33 U.S.C. § 891b: Fleet replacement and modernization Plan

To carry out the program authorized in section 891a of this title , the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a replacement and modernization plan for the NOAA fleet not later than 180 days after December 18, 2025 , and every 2 years thereafter. the number of vessels in operation in the NOAA fleet as of the date of submission of the Plan, a description of the status of those vessels, and a statement of the planned and anticipated service life of those vessels; a plan with respect to operation, maintenance, and replacement of vessels described in paragraph (1), including the schedule for maintenance or replacement and anticipated funding requirements; the number of vessels proposed to be constructed by NOAA; the number of vessels proposed to be acquired, leased, or chartered by NOAA; the number of vessels, or days at sea, that can be obtained by using the vessels of the UNOLS; the number of vessels that will be made available to NOAA by the Secretary of the Navy, the Director of the National Science Foundation, or any other Federal official, and the terms and conditions for the availability of those vessels; the proposed acquisition of modern scientific instrumentation for the NOAA fleet, including acoustic systems, data transmission positioning and communication systems, physical, chemical, and meteorological oceanographic systems, and data acquisition and processing systems; a plan for using small vessels, uncrewed systems, and partnerships to augment the requirements of NOAA for days at sea; the number of officers of the NOAA commissioned officer corps and professional wage mariners needed to operate and maintain the NOAA fleet, including the vessels identified under paragraph (3); and current and potential challenges with meeting the requirements under paragraph (9) and proposed solutions to those challenges. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may not procure vessels that are more than 65 feet in length without the approval of the Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Marine and Aviation Operations. “This title may be cited as the ‘Fisheries Survey Vessel Authorization Act of 2000’. The Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations, may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, or charter, and equip fishery survey vessels in accordance with this section and the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act ( 33 U.S.C. 891 et seq.). staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days; conducting fishery population surveys using hydroacoustic, longlining, deep water, and pelagic trawls, and other necessary survey techniques; and conducting other work necessary to provide fishery managers with the accurate and timely data needed to prepare and implement fishery management plans; and have a hull that meets the International Council for Exploration of the Sea standard regarding acoustic quietness. To carry out this section there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003.”