Near shore cable laying barges

(a) In general Until the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may not enforce citizenship requirements under section 8103 of title 46, United States Code, or the credentialing requirements under section 8701 of title 46, United States Code, with respect to a covered individual. (b) Training Until the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall ensure that operators of near shore cable lay vertical trenching injector equipment on barges on which covered individuals serve— (1) develop processes and requirements for conducting certification and training for such individuals; and (2) certify and train a sufficient cadre of qualified individuals. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered individual The term covered individual means an individual, including a near shore cable lay vertical trenching injector operator or near shore cable laying vertical trenching injector support personnel, who is— (A) engaged on board a barge for the purpose of operating specialized equipment, including a vertical trenching injector, necessary to lay near shore power cable in support of non-mineral energy exploration, development, and production; and (B) not— (i) included in the complement of licensed individuals to be stated in the certificate of inspection issued under chapter 33 of title 46, United States Code, to be necessary by the certificate of inspection or to ensure the safe navigation of such barge; or (ii) a member of the steward’s department on such barge. (2) Qualified individual The term qualified individual means an individual qualified to— (A) serve on a vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, under section 8103 of such title; (B) receive a merchant mariner credential under section 8701 of title 46, United States Code; and (C) be available to operate and support the operation of specialized near shore cable lay vertical trenching injectors on barges that are documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code, in support of United States offshore non-mineral energy exploration, development, and production.