept the fundamental purpose of the original section, which is to protect the individual crewmember, but it removed the language suggesting that terminals pay for security systems for screening and escorting crewmembers.  However, the bill that was sent to the House floor and approved on April 24 did not include the Homeland Security Committee’s version of that provision.  Rather, the bill included the original language written by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

 

December 2007 For the past several months, ILTA has been actively pursuing a reasonable vessel crew access provision.  Specifically, ILTA is working to ensure that the amended language proposed by the Homeland Security Committee is retained. The revised language keeps the fundamental purpose of the original provision, which is to protect the individual crewmember, but it removes the language that imposes on terminals the cost of providing a security system for screening and escorting crewmembers.

 

ILTA urges terminal companies to contact their congressional representatives and members of both the Homeland Security and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees regarding H.R. 2830 and the proposed vessel crew access provision. Let them know that the inclusion of the Homeland Security Committee’s language is of critical importance to the terminal industry.

 

Click here to find your Congressman.

 

Download a list of members of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the           House Committee on Homeland Security.

          

Download sample letters to the House Committees.  Each letter can be personalized and placed on company letterhead.

  • Homeland Security Committee (majority members)

  • Homeland Security Committee (minority members)

  • Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (majority members)

  • Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (minority members)

 

MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY ON H.R. 2830

Date

Committee

Status

December 18, 2007 House Committee on Energy & Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration through January 15, 2008.
October 30, 2007 House Committee on Judiciary Reported and referred to Committee on Energy & Commerce.
October 1, 2007 House Committee on Homeland Security Reported and referred to Committee on Judiciary. The reported bill included a revised version of Section 306 that included ILTA-suggested language.
September 20, 2007 House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Reported and referred to Committee on Homeland Security. Report clarified language in Section 306 to indicate that the cost of security screening for ships’ crews shall not be paid by the vessel.
June 28, 2007 House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Bill approved.
June 22, 2007   Bill introduced, referred to the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.

 

Related ILTA Articles

ILTA provides a monthly newsletter to its membership. Members may log in to the Member Resources page to access archived newsletters. The following is a list of articles ILTA has published in its newsletter relating to H.R. 2830 –Vessel Crew Access Provision.

 

  • Coast Guard Issues Guidance on Shore Leave Through Facilities, May 2008 Issue (p.3)

  • ILTA Asks Members to Join Effort to Ensure Reasonable Vessel Access Crew Provision, November 2007 Issue (p.2)

  • House Committee Adopts ILTA Language on Vessel Crew Access Provision, October 2007 Issue (p.2)

  • ILTA Continues Meetings with House Committees on Vessel Crew Access Provision, September 2007 Issue (p.2)

  • Vessel Crew Access Provision Could Increase Security Costs for Terminals, August 2007 Issue (p.2)

 

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