Oceans Act of 1994

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: High Seas Fisheries Licensing

Title I: Implementation of Convention on Future Multilateral

Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries

Title II: Governing International Fishery Agreement

Title IV: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act

Title V: Fishermen's Protective Act

Title VI: Fisheries Enforcement in Central Sea of Okhotsk

Title VII: Coast Guard Authorizations

Title VIII: Coast Guard Personnel Management Improvement

Title IX: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management

Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions

Title XI: Recreational Boating Safety

Title XII: Coast Guard Regulatory Reform

Title XIII: United States Cruise Vessel Development

Title XIV: Boating Improvement

Title XV: Towing Vessel Navigational Safety

Title XVI: Promotion of Construction and Development of

United States Offshore Supply Vessels

Title XVII: Lighthouse and Other Property Conveyances

Title XVIII: Ballast Water Management

Title XIX: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

and Governing Act of 1994

Title XX: Additional Miscellaneous Provisions

Title XXI: Marine Biotechnology Investment Act of 1993

Title XXII: Merchant Mariner Benefits

Title XXIII: Documentation of Vessels

Oceans Act of 1994 - Title I: High Seas Fisheries Licensing - High Seas Fisheries Licensing Act of 1994 - Prohibits a high seas vessel from engaging in harvesting operations on the high seas unless the vessel has on board a valid license issued under this Act. Makes any U.S. vessel eligible to receive such a license unless the vessel was previously authorized to be used for fishing on the high seas by a foreign nation and such nation suspended or, within the last three years preceding application for a license, withdrew such authorization because the vessel undermined the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures.

(Sec. 104) Makes such restriction inapplicable in cases where the Secretary of Commerce determines that issuing a license would not subvert the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas. Sets forth application and fee provisions.

(Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to maintain a record of high seas fishing vessels issued licenses under this Act and to notify the flag State if a foreign fishing vessel has engaged in activities undermining the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures.

(Sec. 106) Sets forth enforcement and penalty provisions.

Title II: Implementation of Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1994 - Provides for the implementation of the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, including regarding: (1) appointment of U.S. representatives and alternate representatives as Commissioners and on the Scientific Council; (2) handling of requests for scientific advice; (3) the authorities of the Secretary of State; and (4) cooperation between various agencies, private institutions, and organizations.

(Sec. 207) Makes certain actions unlawful, including: (1) violating any regulation issued under this Act or any measure legally binding on the United States under the Convention; (2) resisting, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with certain actions; and (3) transporting, selling, or possessing fish taken in violation of these provisions. Provides for: (1) civil and criminal penalties, permit sanctions, and forfeiture of vessels, cargo, and fish; (2) enforcement by the Coast Guard; and (3) U.S. district court exclusive jurisdiction.

(Sec. 208) Directs the Secretaries of State and Commerce to jointly establish a consultative committee on issues related to the Convention and the agreement with Canada.

(Sec. 211) Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Governing International Fishery Agreement - Approves the governing international fishery agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Title IV: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act - Atlantic Tunas Convention Authorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (the Act) to mandate a comprehensive research program to support the conservation and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species, including identifying and defining the range of stocks.

Amends Federal law to remove a provision authorizing appropriations for a currently-mandated biennial report on bluefin tuna.

(Sec. 403) Regulates operational matters for the advisory committee established by the Act, including regarding quorums, a chairman, meetings, and administrative and technical support.

(Sec. 404) Prohibits the promulgation of regulations to increase or decrease fishery mortality levels.

(Sec. 405) Makes the civil penalty and permit sanctions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act applicable to violations of this Act.

(Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act.

(Sec. 407) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a report annually to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries that: (1) details for the previous ten-year period the catches and exports to the United States of highly migratory species from nations fishing on Atlantic stocks that are subject to management by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; (2) identifies those fishing nations whose harvests are inconsistent with the conservation and management recommendations of the Commission; (3) describes reporting requirements to ensure that imported fish are in compliance with international management measures; and (4) describes actions taken to certify to the President if vessels of any nation are harvesting fish in a manner which would tend to diminish the effectiveness of the recommendations of the Commission.

