Public Law 92–402

acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of vessels and construction-differential subsidy and cost of national defense features incident to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of ships, $280,000,000, of which $30,000,000 is for the purchase of modern or reconstructed United States-flag vessels for lay-up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet;

payment of obligations incurred for ship operation subsidies, $232,000,000;

expenses necessary for research and development activities (including reimbursement of the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund for losses resulting from expenses of experimental ship operation), $30,000,000;

reserve fleet expenses, $3,900,000;

maritime training at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, $7,854,000; and

financial assistance to State marine schools, $2,290,000.

By inserting after the words “except that” the words “in the context of section 607 of this Act concerning capital

84 Stat. 1026.

46 USC 1177.

construction funds and”.

By striking out the words “to the extent provided in uniform regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce”.

By inserting Before the period at the end thereof the words “in their operation or in competing for charters, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to

46 USC 1114.

section 204(b) of this Act”.

Any State may apply to the Secretary of Commerce (hereafter referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) for Liberty ships which, but for the operation of this Act, would be designated by the Secretary for scrapping if the State intends to sink such ships for use as an offshore artificial reef for the conservation of marine life.

A State shall apply for Liberty ships under this Act in such manner and form as the Secretary shall prescribe, but such application shall include at least (1) the location at which the State proposes to sink the ships, (2) a certificate from the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, that the proposed use of the particular vessel or vessels requested by the State will be compatible with water quality standards and other appropriate environmental protection requirements, and (3) statements and estimates with respect to the conservation goals which are sought to be achieved by use of the ships.

Before taking any action with respect to an application submitted under this Act, the Secretary shall provide copies of the application to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Defense, and any other appropriate Federal officer, and shall consider comments and views of such officers with respect to the application.

the State gives to the Secretary such assurances as he deems necessary that such ships will be utilized and maintained only for the purposes stated in the application and, when sunk, will be charted and marked as a hazard to navigation;

the State agrees to secure any licenses or permits which may be required under the provisions of any other applicable Federal law;

the State agrees to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary shall require in order to protect the marine environment and other interests of the United States; and

the transfer would be at no cost to the Government with the State taking delivery of such Liberty ships at fleetside of the National Defense Deserve Fleet in an “as is—where is” condition.