GENERAL PROVISION.

SEC. 511. GENERAL PROVISION. (a) Section 2113 of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “§ 2113. Authority to exempt certain vessels “If the Secretary decides that the application of a provision of part B, C, F, or G of this subtitle is not necessary in performing the mission of the vessel engaged in excursions or an oceanographic research vessel, or not necessary for the safe operation of certain vessels carrying passengers, the Secretary by regulation may— “(1) for a vessel, issue a special permit specifying the conditions of operation and equipment; 107 STAT. 2442 “(2) exempt an oceanographic research vessel from that provision under conditions the Secretary may specify; “(3) establish different operating and equipment requirements for vessels defined in section 2101(42)(A) of this title; “(4) establish different structural fire protection, manning, operating, and equipment requirements for vessels of at least 100 gross tons but less than 300 gross tons carrying not more than 150 passengers on domestic voyages if the owner of the vessel— “(A) makes application for inspection to the Coast Guard within 6 months of the date of enactment of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993; and “(B) provides satisfactory documentation that the vessel was chartered at least once within the previous 12 months prior to the date of enactment of that Act; and “(5) establish different structural fire protection, manning, operating, and equipment requirements for former public vessels of the United States of at least 100 gross tons but less than 500 gross tons, carrying not more than 150 passengers on domestic voyages, if the owner of the vessel— “(A) makes application for inspection to the Coast Guard within 6 months of the date of enactment of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993; and “(B) provides satisfactory documentation that the vessel was chartered at least once within the previous 12 months prior to the date of enactment of that Act.”. (b) Section 4105 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting “(a)” before the text; and (2) by adding a new subsection (b) to read as follows: “(b) Within twenty-four months of the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall, by regulation, require certain additional equipment which may include liferafts or other lifesaving equipment, construction standards, or specify additional operating standards for those uninspected passenger vessels defined in section 2101(42)(A) of this title.”.