33 U.S.C. § 2073 : US Code - Section 2073: Navigation Safety Advisory Council

Search 33 U.S.C. § 2073 : US Code - Section 2073: Navigation Safety Advisory Council

(a) Establishment; membership; Council panels; publication in
Federal Register
The Secretary shall establish a Navigation Safety Advisory
Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) not exceeding 21
members. To assure balanced representation, members shall be
chosen, insofar as practical, from the following groups: (1)
recognized experts and leaders in organizations having an active
interest in the Rules of the Road and vessel and port safety, (2)
representatives of owners and operators of vessels, professional
mariners, recreational boaters, and the recreational boating
industry, (3) individuals with an interest in maritime law, and (4)
Federal and State officials with responsibility for vessel and port
safety. Additional persons may be appointed to panels of the
Council to assist the Council in the performance of its functions.
The Secretary shall, not less often than once a year, publish
notice in the Federal Register for solicitation of nominations for
membership on the Council.
(b) Functions and purpose of Council
The Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations
to the Secretary on matters relating to the prevention of
collisions, rammings, and groundings, including the Inland Rules of
the Road, the International Rules of the Road, navigation
regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information,
diving safety, and aids to navigation systems. Any advice or
recommendation made by the Council to the Secretary shall reflect
the independent judgment of the Council on the matter concerned.
The Council shall meet at the call of the Secretary, but in any
event not less than twice during each calendar year. All
proceedings of the Council shall be public, and a record of the
proceedings shall be made available for public inspection.
(c) Executive secretary; staff; travel expenses and status of
members
The Secretary shall furnish to the Council an executive secretary
and such secretarial, clerical, and other services as are deemed
necessary for the conduct of its business. Members of the Council,
while away from their home or regular places of business, may be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
as authorized by section 5703 of title 5. Payments under this
section shall not render members of the Council officers or
employees of the United States for any purpose.
(d) Termination of Council
Unless extended by subsequent Act of Congress, the Council shall
terminate on September 30, 2010.