Captain of the port authorities over unmanned maritime systems

Subchapter I of chapter 700 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 70008. Captain of the port authorities over unmanned maritime systems (a) In general For the purposes of sections 70002, 70022, 70051, and 70116, and any regulations or orders issued thereunder, an unmanned maritime system shall be treated as a vessel. (b) Enforcement Any violations involving an unmanned maritime system shall be subject to enforcement and penalties under sections 70036, 70052, 70019, and 70120, as appropriate. (c) Special authority beyond territorial sea (1) In general The Commandant of the Coast Guard is authorized to order an unmanned maritime system, consistent with customary international law, to operate or anchor in a manner the Commandant directs if the Commandant considers such order necessary— (A) for the promotion of safety of life and property on the artificial islands, installations, or other devices referred to in section 4(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333(a)), and the waters adjacent thereto; (B) protection of the marine environment; or (C) protection of sovereign rights with respect to marine scientific research in the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the outer Continental Shelf. (2) Violation A violation of an order issued under this subsection shall be treated as a violation under this chapter and section 70036 shall apply. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Unmanned maritime system The term unmanned maritime system means a self-propelled watercraft that navigates on the surface or subsurface of the water and is designed to operate without human operators onboard or a tether to a vessel. (2) Marine environment The term marine environment has the meaning given the term in section 70031 of title 46, United States Code. (3) Exclusive economic zone The term Exclusive Economic Zone has the meaning given the term Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States in Presidential Proclamation 5030. (4) Outer continental shelf The term outer Continental Shelf has the meaning given the term in section 2(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(a))..