(Sec. 408) Declares the sense of the Congress regarding measures to be taken to promote the conservation and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Title V: Fishermen's Protective Act - Amends the Fisherman's Protective Act of 1967 to direct the Secretary of State to reimburse vessel owners for fees paid to a foreign government to navigate in its waters if such a fee is regarded by the United States as being inconsistent with international law.

(Sec. 502) Directs the President, if a nation imposes conditions on the operation or transit of U.S. fishing vessels that are inconsistent with international law or agreement, to impose similar conditions on the vessels of that nation.

(Sec. 503) Repeals the statutory formula used to fix the related fees collected by the Secretary of State.

Extends the termination date of the Fisherman's Protective Act from October 1, 1993, to October 1, 2000.

Title VI: Fisheries Enforcement in Central Sea of Okhotsk - Sea of Okhotsk Fisheries Enforcement Act of 1994 - Amends the Central Bering Sea Fisheries Enforcement Act of 1992 to prohibit U.S. vessels and nationals from fishing in the Central Sea of Okhotsk except in accordance with an international fishery agreement to which the United States and the Russian Federation are parties.

Title VII: Coast Guard Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 1995 for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, and human factors relating to improving the performance of the Coast Guard's mission in support of specified activities; (4) retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefit Plans, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges over navigable waters of the United States constituting obstructions to navigation, and personnel and administrative costs associated with the Bridge Alteration Program; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration at Coast Guard facilities.

(Sec. 702) Authorizes: (1) an end-of-year strength for active duty personnel of 39,000 as of September 30, 1995; (2) specified military training student loads for FY 1995; and (3) appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation (Transportation) for operation and maintenance expenses of Coast Guard drug interdiction activities for FY 1995.

Title VIII: Coast Guard Personnel Management Improvement - Makes provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1993 regarding homeowners assistance for certain individuals affected by Hurricane Andrew applicable to the military personnel of the Coast Guard who were assigned to, or employed at or in connection with, any Federal facility or installation in the vicinity of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, subject to specified limitations.

(Sec. 802) Repeals a requirement that, upon approval by the President, the names of officers selected by a board for continuation on active duty shall be promptly disseminated to the Coast Guard at large.

(Sec. 803) Specifies that reserve members ordered to active duty for emergency augmentation of regular forces shall not be counted in computing the authorized strength of members on active duty or members in grade under any law.

(Sec. 804) Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) make child development services available to members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard, and, as remaining space is available, to members of the armed forces and Federal civilian employees; (2) require that fees for such services at Coast Guard child development centers be used only for compensation of center employees directly involved in providing child care, with exceptions; (3) use Department of Defense or other training programs to insure that all child development services providers meet minimum standards; and (4) provide assistance to members and civilian employees of the Coast Guard for obtaining services of qualified family home child development services providers.

Title IX: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management - Repeals a provision requiring the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to collect and pay to the Treasury the same fees for the inspection of foreign vessels carrying passengers from the United States that a foreign country charges U.S. vessels trading to the ports of that country.

(Sec. 902) Increases civil penalties for violations of provisions regarding documentation of vessels.

Revises Federal provisions to make a vessel and its equipment liable to seizure by, and forfeiture to, the U.S. Government if: (1) the owner of the vessel or a representative or agent of the owner knowingly falsifies or conceals a material fact or makes a false statement or representation about the documentation or in applying for documentation of the vessel; (2) a certificate of documentation is knowingly and fraudulently used for the vessel; (3) the vessel is operated after its endorsement has been denied or revoked; (4) the vessel is employed in a trade without an appropriate trade endorsement; or (5) in the case of a documented vessel with only a recreational endorsement, the vessel is operated other than for pleasure.

