Remotely crewed offshore supply vessel pilot program

(a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall establish a pilot program to allow operation of remotely crewed offshore supply vessels described in subsection (b) in the Gulf of America. (b) Eligible vessels Eligible vessels that may participate in the pilot program shall be limited to coastwise qualified vessels documented and endorsed under section 12112 of title 46, United States Code, which are remotely operated offshore supply vessels that have been built or repaired in United States shipyards within 5 years of the date of enactment of this Act, do not exceed 6,000 deadweight tons, and are not longer than 350 feet in overall length. (c) Waiver of certain requirements The Commandant shall modify or waive applicable vessel design and construction regulations regarding crew accommodations and related requirements, as necessary, to allow the vessels operating in the pilot program described in subsection (a) to operate in the Gulf of America while ensuring navigation safety and the reliable, safe and secure operation of such vessels. (d) Geographic limitations The vessels operating under the pilot program established under subsection (a) shall only be allowed to operate remotely within the Gulf of America beyond 12 nautical miles from shore. (e) Operating requirements All operating functions of vessels operating under the pilot program established under subsection (a), including navigation, engineering, and vessel monitoring, shall be performed by credentialed United States citizens under standards established by the Coast Guard. The crew complement for each vessel shall be identical in size and certification to the currently required crew complement for vessels of this type, size and power. (f) Report required During the course of the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Commandant shall provide semiannual reports on the pilot program to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, which shall include— (1) a description on the number of vessels participating in the pilot program; (2) the number of voyages conducted by such vessels; and (3) any information deemed relevant by the Commandant on the operation of such vessels in the pilot program. (g) Length of pilot program The pilot program described in subsection (a) is authorized for a period of 5 years commencing on the date on which the Coast Guard establishes such pilot program.