Boosting US Jobs: Stricter Crew Rules for Offshore Energy and Wind Vessels.
This Act tightens manning requirements for foreign vessels and platforms operating on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including offshore wind projects. It mandates that crews must primarily consist of US citizens or permanent residents, aiming to boost employment for American maritime workers. The law also increases funding for maritime training and strengthens enforcement of coastwise trade laws (Jones Act) by prohibiting penalty mitigation.
Key points
Requires foreign vessels operating offshore to staff most positions with US citizens or permanent residents to increase domestic job opportunities.
Increases authorized funding for US maritime worker training programs (Maritime Centers of Excellence) to $80 million annually.
Strengthens Jones Act enforcement by banning the reduction of penalties for violations and requiring public disclosure of fines against foreign vessels.
Establishes a 3-year delay for vessels involved in cable and pipe laying activities to allow the US fleet time to develop capacity in these specialized areas.
Expired
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