SMALL BOAT STATIONS.

SEC. 309. SMALL BOAT STATIONS. (a) In General.— Chapter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “§ 673. Small boat station rescue capability “The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that each Coast Guard small boat station (including a seasonally operated station) maintains, within the area of responsibility for the station, at least 1 vessel that is fully capable of performing offshore rescue operations, taking into consideration prevailing weather, marine conditions, and depositional geologic features such as sand bars. “§ 674. Small boat station closures “(a) Closures.— The Secretary of Transportation may not close a Coast Guard multimission small boat station or subunit unless the Secretary— “(1) determines that— “(A) remaining search and rescue capabilities maintain the safety of the maritime public in the area of the station or subunit; “(B) regional or local prevailing weather and marine conditions, including water temperature or unusual tide and current conditions, do not require continued operation of the station or subunit; and “(C) Coast Guard search and rescue standards related to search and rescue response times are met; and “(2) provides an opportunity for public comment and for public meetings in the area of the station or subunit with regard to the decision to close the station or subunit. “(b) Operational Flexibility.— The Secretary may implement any management efficiencies within the small boat station system, such as modifying the operational posture of units or reallocating resources as necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public nationwide. No stations or subunits may be closed under this subsection except in accordance with subsection (a).”. (b) Clerical Amendment.— The analysis at the beginning of chanter 17 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new items: “673. Small boat station rescue capability. “674. Small boat station closures.”.