AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR MARITIME SAFETY OF FORCES AND HYDROGRAPHIC SUPPORT.

SEC. 363. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR MARITIME SAFETY OF FORCES AND HYDROGRAPHIC SUPPORT. (a) Authority.—Part IV of subtitle C of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter: “CHAPTER 669—MARITIME SAFETY OF FORCES “Sec. “7921. Safety and effectiveness information; hydrographic information. “SEC. 7921. [10 U.S.C. 7921] Safety and effectiveness information; hydrographic information “(a) Safety and Effectiveness Information. (1) The Secretary of the Navy shall maximize the safety and effectiveness of all maritime vessels, aircraft, and forces of the armed forces by means of— “(A) marine data collection; “(B) numerical weather and ocean prediction; and “(C) forecasting of hazardous weather and ocean conditions. “(2) The Secretary may extend similar support to forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and to coalition forces, that are operating with the armed forces. “(b) Hydrographic Information. The Secretary of the Navy shall collect, process, and provide to the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency hydrographic information to support preparation of maps, charts, books, and geodetic products by that Agency.” . (b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle C of such title, and the table of chapters at the beginning of part IV of such subtitle, are each amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 667 the following new item: “669. Maritime Safety of Forces” . 7921