Coast Guard Gets a Major Upgrade: New Funding, Tech, and Policies in 2025 Authorization Act

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 is a massive piece of legislation that touches almost every aspect of Coast Guard and maritime operations. It's a mix of funding boosts, policy updates, and mandates for studies that could reshape how the Coast Guard operates for years to come.

Funding the Front Lines

The bill authorizes funding for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This includes everything from retired pay and benefits (Section 101) to operating expenses. Think of it as the Coast Guard's budget for the next two years, ensuring they have the cash to keep things running and invest in key areas.

Manning Up and Modernizing

Beyond just dollars, the bill adjusts the authorized levels of military personnel and training (Section 102). It also tackles how the Coast Guard buys and upgrades its equipment, aiming for more efficiency and lower long-term costs (Sections 111-114). For instance, there’s a big focus on extending the life of existing assets, which could mean more upgrades and refits rather than buying brand-new ships.

Real-World Radar: Impacts You Might See

• Great Lakes Icebreaking: If you're in the shipping industry or rely on goods moving through the Great Lakes, this one's for you. The bill pushes for a new icebreaker and a pilot program to test icebreaking capabilities (Section 115). This could mean smoother sailing during icy winters.
• Tsunami Preparedness: For Coast Guard personnel stationed in tsunami zones, the bill mandates location-specific preparedness plans (Section 116). This is about ensuring everyone's safety and keeping operations running in case of a natural disaster.
• More Transparency: The public will get more info on drug and person interdictions (Section 117). It is a move towards accountability and letting people know what the Coast Guard is up to.

People Power: Personnel Changes

The bill makes several updates to family leave policies, authorizes maternity uniform allowances, and establishes a behavioral health technician program (Sections 131-134). It also creates a plan for joint training between the U.S. and Taiwan Coast Guards (Section 137), and it expands access to counseling, focusing on the health and support of Coast Guard members.

Academy Overhaul

The Coast Guard Academy gets a lot of attention in this bill. There are changes to the Board of Visitors, a study on academy oversight (Section 138), and mandates for electronic locking mechanisms on cadet rooms (Section 139). This all comes in the wake of concerns about sexual assault and harassment, aiming to create a safer and more accountable environment.

Shipping and Navigation Overhaul

Title II dives deep into the nitty-gritty of maritime regulations. It revises merchant mariner credentialing (Sections 201-213), making it (hopefully) easier to get certified while maintaining safety standards. It also addresses autonomous maritime systems (Sections 231-232), setting up an advisory committee and pilot program. This is a big deal as the industry starts to embrace self-driving ships.

Other key changes include:

• Stricter safety regulations: Think tougher rules on negligent vessel operation and security risks (Sections 221-222).
• Better traffic management: Improved monitoring of vessel traffic and measures to protect underwater pipelines (Sections 241-243).
• Crackdown on abandoned vessels: New penalties for ditching your boat (Section 252).

Oil Spill Response: Ready for Anything?

Title III focuses on oil spill prevention and response. It mandates regular inspections of response equipment (Section 301) and streamlines legal challenges during oil removal (Section 303). It also requires a web-based app for reporting spills (Section 305), making it easier to report incidents quickly.

Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment

Title IV is all about tackling sexual assault and harassment within the Coast Guard. It's a direct response to past issues and includes:

• Independent reviews: The Government Accountability Office will be looking closely at the Coast Guard's reforms (Section 401).
• Better evidence handling: New policies for retaining and accessing evidence related to sexual misconduct (Section 402).
• "Safe-to-report" policy: Encouraging reporting by protecting individuals from punishment for minor related misconduct (Section 404).
• Accountability for offenders: Even after leaving the service, a former member's discharge can be downgraded for sexual assault or harassment (Section 407).

Studies Galore

Title V is basically a to-do list for the Comptroller General, ordering studies on everything from the Coast Guard's research programs (Section 501) to housing allowances (Section 507). These studies could lead to significant changes down the line, but it all depends on what they find and whether Congress acts on the recommendations.

NOAA's Turn

Finally, Title VII focuses on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Key changes include:

• New leadership requirements: The head of NOAA's Commissioned Officer Corps will need Senate confirmation and experience as a captain or higher (Section 701).
• Modernizing the fleet: A biennial plan to keep NOAA's vessels up-to-date (Section 701).
• Updates to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty: Streamlining regulations and protecting sensitive fishing data (Sections 711-715).

This bill is a lot to digest, but it's clear that the Coast Guard is in for some major changes. Whether it's smoother sailing, safer workplaces, or better environmental protection, the impacts will be felt across the maritime world.