Removes specified limitations on the operation of recreational vessels.

(Sec. 904) Amends the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1991 to terminate the Houston-Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee and the Lower Mississippi River Waterway Advisory Committee on October 1, 1999.

Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - Allows the retention of an officer with at least 18 years of active service until such officer completes 20 years of service.

(Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to maintain an ability, until October 1, 1999, to assist the public with vessel documentation information at Coast Guard offices located in the immediate vicinity of former regional vessel documentation offices.

(Sec. 1003) Extends the authority of the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee until October 1, 1999.

(Sec. 1004) Prohibits the Secretary from closing or consolidating any multimission small boat station in FY 1995 until a list of proposed station closures has been submitted to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (specified congressional committees).

(Sec. 1005) Amends the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 to extend the authority of the Navigation Safety Advisory Council until September 30, 2000.

(Sec. 1006) Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on a plan to more fully utilize the Coast Guard Selected Reserve to augment peacetime operations.

(Sec. 1007) Prohibits a Coast Guard vessel from being overhauled, repaired, or maintained in a foreign shipyard, except for emergency repairs.

(Sec. 1008) Allows a bill of sale, conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or related instrument that includes any part of a documented vessel to be filed electronically.

(Sec. 1009) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Coast Guard should be appropriated adequate amounts to enable it to carry out all extraordinary functions and duties in addition to its normal functions.

(Sec. 1010) Authorizes the Commandant to enter into contracts to carry out health care services for Coast Guard personnel and covered beneficiaries.

(Sec. 1011) Removes restrictions regarding mortgagees from provisions setting forth requirements for a vessel mortgage to qualify as a preferred mortgage. Removes restrictions regarding parties serving as trustees of mortgaged vessel interests.

Allows leased vessels to receive coastwise endorsements if the lessor is primarily engaged in leasing or financing transactions, the vessel is under a demise charter to a U.S. citizen, and other requirements are met. Deems such a leased vessel and certain oil spill response vessels to be owned exclusively by U.S. citizens for purposes of provisions relating to: (1) reacquisition of coastwise rights; and (2) documentation eligibility.

(Sec. 1012) Repeals Great Lakes endorsements on certificates of vessel documentation.

Title XI: Recreational Boating Safety - Recreational Boating Safety Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends Federal boating safety law to prohibit a person from operating a recreational vessel under 26 feet in length unless each individual 12 years or younger wears a personal flotation device while on the vessel's deck. Declares that such prohibition shall not be construed to limit a State's authority to establish more stringent requirements for the wearing of personal flotation devices on recreational vessels.

(Sec. 1103) Sets forth a formula for the allocation of State recreational boating safety program funds based upon State adoption of laws prohibiting the operation of recreational vessels while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a plan to increase reporting of vessel accidents to appropriate State law enforcement officials. Establishes penalties for violation of reporting requirements.

(Sec. 1105) Declares that any individual operating a recreational vessel in a negligent manner shall complete a boating safety course approved by the Secretary.

Declares that any person operating a recreational vessel in violation of Federal shipping code recreational boating provisions may be ordered to complete a qualified recreational boating safety course.

Title XII: Coast Guard Regulatory Reform - Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Act of 1994 - Amends Federal maritime law to direct the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to prescribe regulations which establish a safety management system for the following vessels engaged on a foreign voyage: (1) beginning July 1, 1998, vessels transporting more than 12 passengers, and tankers, bulk freight vessels, or high-speed freight vessels of at least 500 gross tons; and (2) beginning July 1, 2002, freight vessels and mobile offshore drilling units of at least 500 gross tons.

(Sec. 1202) Requires the issuance of a Safety Management Certificate and a Document of Compliance to a vessel after verification that the responsible person has complied with all requirements.

Requires a report to the Congress on a study of the methods that may be used to implement and enforce the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention under chapter IX of the Annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.

