§ 2073. Navigation Safety Advisory Council
(a)
Establishment; membership; Council panels; publication in Federal Register
The Secretary shall establish a Navigation Safety 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,
(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. The Secretary shall, not less often than once a year, publish notice in the Federal Register for solicitation of nominations for membership on the Council.
(b)
Functions and purpose of Council
The Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to the prevention of collisions, rammings, and groundings, including the Inland Rules of the Road, the International Rules of the Road, navigation regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving safety, and aids to navigation systems. 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 twice 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)
Executive secretary; staff; travel expenses and status of members
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, while away from their home or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section
5703 of title
5. Payments under this section shall not render members of the Council officers or employees of the United States for any purpose.
(d)
Termination of Council
Unless extended by subsequent Act of Congress, the Council shall terminate on September 30, 2010.