REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN FISHING VESSELS AND FISH TENDER VESSELS.

SEC. 7316. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN FISHING VESSELS AND FISH TENDER VESSELS. (a) [46 U.S.C. 3302 note] Exceptions to Regulations for Towing Vessels.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, acting through the relevant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may grant temporary waivers from the towing vessel requirements of chapters 33 and 89 of title 46, United States Code, including the regulations issued under such chapters, for fishing vessels and fish tender vessels. (2) Application.—A temporary waiver issued under paragraph (1) shall be issued at the discretion of the relevant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection to a fishing vessel or fish tender vessel that— (A) performs towing operations of net pens, and associated work platforms, to or from aquaculture or hatchery worksites; (B) is less than 200 gross tons; (C) does not tow a net pen, or associated work platform, that is carrying cargo or hazardous material, including oil, on board; (D) is operating shoreward of the Boundary Line in either— (i) Southeast Alaska; or (ii) Prince William Sound; and (E) complies with all applicable laws for its use in the usual purpose for which it is normally and substantially operated, including any applicable inspection requirements under section 3301 of title 46, United States Code, and exemptions under section 3302 of such title. (3) Implementation.— (A) Request process.—The owner or operator of a fishing vessel or fish tender vessel seeking a waiver under paragraph (1) shall submit a request to the relevant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. (B) Contents.—The request submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) a description of the intended towing operations; (ii) the time periods and frequency of the intended towing operations; (iii) the location of the intended operations; (iv) a description of the manning of the fishing vessel or fish tender vessel during the intended operations; and (v) any additional safety, operational, or other relevant information requested by the relevant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. (4) Policy.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue policy to facilitate the implementation of this subsection. (5) Definitions.—In this subsection: (A) Boundary line.—The term “Boundary Line” has the meaning given such term in section 103 of title 46, United States Code. (B) Fishing vessel.—The term “fishing vessel” has the meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (C) Fish tender vessel.—The term “fish tender vessel” has the meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (D) Officer in charge, marine inspection.—The term “Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection” has the meaning given such term in section 3305 of title 46, United States Code. (E) Prince william sound.—The term “Prince William Sound” means all State and Federal waters within Prince William Sound, Alaska, including the approach to Hinchenbrook Entrance out to, and encompassing, Seal Rocks. (F) Southeast alaska.—The term “Southeast Alaska” means the area along the coast of the State of Alaska from latitude 54 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds North to 60 degrees 18 minutes 24 seconds North. (6) Sunset.—The authorities under this section shall expire on January 1, 2027. (b) Load Lines.—Section 11325(a) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4095) is amended by striking “3” and inserting “5”.