Salvage and marine firefighting response capability

(a) Salvage and marine firefighting response capability Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (10) Salvage and marine firefighting response capability (A) In general The President, acting through the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating unless otherwise delegated by the President, may require— (i) periodic inspection of vessels and salvage equipment, firefighting equipment, and other major marine casualty response equipment on or associated with vessels; (ii) periodic verification of capabilities to appropriately, and in a timely manner, respond to a marine casualty, including— (I) drills, with or without prior notice; (II) review of contracts and relevant third-party agreements; (III) testing of equipment; (IV) review of training; and (V) other evaluations of marine casualty response capabilities, as determined appropriate by the President; and (iii) carrying of appropriate response equipment for responding to a marine casualty that employs the best technology economically feasible and that is compatible with the safe operation of the vessel. (B) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Marine casualty The term marine casualty means a marine casualty that is required to be reported pursuant to paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 6101 of title 46, United States Code. (ii) Salvage equipment The term salvage equipment means any equipment that is capable of being used to assist a vessel in potential or actual danger in order to prevent loss of life, damage or destruction of the vessel or its cargo, or release of its contents into the marine environment.. (b) Report to Congress (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on— (A) the state of marine firefighting authorities, jurisdiction, and plan review; and (B) other considerations with respect to fires at waterfront facilities (including vessel fires) and vessel fires on the navigable waters (as such term is defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)). (2) Contents In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall— (A) examine— (i) collaboration among Federal and non-Federal entities for purposes of reducing the risks to local communities of fires described in paragraph (1); (ii) the prevalence and frequency of such fires; and (iii) the extent to which firefighters and marine firefighters are aware of the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, including lithium-ion batteries used for vehicles, and how to respond to such fires; (B) review methods of documenting and sharing best practices throughout the maritime community for responding to vessel fires; and (C) make recommendations for— (i) preparing for, responding to, and training for such fires; (ii) clarifying roles and responsibilities of Federal and non-Federal entities in preparing for, responding to, and training for such fires; and (iii) other topics for consideration.

(a) Salvage and marine firefighting response capability Section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (10) Salvage and marine firefighting response capability (A) In general The President, acting through the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating unless otherwise delegated by the President, may require— (i) periodic inspection of vessels and salvage equipment, firefighting equipment, and other major marine casualty response equipment on or associated with vessels; (ii) periodic verification of capabilities to appropriately, and in a timely manner, respond to a marine casualty, including— (I) drills, with or without prior notice; (II) review of contracts and relevant third-party agreements; (III) testing of equipment; (IV) review of training; and (V) other evaluations of marine casualty response capabilities, as determined appropriate by the President; and (iii) carrying of appropriate response equipment for responding to a marine casualty that employs the best technology economically feasible and that is compatible with the safe operation of the vessel. (B) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Marine casualty The term marine casualty means a marine casualty that is required to be reported pursuant to paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 6101 of title 46, United States Code. (ii) Salvage equipment The term salvage equipment means any equipment that is capable of being used to assist a vessel in potential or actual danger in order to prevent loss of life, damage or destruction of the vessel or its cargo, or release of its contents into the marine environment.. (b) Report to Congress (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on— (A) the state of marine firefighting authorities, jurisdiction, and plan review; and (B) other considerations with respect to fires at waterfront facilities (including vessel fires) and vessel fires on the navigable waters (as such term is defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)). (2) Contents In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall— (A) examine— (i) collaboration among Federal and non-Federal entities for purposes of reducing the risks to local communities of fires described in paragraph (1); (ii) the prevalence and frequency of such fires; and (iii) the extent to which firefighters and marine firefighters are aware of the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, including lithium-ion batteries used for vehicles, and how to respond to such fires; (B) review methods of documenting and sharing best practices throughout the maritime community for responding to vessel fires; and (C) make recommendations for— (i) preparing for, responding to, and training for such fires; (ii) clarifying roles and responsibilities of Federal and non-Federal entities in preparing for, responding to, and training for such fires; and (iii) other topics for consideration.