Section 15102 - National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee(a) ESTABLISHMENT.-There is established a National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the "Committee").(b) FUNCTION.-The Committee shall-(1) advise and provide recommendations in writing to the Secretary on matters relating to the safe operation of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies, including the matters of-(B) safety equipment and procedures;(D) vessel design, construction, maintenance, and operation; and(E) personnel qualifications and training;(2) review regulations proposed under chapter 45 of this title (during preparation of the regulations); and(3) review marine casualties and investigations of vessels covered by chapter 45 of this title and make recommendations to the Secretary to improve safety and reduce vessel casualties.(c) MEMBERSHIP.-(1) IN GENERAL.-The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.(2) EXPERTISE.-Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.(3) REPRESENTATION.-Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:(A) 10 members shall represent the commercial fishing industry and-(i) as a group, shall together reflect a regional and representational balance; and(ii) as individuals, shall each have experience-(I) in the operation of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies; or(II) as a crew member or processing line worker on a fish processing vessel.(B) 1 member shall represent naval architects and marine engineers.(C) 1 member shall represent manufacturers of equipment for vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.(D) 1 member shall represent education and training professionals related to fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, and fish tender vessel safety and personnel qualifications.(E) 1 member shall represent underwriters that insure vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.(F) 1 member shall represent owners of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.(G) 3 members shall represent the general public and, to the extent possible, shall include-(i) an independent expert or consultant in maritime safety;(ii) a marine surveyor who provides services to vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies; and(iii) a person familiar with issues affecting fishing communities and the families of fishermen.(d) QUORUM.-A quorum of 10 members is required to send any written recommendations from the Committee to the Secretary.(e) SAVINGS CLAUSE.-Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from taking emergency action to ensure safety and preservation of life at sea.Added Pub. L. 115-282, title VI, §601(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4281; amended Pub. L. 116-283 title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], §8335(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4706.EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2021-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116-283, §8335(a)(1)(A)(i)(I), inserted "and provide recommendations in writing to" after "advise" in introductory provisions.Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 116-283, §8335(a)(1)(A)(i)(II), (ii), added par. (3).Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 116-283, §8335(a)(1)(B), added subsecs. (d) and (e).