Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984

Summary

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 1985 and 1986 for: (1) operation and maintenance, including icebreaking; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement for aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation; (4) alteration or removal of bridges over navigable waters of the United States constituting obstructions to navigation; and (5) retirement pay and benefits. Establishes an end-of-year strength for the Coast Guard for FY 1985 and 1986. Authorizes average military training loads for FY 1985 and 1986 for: (1) recruit and special training; (2) flight training; (3) professional training; and (4) officer acquisition. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States has important interests in maintaining a fleet of icebreaking vessels for operation in the Arctic and Antarctic. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to plan for the design and construction of at least two additional polar icebreaking vessels to be operational by the end of FY 1990. Requires the Secretary to make status reports on such plans in January of 1985 and 1986. Excludes recreational vessels and associated components with safety defects which create a substantial risk of personal injury to the public from vessels which meet minimum safety standards. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to proceed vigorously with efforts to develop improved lifesaving equipment for use on passenger ferries. Requires the use of authorizations to maintain in full operation the Vessels Traffic Service (VTS) system in San Francisco, California, for FY 1985 and 1986, but prohibits any contracting out of Coast Guard functions until the Coast Guard conducts a study and reports to Congress on such system. Encourages the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to identify functions performed by the Guard which are not inherently governmental and could be performed more cost effectively under contract with the private sector. Requires the Secretary to give the appropriate congressional committees 30 days notice and a certification of quality performance and cost effectiveness before actually contracting out a function. Prohibits any person in charge of a vessel in any capacity from discriminating against a seaman who in good faith reports or is about to report certain violations to the Secretary. Grants such seaman a remedy in Federal district court. Repeals the tankerman manning requirement. Eliminates the need for the Chief of Engineers' approval of plans for the construction or maintenance of bridges over navigable waters. Amends the General Bridge Act of 1946 to eliminate the need for the Chief of Engineers' approval of plans for the construction and operation of any bridge. Amends the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 to eliminate compensation, except for travel and per diem allowances, for members of the Road Advisory Council. Extends such Council from October 6, 1985, to December 24, 1990. Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act, 1982, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy) to participate in decisions regarding the use of certain former Public Health Service facilities. Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984, to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy) to participate in decisions involving the use of Public Health Service facilities. Amends the provisions of the Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980 relating to towing and pushing to exclude below the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River from certain power-driven vessel lighting requirements. Extends the Towing Safety Advisory Committee from October 6, 1985, to the end of FY 1990.

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Documents

4 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 31 October 1984

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 5 October 1984

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 17 May 1984

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 3 April 1984

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