WAIVERS.

SEC. 901. WAIVERS.(a) General Coastwise Waiver.—Notwithstanding section 12112 and chapter 551 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the following vessels:(1) ZIPPER (State of New York regulation number NY3205EB).124 STAT. 3008(2) GULF DIVER IV (United States official number 553457).(b) GALLANT LADY.—Section 1120(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3977) is amended—(1) in paragraph (1)—(A) by striking “of Transportation” and inserting “of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating”; and(B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:“(A) the vessel GALLANT LADY (Feadship hull number 672, approximately 168 feet in length).”;(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:“(3) Condition.—The only nonrecreational activity authorized for the vessel referred to in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) is the transportation of individuals on behalf of an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, for which the owner of the vessel receives no compensation.”;(3) by striking paragraph (4) and redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4); and(4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) by striking all after “shall expire” and inserting “on the date of the sale of the vessel by the owner.”.(c) Activity of Certain Vessels.—(1) In general.—Section 12102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:“(d) Aquaculture Waiver.—“(1) Permitting of nonqualified vessels to perform certain aquaculture support operations.—Notwithstanding section 12113 and any other law, the Secretary of Transportation may issue a waiver allowing a documented vessel with a registry endorsement or a foreign flag vessel to be used in operations that treat aquaculture fish for or protect aquaculture fish from disease, parasitic infestation, or other threats to their health if the Secretary finds, after publishing a notice in the Federal Register, that a suitable vessel of the United States is not available that could perform those services.“(2) Prohibition.—Vessels operating under a waiver issued under this subsection may not engage in any coastwise transportation.”.(2) Implementing and interim regulations.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and after public notice and comment, promulgate regulations necessary and appropriate to implement this subsection. The Secretary may grant interim permits pending the issuance of such regulations upon receipt of applications containing the required information.