PUBLIC LAW 95-474—OCT. 17, 1978
92 STAT. 1471
Public Law 95-474 95th Congress An Act To amend the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, and for other purposes.
Oct. 17, 1978 [S. 682]
Be it enacted iy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may Port and Tanker Safety Act of be cited as the "Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1978". SEC. 2. PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT.
1978. 33 USC 1221 note.
The Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-340, 33 USC 1221 86 Stat. 424) is amended to read as follows:
note. Ports and "This Act may be cited as the 'Ports and Waterways Safety Act'. Waterways Safety Act. "SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 33 USC 1221 note. "The Congress finds and declares— "(a) that navigation and vessel safety and protection of the 33 USC 1221. "SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
marine environment are matters of major national importance; "(b) that increased vessel traffic in the Nation's ports and waterways creates substantial hazard to life, property, and the marine environment; "(c) that increased supervision of vessel and port operations is necessary in order to— " (1) reduce the possibility of vessel or cargo loss, or damage to life, property, or the marine environment; "(2) prevent damage to structures in, on, or immediately adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States or the resources within such waters; "(3) insure that vessels operating in the navigable waters of the United States shall comply with all applicable standards and requirements for vessel construction, equipment, manning, and operati«s>(ial procedures; and "(4) insure that the handling of dangerous articles and substances on the structures in, on, or immediately adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States is conducted in ^ accordance with established standards and requirements; and "(d) that advance planning is critical in determining proper and adequate protective measures for the Nation's ports and waterways and the marine environment, with continuing consultation with other Federal agencies, State representatives, affected users, and the general public, in the development and implementation of such measures. "SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.—As used in this Act, unless the context other- 33 USC 1222. wise requires—• "(1) 'Marine environment' means the naviga^ble waters of the United States and the land and resources therein and thereunder; the waters and fishery resources of any area over which the United States asserts exclusive fishery management authority; the seabed and subsoil of the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States, the resources thereof and the waters superjacent thereto; and the recreational, economic, and scenic values of such waters and resources.
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