Article "ripped" from U.S.C.G.'s Website
Executive Overview :
Over 95% of our nations
imports and exports are carried by ship. The majority of these
ships are foreign flagged. In order to allow for the
uninterrupted flow of commerce, while simultaneously ensuring for
the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine
environment; a uniform, international set of standards applicable
to ships worldwide is necessary. The CG is the lead agency for
the development of these standards, and to ensure uniformity,
should be the single focal point internationally as advances in
marine safety and environmental protection occur. However, in
order to develop sound international and domestic standards,
input from the States is critical, and the CG actively seeks that
input.
Objective : The United States must speak with one voice in developing safety and environmental protection standards applicable to ships in international trade. The CG, working in close cooperation with affected coastal states, is our nations lead agency in the development of these standards.
Background :
Since the founding of the U.S., interstate
and international shipping has been regulated by the federal
government, largely to the exclusion of the States. Since the
sinking of the TITANIC in 1912, vessel regulation has taken an
increasingly international approach, with worldwide standards
developed by the International Maritime Organization, a branch of
the United Nations (U.N.), based in London. In the last 160
years, various States have attempted to regulate ships in
interstate and international trade. With very limited exceptions,
these State regulatory efforts have been found preempted by the
Courts.
Points :
Proposed Action / The Course Ahead :
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