(Sec. 1203) Authorizes the reliance on reports, documents, and records, and other methods determined to be reliable as evidence of compliance with maritime law regarding vessel inspections.

(Sec. 1204) Authorizes the acceptance of approvals of safety equipment and materials by foreign governments, if: (1) the design and testing standards meet the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and its associated International Maritime Organization guidance documents; (2) the approval will secure the safety of individuals and property on board vessels subject to inspection; and (3) for lifesaving equipment, the foreign government has given equivalent treatment of approvals to lifesaving equipment.

(Sec. 1205) Requires each in-service small passenger vessel carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage to be inspected annually. Requires any other vessel to be inspected at least once every five years (currently, every two years). Extends from two to five years the effective validation period of certificates of inspection issued to U.S. vessels that carry oil or hazardous material in bulk.

(Sec. 1206) Requires the owner or individual in charge of a vessel to submit certain inspection related notices to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating at least 30 days (currently, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days) before the current certificate of inspection issued to a vessel expires.

(Sec. 1207) Revises provisions regarding the recognition of U.S. classification societies.

(Sec. 1208) Requires the Coast Guard to conduct a study of the regulatory requirements regarding the reporting of marine casualties.

Title XIII: United States Cruise Vessel Development - United States Cruise Vessel Development Act - Amends Federal law to permit a vessel to transport passengers in coastwise trade only if: (1) the vessel is owned by a citizen of the United States; (2) the vessel meets certain requirements under the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 and the Shipping Act, 1916 for engaging in such trade; and (3) in the case of a vessel that is at least five net tons, it is documented with a coastwise endorsement. Sets forth exceptions to such requirements for vessels under a demise charter, or for vessels to be reflagged. Sets forth a civil penalty of $1,000 per passenger transported in violation of this Act. Makes vessels in violation of this title subject to seizure by and forfeiture to the United States.

(Sec. 1304) Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate of inspection to a vessel, if: (1) it meets the standards and conditions for the issuance of a control verification certificate to a foreign vessel embarking passengers in the United States; (2) a coastwise endorsement has been issued to the vessel after enactment of this Act; and (3) the vessel is authorized to engage in coastwise trade.

(Sec. 1305) Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to provide for determining citizenship with the respect to the operation of a vessel primarily in the transport of passengers in coastwise trade.

(Sec. 1306) Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to remove U.S. citizenship ownership requirements from Federal ship mortgage insurance provisions.

(Sec. 1307) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits to vessels entering units of the National Park System in accordance with the following priority: (1) first, vessels documented under the laws of, and the home port of which is located in, the United States; (2) second, foreign documented vessels; and (3) third, any other vessels.

Title XIV: Boating Improvement - Boating Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to increase the amounts transferred from State fish restoration and management project appropriations for grants for recreational boating safety programs. Revises funding from the same appropriations for grants to coastal and inland States for: (1) the construction and renovation of pumpout stations and waste reception facilities; and (2) education of recreational boaters about the problems of human body waste discharges from vessels.

(Sec. 1403) Authorizes eligible States to submit plans for the construction and renovation of public facilities for transient nontrailerable vessels to the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes grants for such purposes.

Title XV: Towing Vessel Navigational Safety - Towing Vessel Navigational Safety Act of 1994 - Amends Federal marine safety law to require each towing vessel to be equipped with certain navigational publications and equipment.

(Sec. 1503) Requires marine casualties to be reported as soon as practicable, but in no case later than within five days (currently, within five days).

(Sec. 1504) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing a differential global positioning satellite system and creating electronic charts for U.S. inland waterways.

(Sec. 1505) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations which establish licenses for masters and mates of towing vessels.

(Sec. 1506) Increases penalties for the operation of uninspected towing vessels in violation of manning requirements.

