Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1982

(Reported to House from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with amendment, H. Rept. 97-62)

Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 1982 for: (1) operation and maintenance expenses; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids in navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) the alteration or removal of bridges over navigable waters; and (4) research, development, testing, and evaluation. Permits the Coast Guard an end-year strength of 42,224 active duty personnel. Authorizes average military training student loads.

Authorizes the Coast Guard to place orders for materials, supplies, equipment, work, or services of any kind that any requisitioned Federal agency may be in a position to supply or obtain. Excludes specified reserve officers on active duty from the active duty promotion list. Makes the rear admiral designated by the Commandant to the position of Chief of Staff the senior rear admiral for all purposes other than pay.

Eliminates a reservist's exemption from registration and liability for military training and service under other law. Permits the Commandant of the Coast Guard to authorize the installation and use of telephones in residences leased or owned by the Government of the United States to assure efficient response to extraordinary operational contingencies.

Increases the authorization of appropriations for the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard for fiscal year 1981. Increases the end-year strength of active duty personnel for fiscal year 1981 from 39,600 to 39,819.

Directs the Commandant to conduct a study and report to Congress on the use of cycloidal propulsion systems in appropriate types of Coast Guard vessels. Permits the delegation of vessel inspection review and approval to the American Bureau of Shipping or a similar American classification society. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to report annually to Congress on the implementation of such delegation.

Prohibits the use of funds to remove facilities of Coast Guard Group Port Angeles from Ediz Hook.

Amends the Vessel Documentation Act to expand eligibility for vessel documentation to vessels owned by an association, trust, or other entity capable of holding title to a vessel under the law of the United States or any State, territory, or possession thereof, or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, all of the members of which are citizens of the United States.

Modifies the formula for computing the amount of disability or death benefits for members of the Coast Guard.