Coast Guard bill heads to President

The United States House of Representatives on Monday passed a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that sets spending and policies goals through fiscal year 2017.    The United States House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved legislation reauthorizing the Coast Guard for $18.2 billion over two years, almost $400 million than currently appropriated.
   The Coast Guard bill, which passed the Senate in December and also authorizes the Federal Maritime Commission, now goes to President Obama for his signature.
   One of the elements of the bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to recognize port security assessments done by foreign governments or international organizations that evaluate the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures maintained at foreign ports. Having foreign countries or international organizations conduct security assessments would reduce the need for the Coast Guard to send personnel around the world to carry out inspections.
   Under a 2003 maritime security law, the Coast Guard is required to uphold the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), which sets maritime security standards for nations to follow. 
   Foreign states that don’t maintain effective anti-terror measures are placed on a non-compliance list and vessels from those countries are subject to additional measures before being allowed into U.S. ports. The extra inspections can result in additional costs and delays in transit times.
   Another provision authorizes the design and construction of a new heavy icebreaker vessel for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes have had record levels of ice cover in recent winters, limiting commercial shipping and other activity. Last winter, ice cover contributed to an estimated 3.2 million ton decrease in cargo, costing nearly $355 million lost revenue and 2,000 lost jobs, according to Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.
   The Coast Guard currently operates nine ice-breaking capable cutters on the Great Lakes, some of which were commissioned in the 1970s, but only one heavy icebreaker.
   FMC funding was authorized at current levels, or $24.7 million, for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.