# § 15102. National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee
**(a)** **Establishment.—** There is established a National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).
**(b)** **Function.—** The Committee shall—
**(1)** advise and provide recommendations in writing to the Secretary on matters relating to the safe operation of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies, including the matters of—
**(A)** navigation safety;
**(B)** safety equipment and procedures;
**(C)** marine insurance;
**(D)** vessel design, construction, maintenance, and operation; and
**(E)** personnel qualifications and training;
**(2)** review regulations proposed under chapter 45 of this title (during preparation of the regulations); and
**(3)** review marine casualties and investigations of vessels covered by chapter 45 of this title and make recommendations to the Secretary to improve safety and reduce vessel casualties.
**(c)** **Membership.—**
**(1)** **In general.—** The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.
**(2)** **Expertise.—** Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.
**(3)** **Representation.—** Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:
**(A)** 10 members shall represent the commercial fishing industry and—
**(i)** as a group, shall together reflect a regional and representational balance; and
**(ii)** as individuals, shall each have experience—
**(I)** in the operation of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies; or
**(II)** as a crew member or processing line worker on a fish processing vessel.
**(B)** 1 member shall represent naval architects and marine engineers.
**(C)** 1 member shall represent manufacturers of equipment for vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.
**(D)** 1 member shall represent education and training professionals related to fishing vessel, fish processing vessel, and fish tender vessel safety and personnel qualifications.
**(E)** 1 member shall represent underwriters that insure vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.
**(F)** 1 member shall represent owners of vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies.
**(G)** 3 members shall represent the general public and, to the extent possible, shall include—
**(i)** an independent expert or consultant in maritime safety;
**(ii)** a marine surveyor who provides services to vessels to which chapter 45 of this title applies; and
**(iii)** a person familiar with issues affecting fishing communities and the families of fishermen.
**(d)** **Quorum.—** A quorum of 10 members is required to send any written recommendations from the Committee to the Secretary.
**(e)** **Savings Clause.—** Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from taking emergency action to ensure safety and preservation of life at sea.
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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title VI, § 601(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4281; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII [LXXXIII], § 8335(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4706.)
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
2021—Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “and provide recommendations in writing to” after “advise” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(3). , (ii), added par. (3).
Subsecs. (d), (e). , added subsecs. (d) and (e).