(Sec. 1507) Amends Federal law relating to unlicensed shipping personnel to require merchant mariner's documents for individuals serving on a vessel of at least five gross tons (currently, at least 100 gross tons), subject to certain exceptions, including small passenger vessels (currently, including vessels operating only on rivers and lakes, except the Great Lakes).

Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) collecting a fee under provisions of Federal shipping law for any service related to a merchant mariner's document required to be obtained under this Act; or (2) making available to the public any personal information concerning an individual required to obtain such a document.

Title XVI: Promotion of Construction and Development of United States Offshore Supply Vessels - Offshore Supply Vessel Construction and Development Act of 1994 - Amends Federal shipping law to revise the definition of offshore supply vessel to include vessels of more than 15 international gross tons and not more than a maximum number of international gross tons prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation.

(Sec. 1603) Makes provisions governing the carriage of dangerous cargoes inapplicable to offshore supply vessels and fishing or fish tender vessels of more than 750 regulatory gross tons.

(Sec. 1604) Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the manning and licensing of able seamen on offshore supply vessels of at least 1600 international gross tons.

(Sec. 1606) Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations for vessel pollution response plans for domestic operations of certain offshore supply vessels.

Title XVII: Lighthouse and Other Property Conveyances - Requires the Secretary to expeditiously convey certain property located in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, to the Traverse City Area Public School District.

(Sec. 1702) Transfers to the Ketchikan Indian Corporation in Ketchikan, Alaska, certain property to be used as a Native health clinic.

(Sec. 1703) Conveys to the Montauk Historical Association in Montauk, New York, property comprising the Light Station at Montauk Point.

(Sec. 1704) Conveys to Rockport, Massachusetts, the property comprising the Cape Ann Lighthouse, located on Thachers Island, Massachusetts.

(Sec. 1705) Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Ocracoke Light Station to the Secretary of the Interior.

(Sec. 1706) Authorizes the Secretary to convey the property comprising Squirrel Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic, Maine, to Squirrel Point Associates, Inc.

(Sec. 1707) Conveys certain lighthouse facilities in Maine.

Title XVIII: Ballast Water Management - Ballast Water Management Act - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to direct the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to contract with the Marine Board of the National Research Council to evaluate ballast water management technologies that prevent aquatic nonindigenous species from being introduced and spread through ballast water discharged into U.S. waters. Requires the Task Force to submit to appropriate congressional committees a report on the results of such evaluation.

(Sec. 1803) Directs the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to conduct a national ballast water management demonstration program to evaluate ballast water management technologies that prevent aquatic nonindigenous species from being introduced and spread through ballast water discharged into U.S. waters.

(Sec. 1804) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 and 1996.

Title XIX: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Governing Act of 1994 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization and Governing Act of 1994 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for FY 1995 and 1996 for use by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the following programs and activities: (1) mapping and charting; (2) geodesy; (3) weather observation and prediction; (4) estuarine and coastal assessment; and (5) marine prediction research, including research activities at the Great Lakes and the Southeast Florida and Caribbean Areas.

(Sec. 1905) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 and 1996 for NOAA marine service activities.

(Sec. 1906) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 and 1996 for the establishment and maintenance of a scallop restoration program for Long Island Sound.

(Sec. 1907) Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to assist persons in carrying out research and development projects to promote the sustainable use and development of U.S. fisheries.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the Secretary's duties; (2) evaluation and approval of proposals; (3) criteria for evaluation; (4) industrial partners; (5) notice of the Secretary's decision; and (5) recommendations for future funding priorities.

(Sec. 1908) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) operation and maintenance of the Systems Acquisition Office; (3) central administrative support activities; (4) retired pay; and (5) marine services activities.

(Sec. 1909) Expresses the sense of the Congress that NOAA should expand its efforts to develop interagency agreements to further the use of defense-related technologies, data, and other resources to support its oceanic missions.

Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of expanding the use of such technologies, data, and resources to support and enhance such missions.

