33 U.S.C. § 1221 : US Code - Section 1221: Statement of policy

Search 33 U.S.C. § 1221 : US Code - Section 1221: Statement of policy

The Congress finds and declares -
(a) that navigation and vessel safety, protection of the marine
environment, and safety and security of United States ports and
waterways are matters of major national importance;
(b) that increased vessel traffic in the Nation's ports and
waterways creates substantial hazard to life, property, and the
marine environment;
(c) that increased supervision of vessel and port operations is
necessary in order to -
(1) reduce the possibility of vessel or cargo loss, or damage
to life, property, or the marine environment;
(2) prevent damage to structures in, on, or immediately
adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States or the
resources within such waters;
(3) insure that vessels operating in the navigable waters of
the United States shall comply with all applicable standards
and requirements for vessel construction, equipment, manning,
and operational procedures; and
(4) insure that the handling of dangerous articles and
substances on the structures in, on, or immediately adjacent to
the navigable waters of the United States is conducted in
accordance with established standards and requirements; and
(d) that advance planning is critical in determining proper and
adequate protective measures for the Nation's ports and waterways
and the marine environment, with continuing consultation with
other Federal agencies, State representatives, affected users,
and the general public, in the development and implementation of
such measures.