EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN VESSELS USED AS MEMORIALS TO MERCHANT MARINERS FROM PASSENGER SHIP INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 303. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN VESSELS USED AS MEMORIALS TO MERCHANT MARINERS FROM PASSENGER SHIP INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS. (a) Section 3302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding the following new subsection: 104 STAT. 2984 “(l) (1) The Secretary may issue a permit exempting the following vessels from the requirements of this part for passenger vessels so long as the vessels are owned by nonprofit organizations and operated as nonprofit memorials to merchant mariners: “(A) The steamship John W. Brown (United States official number 242209), owned by Project Liberty Ship Baltimore, Incorporated, located in Baltimore, Maryland. “(B) The steamship Lane Victory (United States official number 248094), owned by the United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, located in San Pedro, California. “(C) The steamship Jeremiah O’Brien (United States official number 243622), owned by the United States Maritime Administration. “(2) The Secretary may issue a permit for a specific voyage or for not more than one year. The Secretary may impose specific requirements about the number of passengers to be carried, manning, the areas or specific routes over which the vessel may operate, or other similar matters. “(3) A designated Coast Guard official who has reason to believe that a vessel operating under this subsection is in a condition or is operated in a manner that creates an immediate threat to life or the environment or is operated in a manner that is inconsistent with this section, may direct the master or individual in charge to take immediate and reasonable steps to safeguard life and the environment, including directing the vessel to a port or other refuge.”.