Safer Seas Act
This bill addresses sexual assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. maritime industry.
Among other provisions, the bill
- requires the U.S. Coast Guard to revoke or suspend a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document to an individual who has been convicted of sexual assault within the previous 10 years and to revoke or suspend such credentials to an individual who has been convicted of sexual harassment within the previous 5 years;
- provides protection of seaman against discrimination for those who report or intend to report sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents;
- directs the Coast Guard to promulgate regulations related to possession and consumption of alcohol by crewmembers aboard documented vessels;
- requires non-passenger carrying, ocean-going, commercial vessels to install and maintain a video surveillance system with audio capability in areas adjacent to bedrooms and limit access to the surveillance to law enforcement officials and victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment; and
- creates new reporting mandates and procedures for crew and vessel owners to report sexual assault or sexual harassment.