Senator Snowe (R-ME) introduced a bill (S. 733) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2004 for the United States Coast Guard, and for other purposes. The bill, if adopted, would, among other things, allow the Coast Guard to carry out
various ports and waterways safety functions through cooperative ventures; require reports from charterers relating to a vessel's eligibility to engage in coastwise trade; clarify grounds for suspension and revocation of merchant mariner documents; allow U.S. unmanned barges operating outside the United States to be owned by non-citizens; and clarify certain law enforcement powers of Coast Guard members.
Source: HK Law