Detailed Summary

Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires all new U.S. vessels with a building contract date after enactment of this Act or delivered after August 1, 2010, and with an aggregate capacity of 600 cubic meters or more of oil used as fuel, to comply with a specified regulation requiring double hulls.

Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to order any vessel to change heading and speed if the vessel does not comply with any regulation, law, or treaty or does not satisfy port entry conditions, or if the order is justified for safety.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) continue individual port and waterway safety assessments to determine the U.S. ports, waterways, and channels needing new or improved vessel traffic management risk mitigation measures, including vessel traffic service (VTS) systems; (2) identify infrastructure requirements to improve existing or support new VTSs; and (3) review and validate the recruiting, retention, training, and expansion of the VTS personnel workforce and require basic navigation training for VTS watchstander personnel.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a medical review board to advise the Coast Guard on medical standards and guidelines for merchant mariner physical qualifications, medical examiner education, and medical research; and (2) establish and maintain a national registry of medical examiners qualified to perform examinations and issue medical certificates.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/26/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1096.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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