Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 3220 JUNE 2016 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director P rior to the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act, hardly any U.S.-flagged passenger-carry- ing vessels were required by federal law or regulation to have an “official logbook,” a document in which a dozen types of entries are required by U.S. law. The requirement applied to a vessel on an international voyage (other than to Canada) and a vessel of at least 100 gross tons traveling between a U.S. Atlantic and a U.S. Pacific port. In section 607 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281) – the same law that sought to impose a “one-size-fits-all” survival craft requirement – Congress told the Coast Guard to require “official logbooks” on nearly all inspected U.S. vessels, including passenger-carrying vessels. The provision specified three new items to be recorded in an “official logbook.” This amendment was advocated by a Louisiana organization that styled itself as an advocate for unlicensed maritime workers on tugs and barges operating on U.S. rivers and offshore supply vessels working in the Gulf of Mexico. A rulemaking will be necessary to implement the “official logbook” mandate. Some six years after the law’s enactment, the Coast Guard has not yet begun such a rulemaking. The legislative history of the 2010 provision offers no indication that the absence of “official logbooks” on passenger-carrying vessels had caused problems for mariners, vessel operators, or the U.S. Coast Guard. Given the absence of a problem, why PVA Seeks Repeal of Unnecessary Paperwork Requirement – “Official Logbooks” Certified interior and exterior seating and accessories for any commercial vessel • Passenger seats • Interior benches • Exterior benches • Fold up seat • Helm seat • Bar stool •Tub chair •Tables • Full range of accessories Certified interior and exterior seating and accessories for any commercial vessel • Passenger seats • Interior benches • Exterior benches • Fold up seat • Helm seat • Bar stool •Tub chair •Tables • Full range of accessories