To amend title 46, United States Code, to require merchants mariners' documents for certain seamen.
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)). Replaces provisions excepting barges with provisions excepting offshore supply vessels under 100 gross tons.
Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation 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.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.