The U.S. Coast Guard strives to have a strong interaction with both the public and industry partners. To ensure the public has knowledge of and an opportunity to participate in such interactions, the U.S. Coast Guard implements the provisions of the FACA whenever possible. The U.S. Coast Guard manages 10 statutory committees. These advisory committees represent valuable partnership with the maritime industry and play an important role by providing advice that helps the U.S. Coast Guard in meeting its statutory and regulatory oversight functions.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA or the Act), as amended, 5 U.S.C. chapter 10, governs the establishment, operation, and termination of advisory committees within the executive branch of the Federal Government. FACA defines what constitutes a Federal advisory committee and provides general procedures for the executive branch to follow for the operation of these committees. The Act helps to ensure that Congress and the public are kept informed regarding the number, purpose, membership, activities, and cost of advisory committees. GSA’s authority for administering FACA is contained in 5 U.S.C. 1006© of the Act and Executive Order (E.O.) 12024.
National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC)
The NBSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018, (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and is codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15105. The Committee operates under the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., chapter 10 and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to national boating safety.
National Chemical Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (NCTSAC)
The NCTSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year of 2018 (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15101. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe and secure marine transportation of hazardous materials.
National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (NCFSAC)
The NCFSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 60 I of the Frank Lo Biondo Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), amended by § 8335 of the William M. (Mac)Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law No. 116-283, 134 Stat 4706) and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15102. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to the safe operation of commercial fishing industry vessels, including the matters of (a)navigation safety; (b) safety equipment and procedures; (c) marine insurance; (d) vessel design, construction maintenance, and operation; (e) personnel qualifications and training; (f) review of regulations proposed under Chapter 45, Title 46 of the Unite States Code (during preparation of the regulations); and (g) review of marine casualties and investigations of vessels covered by Chapter 45, Title 46 of the Unites States Code and make recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve safety and reduce vessel casualties. Visit the Commercial Vessel Compliance site for more information.
National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC)
The NMERPAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018, (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15103. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.
National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (NMEDMAC)
The NMEDMAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018, (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15104. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to (1) medical certification determinations for the issuance of licenses, certification of registry, and merchant mariners' documents with respect to merchant mariners; (2) medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; (3) medical examiner education; and (4) medical research.
National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC)
The NMSAC was originally established in 2004 with the enactment of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004, Pub. L. 107-295. It was re-established in 2018 by the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018, (Public Law No. 115-282), and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 70112. The Committee operates under the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to national maritime security, including on enhancing the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks that may cause a transportation security incident, between relevant Federal agencies and a) State, local, and tribal governments, b) relevant public safety and emergency response agencies, c) relevant law enforcement and security organizations, d) maritime industry, e) port owners and operators, and f) terminal owners and operators.
National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NNAVSAC)
The NNAVSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018, (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15107. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to maritime collisions, rammings, and groundings; Inland Rules of the Road; International Rules of the Road; navigation regulations and equipment; routing measures; marine information, and aids to navigation systems.
Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC)
Congress established the GLPAC in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998. The Committee was established to make recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to Great Lakes Pilotage, including review of proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations and policies. The Committee operates under the authority of 46 U.S.C. § 9307 and operates under the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10).
National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC)
The NOSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192), and amended by § 8331 of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, Public Law No. 116-283. That authority is codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15106. The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the NOSAC is to provide advice to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on matters relating to activities directly involved with, or in support of, the exploration of offshore mineral and energy resources, to the extent that such matters are within the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard.
National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (NTSAC)
The NTSAC was established on December 4, 2018, by § 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192) and codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15108. The Committee operates under the provisions of Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 10) and 46 U.S.C. § 15109.
The function of the Committee is to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety.
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Send all Federal Advisory Commitee questions or comments to Melanee.G.Libby@uscg.mil.