(Sec. 1910) Requires the Secretary to report to the committees on the status of NOAA programs related to marine navigation safety.

(Sec. 1911) Sets forth site selection factors regarding the placement of a replacement for the National Marine Fisheries Service Lab at Tiburon, California.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 for architecture and engineering studies regarding the replacement for such Lab.

(Sec. 1913) Directs the Secretary to convey to Massachusetts the National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory at Gloucester, Massachusetts, under certain terms and conditions, including continued use of such property by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

(Sec. 1914) Provides reimbursement from the United States to NOAA after settlement of a collision damage claim involving the NOAA research vessel DISCOVERER, for use in vessel repair.

(Sec. 1915) Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with the Marine Board of the National Research Council to examine and report on the appropriate role of NOAA Corps in supporting NOAA missions; and (2) promote and coordinate the use of National Estuarine Research Reserves for research, monitoring, and education purposes.

(Sec. 1917) Amends the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to include the Stetson Bank.

(Sec. 1918) Repeals a provision of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 1992 requiring the establishment of a NOAA Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Resources Office if the Secretary fails to obligate specified funds appropriated for oyster disease research by December 1, 1994.

(Sec. 1919) Authorizes the Secretary to expend specified sums to acquire, construct, install, and maintain equipment with respect to weather reporting stations in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

(Sec. 1920) Authorizes the Secretary to clean up such dumps, debris, storage tanks, property, hazardous conditions, and contaminants as appropriate through contracts, grants or cooperative agreements with the entities on the Pribilof Islands entitled to receive conveyance of lands by the Fur Seal Act of 1966.

(Sec. 1921) Directs the Secretary to purchase from the private sector, to the maximum extent possible, remotely sensed science data.

(Sec. 1923) Exempts from taxation contractor activities pursuant to the modernization of the National Weather Service.

(Sec. 1923) Authorizes NOAA to enter into reimbursable cooperative agreements with Federal agencies regarding the use of administrative law judges.

(Sec. 1925) Authorizes the Secretary to use $500,000 for a comprehensive education program to reduce and prevent illnesses and deaths associated with the consumption of raw molluscan shellfish.

(Sec. 1926) Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a study on the feasibility and desirability of converting the High Island A389A offshore gas production platform to a marine research station to support investigations of the northern Gulf of Mexico and for use as a field laboratory for training students and marine science professionals in technologies related to the exploration and study of the Gulf.

(Sec. 1927) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into specified contracts for FY 1995 and 1996 to implement the NOAA fleet modernization plan.

(Sec. 1928) Prohibits the release to the wild of a marine mammal held for purposes of public display unless authorized under a scientific research permit issued by the Secretary.

(Sec. 1929) Directs the Secretary to establish cooperative marine education and research programs with Kingsborough Community College, New York and the State University of New York.

(Sec. 1930) Establishes: (1) in NOAA the National Undersea Research Program; and (2) in a state bordering the Gulf of Mexico, a National Undersea Research Program Center for the Gulf of Mexico.

Title XX: Additional Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels that operate beyond three nautical miles from the Great Lakes coastline to be equipped with alerting and locating equipment.

(Sec. 2002) Requires the Coast Guard and other agencies, in implementing the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to differentiate between animal fats or oils of vegetable origin and other oils on the basis of their physical, chemical, biological, and other properties, and their environmental effects.

(Sec. 2003) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to expend funds in FY 1996 for the design and construction of a passenger ferry to be owned and operated by the State of Alaska.

(Sec. 2004) Amends the Shipping Act of 1984 to revise provisions relating to: (1) independent actions on certain matters by members of a shipping conference agreement; and (2) limitations by conferences or by two or more common carriers in the export foreign commerce of the United States on compensation to an ocean freight forwarder.

(Sec. 2005) Directs the Secretary, for purposes of altering the Florida Avenue Bridge in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, to treat the drainage siphon that is adjacent to the bridge as an appurtenance of the bridge.

