Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021

1/11/2023, 1:47 PM

Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill sets forth requirements related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard must implement regulations related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels, including during severe weather emergencies.

The Coast Guard may require operators of amphibious passenger vessels to provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or other means, to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew.

Additionally, the Coast Guard must implement interim safety policies or other measures to require operators of amphibious passenger vessels operating in U.S. waters comply with certain requirements, including to remove the canopies of such vessels for waterborne operations, or to install in such vessels canopies that do not restrict either horizontal or vertical escape by passengers in the event of flooding or sinking.

The bill also sets forth requirements for vessels that are not in compliance with the regulations and interim safety policies.

Congress
117

Number
S - 62

Introduced on
2021-01-27

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/27/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill sets forth requirements related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard must implement regulations related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels, including during severe weather emergencies.

The Coast Guard may require operators of amphibious passenger vessels to provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or other means, to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew.

Additionally, the Coast Guard must implement interim safety policies or other measures to require operators of amphibious passenger vessels operating in U.S. waters comply with certain requirements, including to remove the canopies of such vessels for waterborne operations, or to install in such vessels canopies that do not restrict either horizontal or vertical escape by passengers in the event of flooding or sinking.

The bill also sets forth requirements for vessels that are not in compliance with the regulations and interim safety policies.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to implement recommendations related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Transportation and Public Works

Potential Impact
Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Arkansas
Atmospheric science and weather
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency communications systems
Fires
Floods and storm protection
Government studies and investigations
Marine and inland water transportation
Missouri
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Washington State

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/23/2021

Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill sets forth requirements related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard must implement regulations related to the safety of amphibious passenger v...


Latest Action1/27/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.