124 STAT. 2927 PUBLIC LAW 111–281—OCT. 15, 2010 Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331(a)) for operations in support of explo- ration, or flow-testing and stimulation of wells, for offshore mineral or energy resources in the Beaufort Sea or the Chukchi Sea adjacent to Alaska— (1) for a 1-year period from the date the lessee gives the Secretary of Transportation written notice of the commence- ment of such exploration drilling if the Secretary determines, after publishing notice in the Federal Register, that insufficient vessels documented under section 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code, are reasonably available and suitable for these support operations and all such reasonably available and suit- able vessels are employed in support of such operations; and (2) for an additional period until such vessels are available if the Secretary of Transportation determines— (A) that, by April 30 of the year following the commencement of exploration drilling, the lessee has entered into a binding agreement to employ a suitable vessel or vessels to be documented under section 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code, in sufficient numbers and with sufficient suitability to replace any foreign-flag vessel or vessels operating under this section; and (B) after publishing notice in the Federal Register, that insufficient vessels documented under section 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code, are reasonably available and suitable for these support operations and all such reasonably available and suitable vessels are employed in support of such operations. (b) EXPIRATION.—Irrespective of the year in which the commit- ment referred to in subsection (a)(2)(A) occurs, foreign-flag anchor handling vessels may not be employed for the setting, relocation, or recovery of anchors or other mooring equipment of a mobile offshore drilling unit after December 31, 2017. (c) LESSEE DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘lessee’’ means the holder of a lease (as defined in section 1331(c) of title 43, United States Code), who, prior to giving the written notice in subsection (a)(1), has entered into a binding agreement to employ a suitable vessel documented or to be documented under 12111(d) of title 46, United States Code. (d) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in subsection (a) may be con- strued to authorize the employment in the coastwise trade of a vessel that does not meet the requirements of 12111 of title 46, United States Code. SEC. 307. ARCTIC MARINE SHIPPING ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION. (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to ensure safe and secure maritime shipping in the Arctic including the availability of aids to navigation, vessel escorts, spill response capability, and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic. (b) INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION AGREEMENTS.— To carry out the purpose of this section, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating is encouraged to enter into negotiations through the International Maritime Organization to conclude and execute agreements to promote coordi- nated action among the United States, Russia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and other seafaring and Arctic nations to ensure, in the Arctic— (1) placement and maintenance of aids to navigation; 14 USC 92 note. Notice. Deadline. Contracts. Notice.
