FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DHS - 704 - National Towing Safety Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Towing Safety Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Homeland Security
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	704
Original Establishment Date	12/12/1989	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assis...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	18
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	DFO
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mr.
Current Charter Date	10/15/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Matthew
Date Of Renewal Charter	10/15/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date	9/30/2029	Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Layman
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 372-1421
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	202-372-8382
Specific Establishment Authority*	§ 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-282, 132 Stat. 4192 and is codified in 46 U.S.C. § 15108	Designated Federal Officer Email*	matthew.d.layman@uscg.mil
Effective Date Of Authority*	10/6/1980
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (NTSAC) provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on towing industry issues relating to shallow draft inland harbors and coastal waterway with particular emphasis on operations, navigation and towing safety.
How is membership balanced?*	NTSAC is mandated by statute and consists of eighteen (18) members appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Members are as follows: seven members representing the barge and towing industry, reflecting a geographical balance; one member representing the offshore mineral and oil supply vessel industry; one member representing holders of active licensed Masters and Pilots of towing vessels with experience on Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; one member representing the holders of active licensed Masters of towing vessels in offshore service; one member representing Masters who are active ship-docking or operating harbor towing vessels; one member representing licensed and unlicensed towing vessel engineers having formal training and experience; two members representing each of the following groups: a)port districts, authorities or terminal operators, b) shippers (of whom at least one shall be engaged in the shipment of oil hazardous materials by barge); and two members of the general public.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	NTSAC is scheduled to meet twice annually or more often as needs dictate. Sub-committees may meet at least once between meetings, and as often as monthly to complete their assigned tasks. Through these meetings, the Committee maintains close ties with industry experts. NTSAC represents this body of expertise essential to successful development of US Coast Guard initiatives in areas concerning towing operations, safety, security, and environmental protection. NTSAC held two in-person meetings in FY24.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The diverse experience and expertise available from the Committee make NTSAC's advice invaluable. There are no other sources within DHS that have the professional expertise to contribute to the towing-specific vital issues discussed in the NTSAC forum.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A; all meetings are open to the public.
Recommendation Remarks	Under 46 U.S.C. § 15109(m), the Committee is authorized to continue until September 30, 2029.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	Recommendations have resulted in updated national policy documents to include MSIBs, Policy Letters, and MMS Work Instructions.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	Not Applicable	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	The US Coast Guard implementation of NTSAC's expert recommendations will lead to more efficient use of the nation's waterways by the towing industry.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	48	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	This year we received 35 recommendations.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	30.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	USCG is processing recommendations and taking them for consideration.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	70.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	The Coast Guard is updating policy documents and conducting trainings that partially implement committee recommendations.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Committee receives feedback in the form of briefings during public meetings with the represented industry, regulations formulated, policy published, alteration of agency business practices, and legislative changes proposed.	Narrative Description*	The National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (NTSAC) continues its work in Support of the Secretary of DHS goals and the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard business strategies. Specifically, NTSAC supports the goal of promoting Homeland Security by strengthening the safety, security and integrity of the maritime mass-transportation network vital to the national economy. Under the Marine Transportation System strategy, the Committee is constantly evaluating and addressing both acute and emergent Towing Vessel requirements to ensure the towing industry maintains robust capacity to meet the national economic and security needs of the nation.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/12/2025 12:43 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

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