Proposed Coast Guard Shore-to-Ship Communication Network

The Frame

What this does

This amendment would create a new federal mandate for the Coast Guard to contract with private entities to manage maritime messaging, potentially changing how safety and navigation data is delivered to vessels across all U.S. coastlines.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Coast Guard

The agency is mandated to procure a services contract and establish new messaging procedures.

Vessel operators

Vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems would receive direct safety and security messaging from the new network.

Private/non-Federal station operators

Existing operators may be integrated into the new network through the Coast Guard's services contract.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

Senator Booker has proposed an amendment to the 2027 defense authorization bill that would require the Coast Guard to establish a nationwide shore-to-ship maritime communication network. The network would be operated through a private and would broadcast safety, security, and environmental information to vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This amendment would create a new federal mandate for the Coast Guard to contract with private entities to manage maritime messaging, potentially changing how safety and navigation data is delivered to vessels across all U.S. coastlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the proposed maritime communication network?

The network is designed to support navigation and provide critical safety, security, environmental, and waterways management information directly to vessels equipped with Automatic Identification Systems.

Will this replace existing private maritime communication stations?

No. The amendment directs the Coast Guard to leverage existing non-Federal stations and avoid duplicating coverage, provided those stations meet the network's technical requirements.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

congressional_record

Senate Scheduling Update for S. 4784

The Senate has agreed to delay the vote on a cloture motion for S. 4784 until after the confirmation vote for the Schwartz nomination. This procedural

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Public-Private Infrastructure Integration

The amendment explicitly mandates the integration of existing private infrastructure into a federal network to prevent duplication, signaling a preference for leveraging current assets over building new ones.

Coast Guard Federal Communications Commission

Connected Entities

organizationDepartment of Defense“The department whose fiscal year 2027 appropriations are addressed in the underl”Map →

organizationDepartment of Energy“The department whose defense activities are addressed in the underlying bill.”Map →

organizationCoast Guard“The agency responsible for procuring the contract and managing the network.”Map →

organizationFederal Communications Commission“Agency that issues permits for existing shore-to-ship stations.”Map →

personMr. Booker“U.S. Senator who submitted the amendment.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level