(Sec. 2006) Prohibits the consolidation of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Offices in Galveston and Houston, Texas.

(Sec. 2007) Requires at least 51 percent of the components of surface search radar systems and multibeam sonar systems for Coast Guard vessels to be manufactured in the United States, provided the U.S. manufacturer offers the Coast Guard a competitive price.

(Sec. 2008) Authorizes special recruiting by the Coast Guard to rectify underrepresentation or underutilization of women and minorities.

(Sec. 2009) Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to report to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (specified congressional committees) recommending actions to prevent mortalities of the northern right whale from vessel collisions in the Great South Channel off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

(Sec. 2010) Prohibits the level of Coast Guard drug interdiction from being reduced below the level proposed by the President in the FY 1995 budget.

(Sec. 2011) Excludes certain voyages from State regulations on gambling devices.

(Sec. 2012) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to authorize the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate attesting to the adequacy of garbage reception facilities at a port or terminal only if an onsite inspection has been conducted prior to the issuance of a certificate. Makes such certificates valid for a period of five years unless there is a change of operator.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations that require the operators of ports or terminals subject to MARPOL Protocol (the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973) requirements relating to reception facilities to post placards stating that users should report facility inadequacies to the Secretary.

Amends the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 to revise the public outreach program to include the development of a voluntary boaters' pledge program.

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Marine Debris Coordinating Committee to coordinate national and international research, monitoring, education, and regulatory actions addressing the persistent marine debris problem.

(Sec. 2013) Directs the Secretary to report to the specified congressional committees a full accounting of Coast Guard costs related to Haiti during FY 1994. Requires a monthly report to such committees on costs related to Haiti until military operations cease.

(Sec. 2014) Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to report to the Congress on a plan for the rescue of persons transported on passenger vessels or small passenger vessels on the Chesapeake Bay.

(Sec. 2015) Makes the ten-month deadline established in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1989 with respect to the correction of military records mandatory and applicable to applications pending before the Board for Correction of Military Records or the Secretary on June 12, 1990, where administrative remedies are exhausted and other specified conditions are met.

Title XXI: Marine Biotechnology Investment Act of 1993 - Marine Biotechnology Investment Act of 1993 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a National Marine Biotechnology Strategy for the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive research and development effort to assist the Nation in understanding and using marine biotechnology. Requires the submission of the Strategy to the President and Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this Act and a revised Strategy at least once every three years thereafter.

(Sec. 2105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to maintain, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a balanced program of marine biotechnology activities. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting: (1) activities that may involve the release of organisms, unless such activities have been reviewed and approved under other applicable Federal law or are found to pose no significant environmental risk (and in the case of an intentional release of organisms, the Secretary may make such a finding only after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment); and (2) research or awarding a grant for marine biotechnology applications intended to promote or enhance farming, ranching, or other forms of captive cultivation (other than hatchery enhancement of wild stocks) of any species of Pacific salmon.

(Sec. 2106) Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to establish a program to further research, development, education, and technology transfer in marine biotechnology.

Provides for the establishment of a Marine Biotechnology Review Panel.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title XXII: Merchant Mariner Benefits - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine, including a vessel crewmember of the U.S. Army Transport Service, during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge.

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act.

Title XXIII: Documentation of Vessels - Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsements for specified vessels.

(Sec. 2302) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of documentation with appropriate coastwise endorsement for employment in the coastwise trade in Alaska for a specified period for the vessel ATLANTIS III.

(Sec. 2303) Authorizes the sale to a foreign person and reregistration of certain vessels if an application to authorize payment of operating-differential subsidy to such vessels is not approved by a date certain.

(Sec. 2304) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement of specified vessels. Limits such vessels to carriage of passengers in association with contributions to charitable organizations.

(Sec. 2306) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement for certain hovercraft vessels.

(Sec. 2307) Authorizes the certification of a certain ship as a wrecked vessel.