Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 3.djvu/790

 94 STAT. 3434

Rules of the Road Advisory Council. Establishment. 33 USC 2073.

Termination.

33 USC 1604.

33 USC 1605.

PUBLIC LAW 96-591—DEC. 24, 1980

Attorney General to commence an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for collection of the penalty as assessed, without regard to the amount involved, together with such other relief as may be appropriate. (d) The Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold or revoke, at the request of the Secretary, the clearance, required by section 4197 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (46 U.S.C. 91) of any vessel, the owner or operator of which is subject to any of the penalties in this section. Clearance may be granted in such cases upon the filing of a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary. SEC. 5. (a) The Secretary shall establish a Rules of the Road 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. (b) The Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to any major proposals for changes to the Inland Rules. The Council may recommend changes to the Inland Rules and International Regulations to the Secretary. 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 once 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) 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 who are not officers or employees of the United States shall, while attending meetings of the Council or while otherwise engaged in the business of the Council, be entitled to receive compensation at a rate fixed by the Secretary, not exceeding the daily equivalent of the current rate of basic pay in effect for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, including traveltime; and while away from their home or regular place of business, they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. Payments under this section shall not render members of the Council officers or employees of the United States for any purpose. (d) Unless extended by subsequent Act of Congress, the Council shall terminate 5 years from the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 6. The International Navigational Rules Act of 1977 (91 Stat. 308; 33 U.S.C. 1601), is amended as follows: (1) in section 5 by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "The International Regulations do not apply to vessels while in the waters of the United States shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States."; (2) in section 6, by adding a new subsection (d) as follows:

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