There are still areas of conflict between Federal and State boating 

 laws, and between Federal and National Park Service regulations cov- 

 ering navigable waters in national parks. 



It was recommended that the Coast Guard establish a broad and 

 continuing campaign to promote uniform State boating safety laws 

 with minimum requirements equal to those of the Federal Motorboat 

 Act of 1940, as amended (46 USC 526). Also, where minimum re- 

 quirements have been established by enactment, Coast Guard should 

 seek to enter into agreements for enforcement by local authorities. 



It was recommiended that uniform boating safety regulations also 

 be established with the Department of Interior (National Park Serv- 

 ice) . The Coast Guard should retain its responsibility and the right 

 to occasional review of enforcement in national parks. 



It was recoTmnended that motorboat safety education be intensified 

 through strong support of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. 



It was recorrmiended that Coast Guard ask for legislation to estab- 

 lish a self-inspection plan for owners of recreational boats and a formal 

 program to promote self-inspection in the States. In this regard, the 

 Secretary of the Treasury asked the Commandant to examine the possi- 

 bility of including such proposed legislation in the Department's legis- 

 lative program for 1965. 



Criminal Law 



Most major crimes afloat are the same as those ashore : treason, mur- 

 der, manslaughter, assault and maiming, rape, robbery, arson, kid- 

 napping, etc. Marine crime also includes piracy and barratry, the 

 destruction of a ship in order to collect insurance. Enforcement of 

 criminal law represents a minor part of the Coast Guard effort. How- 

 ever, enforcement is felt to be below standard. This is especially true 

 of barratry, where the lack of trained Coast Guard investigators makes 

 it difficult or impossible to get evidence that will justify prosecution. 



Oil Pollution 



Pollution of coastal or tidal waters by discharging oil is a serious 

 offense, dangerous to human, marine, and wildlife. The Oil Pollution 

 Act of 1924 (33 USC 431^37) and a subsequent one stemming from 

 an international agreement, the Oil Pollution Act of 1961 (PL 

 87-167), provide heavy fines and possible loss of license for violations. 

 The Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Customs also investigate and 

 make arrests for oil pollution. However, industrial operations in and 

 around port areas and the impossibility of keeping an eye on every 

 wandering tramp steamer make this difficult to enforce. 



The machinery of enforcement also hampers Coast Guard efforts. 

 Both acts are administered by the Corps of Engineers, which acts as 

 intermediary between the Coast Guard and the U.S. Attorney in build- 



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